Let me start first by saying that as a review, 6 of 10 is not a low score. I like a lot of movies, and love a lot of them for a number of different reasons. So a 6 is a good score for me, while leaving room to move into films that resonate on a more significant level.
The Overnight is not a slapstick comedy. And though it has some shock value to today's audience, it is not about that, either. It's an honest, introspective movie about relationships, complacency, complexes, and identity. The narrative plays out in a very limited time frame. The adjustment and surprise we as the audience take in in the (incredibly short) duration of the movie, is echoed in the equally awkward scenario played out by the protagonists.
Love, sex, intimacy, self-loathing. intimidation and desire are all at play in this movie. And I think it's fair to say that the situation is framed as uncomfortable. The general viewing audience (myself included) will find humour in the incredulous nature of the setups.
But there's more to it than this.
Out western society is not liberated. We have fears and hangups about who we are as partners and lovers. We judge ourselves and others, and within that yardstick, it's easy to lose sight that we're all of us just people trying to find our own happiness.
I imagine many people will be put off/offended by the homosexual overtones of this movie. But it's for exactly those reasons that I applaud it.
The heart of this movie is about acceptance. Finding yourself; your place in this world; the validity of being who you are without judgment. The Overnight lets us view this through a humorous setup, but the truth of it remains: we all want to love, and be loved, without issue or compromise. In a very simple way, this film allows us to transcend etiquette and gender, and maybe privately acknowledge all of us need love, understanding, and genuine sexual approval in order to be fulfilled.
Even as I rate it 6 of 10, this movie sends a strong, positive message I stand by. It's a brave, sincere and honest film that addresses a part of humanity we're taught to ignore or deny. I highly recommend this movie.
The Overnight is not a slapstick comedy. And though it has some shock value to today's audience, it is not about that, either. It's an honest, introspective movie about relationships, complacency, complexes, and identity. The narrative plays out in a very limited time frame. The adjustment and surprise we as the audience take in in the (incredibly short) duration of the movie, is echoed in the equally awkward scenario played out by the protagonists.
Love, sex, intimacy, self-loathing. intimidation and desire are all at play in this movie. And I think it's fair to say that the situation is framed as uncomfortable. The general viewing audience (myself included) will find humour in the incredulous nature of the setups.
But there's more to it than this.
Out western society is not liberated. We have fears and hangups about who we are as partners and lovers. We judge ourselves and others, and within that yardstick, it's easy to lose sight that we're all of us just people trying to find our own happiness.
I imagine many people will be put off/offended by the homosexual overtones of this movie. But it's for exactly those reasons that I applaud it.
The heart of this movie is about acceptance. Finding yourself; your place in this world; the validity of being who you are without judgment. The Overnight lets us view this through a humorous setup, but the truth of it remains: we all want to love, and be loved, without issue or compromise. In a very simple way, this film allows us to transcend etiquette and gender, and maybe privately acknowledge all of us need love, understanding, and genuine sexual approval in order to be fulfilled.
Even as I rate it 6 of 10, this movie sends a strong, positive message I stand by. It's a brave, sincere and honest film that addresses a part of humanity we're taught to ignore or deny. I highly recommend this movie.