You Are Not Alone
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.98 You Save: $10.97 (55%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.98 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of You Are Not Alone
Movie Review: You Are Not Alone.
Summary: 5 Stars
I happened to stumble across this DVD while searching through the pages of "Amazon.com recommends such and such movie for you based on your previous purchases." After reading the review, I figured I would give it a shot. As soon as the opening scene of the movie scrolled by my eyes, I knew it was a risk well worth it.
The story follows numerous young Danish boys in a boarding school in the late 70's. Taboo is thrown out of the window in this one as we see children discussing many "adult" topics such as pornography, masturbation, homosexuality, nudity and first time sexual encounters. However, the plot of this movie is in no way based around young sexual encounters, but instead focused around the relationship between Bo, a 15 year old boy coming to terms with his sexuality, and Kim, the 12 year old son of the boarding school's headmaster, just coming into his own in general.
Taboo aside, the story is extremely touching, especially for a first love. The scenes that many consider controversial (a shower scene with full frontal nudity between the boys and a scene where many underage children become intoxicated) showcases nothing but innocent affection and curiosity.
I feel as if many youth (gay or not) could benefit from seeing this movie as it really proves that even if one is different that it is just fine to march to the beat of your own drum and dare to be controversial. Many people won't have what Kim and Bo had in their lifetime and those lucky enough to have something similar will appreciate the manner in which it is portrayed.
I highly recommend this movie if you enjoy stories about children, love stories, or a mixture of the both.
I do not recommend this movie if you are close minded, homophobic, or are otherwise uncomfortable with children "thinking outside the box" or displaying "adult-like interests."
Movie Review: Pioneering "coming of age" film for all
Summary: 5 Stars
Like so many films that have "gay" themes, this film is wrongly seen by some as a homosexual "coming of age" story. But it is not that simple. As shown very realistically in this beautiful movie, there is a lot of confusion among kids--and maybe there is more today than there was in the late '70s when this movie was made. Anyone who ever suffered from that confusion, whether arising from sexual, social, or other anxieties, will enjoy this film. It truly has a little of everything.
Is it a little too "erotic" for American sensibilities? Maybe, but those who are realistic about sexual experimentation will not have any problems with the very tastefully suggestive depictions of that. The young actors, male and female, are charming and convincing.
And there are brief adventures of the kind that typically occur in boarding schools and novels or films about them. But they are done
well and also reveal something of a "European" view of how various crises and problems in this kind of setting might be handled.
Grady Harp's review is right on target. The two protagonists, Kim and Bo, represent not necessarily gay kids, but any kids who are lonely, confused, alienated, and yearning for love and acceptance. They could be "geeks" or any other minority. And the depictions of "bullying" in schools and other settings, in a film from over twenty-five years ago, are eerily prescient.
But there are also many scenes of understanding and solidarity among the kids that are heart-warming. The final scene is really moving, especially when you understand that the whole school is behind it.
It's too bad that the DVD release does not offer many "extras", but it's a bargain.
I even like the "pop" music.
Movie Review: Plot Synopsis
Summary: 5 Stars
I wish to correct the misperceptions about this film that most people seem to have about this outstanding movie.
This film focused on bonding that goes on between teen boys. There were no overt homosexual statements or acts in this film although those who are so inclined could view it as homoeroticism that appeals to gay interests.
The nude shower scene went into the subject of genital hygiene and sex education. It's too bad that this scene didn't go into more details about masturbation as an alternative to wet dreams and heterosexual pregnancy.
The scene of the two boys kissing was part of a school play that showed how the students viewed present society's hypocrisy in practicing the Ten Commandments. I was especially impressed about their take on national and religious hypocrisy on the commandment of `Thou shalt not kill'.
The closest thing that came to the subject of homosexuality was Lars' bi-sexual encounters, which is experimentation. Homosexuality is an exclusive life style; experimentation does not fit into that definition. To label Lars or anybody else as homosexual without any evidence of it is harmful to teenagers that form a close friendship with each other.
I recommend this film as mandatory viewing for all parents of teenage boys. Put aside your religious and societal bias and you'll learn why boys strike out against hypocrisy that's imposed on them.
Movie Review: Bold series of vignettes
Summary: 5 Stars
You Are Not Alone is a subtitled Danish film that was done in the mid-1970's. By the current standards in the USA the film is very bold in subject matter (the sexuality of children and teens) and depiction of frontal nudity of young boys and teen boys.
The film does not have a strong story line rather than a stringing together of vignettes in the lives of boys at a "continuation" school (residential school for troubled boys) during several semesters at the school. There are scenes of idyllic picnics, skinny dipping in a local river, a protest demonstration, shower scenes and so on. One main story line is of a romance that develops between the main character, Bo, a curly haired charmer and the headmaster's young son.
The boys are very good looking and do a creditable job of acting.
In researching about the film I found an interview with the director in which he stated that the boy actors felt that he did not go far enough in depicting their nudity and sexuality - the boys encouraged him to include more nude and romantic scenes.
Movie Review: You are not alone
Summary: 5 Stars
The DVD version of you are not alone is an improvement on the VHS version. Better clearer subtitles, much better picture quality. The relationship that blossoms between Bo and Kim is very realistic, passionate and touching. The movie gives glimpses of the other boys relationships, such as the boy making out in the cellar with an older girl staff member and later he is seen by BO french kissing and making love in the shower with another slightly older boy, it showcases the boys bi-sexual identity.
Though most of the movie follows Kim and Bo. The shower scene with Bo and Kim is a favorite for me as is the final scene with them french kissing, I like this because I know very few American film makers would touch the subject let alone have a nude scene. It is my favorite coming of age movie or gay youth movie. Watch with an open mind and enjoy. The closing scene is very passionate, lots of kissing and hugging, just the thing to make the conservative anti gay crowd reel. I love it.
Steve F.