Review of Mates

Mates (2023)
7/10
Mates was subpar but not horrible
23 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
Dialogue driven. I thought the dialogue was good. This was not a bad movie, it simply wasn't LGBTQ in its focus but rather friendship focuses, or journey focused mostly. It had more of a gay themes film vibe for the bulk of the film. And I think the movie achieves a purpose of how we bungle things gay or straight and clearly defines structure or a rather a paradigm of some people's friendships. How they work: there is an alpha, a jovial one, one who sort of knows their self but is self conscious, etc.

Adam (the one who trepasses into the group) is a free loving spirit. He feels, he knows, he says, and his family is aware that he is not straight. He is searching for something. He's just young and maybe naive, but not in a harmful way. I think he's just overly friendly and occasionally that could get someone in the real world in trouble.

Nathan is kind and sweet natured. He does just about everything Mark tells him to. He's has to grow out of that (or maybe he is if only too slowly). If only so he stays happy. He wants everyone to get along and I understand that. Towards the end, I see more of a self establishment of his spirit and it makes me happy. It'll take growing pains but I see him achieving heights, he has to learn to have difficult discussions.

Mark is a bully, vocally aggressive. I like the Connor waited for him to say please, when he demanded he take the empty bottles to the trash. Mark is also the type of person who says he alright with gay people but isn't due to something deep in him whether it be fear, disgust, etc. I'm not certain, but he can also be oblivious to the waves he causes. He is an abject dick and his favorite line is "this is not a debate". I think that's his father coming out through his mouth.

Connor is aware of himself but not as confident as I initially thought. When pressured he caves, I liked in the beginning that he did not. But I find him to be adorable and consciously friendly. He is figuring out who he is. I like that he has the ability to be outspoken. I think he'll only get stronger.

Well done. I walked away feeling like my time was not wasted.
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