THOSE PEOPLE
US, 2015, 89 minutes, Colour.
Jonathan Gordon, Jason Ralph, Haaz Sleiman, Britt Lower, Megghann Fahey, Chris Conroy, Daniel Gerroll.
Directed by Joey Kuhn.
Those People seems a derogatory title, whether referring to the wealthy New York socialite or to gain men and women.
The film is a focus on gay characters and their relationships, presented with some sensitivity, personalities, relationships, self-discovery, difficulties in being disparaged in society.
The setting is New York, the focus on Charlie (Jonathan Gordon), 26, continuing studies, skill as a painter, enjoying the company of his friends (and a very strong dependence on Gilbert and Sullivan music and lyrics). When he meets a musician in a bar and is attracted, his surprised to discover that he is a professional concert pianist (Haaz Leiman) and they begin an affair. This raises many difficulties in his relationship, generally platonic, with his best friend Sebastian (Jason Ralph).
Most of the film is a kind of close-up on Charlie and his emotions, his relationships, his dilemma is, the choices that he has to make.
1. The New York story? New York society?
2. A story from the New York a society? Characters, way of life, the arts? The musical score? Drawing on Gilbertson Sullivans operators, the Modern Major-General? The Gondoliers, the Mikado, HMS Pinafore?
3. Charlie’s story? His age, 26, studies, wealthy, the devotion of his mother, the early death of his father? Background of school? Friendship with Sebastian? Outing Sebastian at school? His consciousness of his sexual orientation? His paintings, the exhibition, painting Sebastian? His friendship with Sebastian, dependence? Joking recitations of Gilbert and Sullivan? Going to the bar, the encounter with Tim, the attraction?
4. The background to his friends, Sebastian and his father, the financial deals, prison, his visits? The dependence on Charlie but no sexual encounters? Bringing friends home? Charlie upset, the invitation to the threesome, his walking out? The encounter with his father, his father’s suicide? His depression, knowing what his father had done and doing nothing? The reconciliation with Charlie?
5. The other friends, the women, their jobs, struggles? The friend from work, participating in the parties and jokes?
6. Tim, his background, angry with his father, in the club, the discovery of his classical music talent, performance, the invitation to go to San Francisco? The attraction to Charlie, their times together, sexual encounters? The consequences? Tim and his being jealous of Sebastian?
7. The final question, the dinner together, Charlie going to San Francisco with Tim, his mother upset at her not telling him, Charlie and his dilemma with Tim and Sebastian, going to say goodbye?
8. Sympathetic insights into the characters, their lives, issues of sexuality and orientation?
