Change Your Image
percvy
Reviews
River Fork (2021)
Good but short
This short film follows a young trans man recovering from top surgery, who recalls an evening from before he transitioned. In the memory his hoyfreind tries on a dress and some lipstick. I think this is when his "egg was cracked", begginging his transition. Oona Roche does a good job, but looks very different from the actor to play his older part, and it would have been nice to have both be played by trans men, just at different stages in their transitions. It didn't help that the same actor was used to play his boyfriend. I thought the couple would be t4t, so was shocked when in the end the boyfriend is cis, but looks exactly like his young counterpart. Very beautiful ending scene out on the lake.
Mutt (2023)
Good representation
I really enjoyed this movie. Everything from the writing to the acting to the cinematography was excellent. The movie follows Feña, a Hispanic trans man trying to navigate in New York. It takes place over a single day, creating a frenzied and hectic pace, yet the movie is jam packed with character centered moments that flesh out the cast. At some points it feels more like a play than a movie, with long back and forths between characters or monologs. Feña gets plenty of personality, and is extremely relatable to me, even in his flaws. I like how we see him interact differently to the people in his life depending on his level of intimacy with each of them. The movie is also expertly shot, with the cinematography giving the movie a distinct feeling and atmosphere. The New York setting is not overt, but utilized well, showing off architecture and art from the city. This gives the movie an artsy, indie feel, capturing the chaotic feeling of being in your mid-twenties. The writing at points between Feña and his ex John can be cringeworthy, but are grounded in the other scenes and are logical for the characters. Definalty recommend the watch, as well as Vuk LK's other work, which also centers trans leads.
Still Liam (2016)
good, but could be better
This is definatly one of Vuk LK's earlier films, by the style being less prominent. Definalty still watch it, just also go and watch Mutt on Netflix, because it hits the same themes of being transgender, just with a longer runtime. One thing Still Liam beats it in is the depiction of dysphoria, with the actor for Liam switching between Vuk himself, and a more cis-passing Thorn May. I wish that it was longer and showed the two leads getting together. I thought they were going to go back to the club at the end, but the movie leaves off with a more open-ended scene of Liam walking away. I liked the setting of a grimy gas station, I wish the film had leaned in more visually tho.
Welcome Back, Lenny (2019)
Short, mabey too short
I really liked the story of this one, I just wish it was given more time to flesh out the characters and their relationships. It is short so I recommend watching it! But be warned, it will leave you wanting more! If so Vuk LK has a new full length movie centering a trans character and his struggles, Mutt, so watch that. Lenny is a sweet character, but I wish she had more time and focus on her backstory and personality. Vuk LK's style is less distinct here, probably still under development, but is present enough to relate it to his style. The movie is less obviously set in New York, but it is still there. Overall definatly worth the watch!