...partial spoiler about general themes.
You've heard this film is about a gay boy named Pim. That label is cargo in our societal theories of life. Pim's only about 14, and he might still be a father and family man some day. I choose not to take sides on theories of sexuality here, and to blur my eyes when considering the moral vision of this film. No nudity in the film, by the way. The story's about a neglected boy whose first feelings are that he's attracted to a boy. When the boy, to whom Pim's attracted, overtly returns the attraction -- literally seduces Pim -- all Pim gets from it is a roll in the sack. The other boy's not seeing Pim as a permanent friend. Young persons are inexperienced and cannot be expected to see all that's coming from their experiences. We adults realize we do not know what's going on, and maybe we forget how much more painful it can be, or was, when we were that age.
Lots of moments of uncertainty and awkwardness are woven together into a decent film. Clearly, the loneliness is not ended by a few episodes of sexual gratification. So that moral tone does not mislead a person who watches this film to understand themselves.
What Pim, like many young persons, does not yet know is, how to grow relationships which really blossom into a friendship that lasts. Like most of us, that's just the tip of the iceberg of what he doesn't know. For some, the taboos are confusing to some members of society because bullying is widespread in society, based on anything that makes a person into a member of a minority. Their feelings could not be openly discussed with a careless majority.
You've heard this film is about a gay boy named Pim. That label is cargo in our societal theories of life. Pim's only about 14, and he might still be a father and family man some day. I choose not to take sides on theories of sexuality here, and to blur my eyes when considering the moral vision of this film. No nudity in the film, by the way. The story's about a neglected boy whose first feelings are that he's attracted to a boy. When the boy, to whom Pim's attracted, overtly returns the attraction -- literally seduces Pim -- all Pim gets from it is a roll in the sack. The other boy's not seeing Pim as a permanent friend. Young persons are inexperienced and cannot be expected to see all that's coming from their experiences. We adults realize we do not know what's going on, and maybe we forget how much more painful it can be, or was, when we were that age.
Lots of moments of uncertainty and awkwardness are woven together into a decent film. Clearly, the loneliness is not ended by a few episodes of sexual gratification. So that moral tone does not mislead a person who watches this film to understand themselves.
What Pim, like many young persons, does not yet know is, how to grow relationships which really blossom into a friendship that lasts. Like most of us, that's just the tip of the iceberg of what he doesn't know. For some, the taboos are confusing to some members of society because bullying is widespread in society, based on anything that makes a person into a member of a minority. Their feelings could not be openly discussed with a careless majority.