I caught part of this on IFC Channel on TV and was sorry I didn't tape it. For this movie, made in Canada and Alaska for BBC was one of the better films depicting relationships in the world of gay life as was another brilliant film, Brokeback Mountain. What is unfortunate is that you can't get a copy of this except for YouTube. However, I did locate Gottaseedvds and was able to obtain a good copy on DVD.
Tom Shankland is a director to watch. For he certainly did justice to this Barbara Vine novel. You can also get the book on Amazon. He brought honesty to the screen and impeccable casting in all the roles. The photography was superb, most particularly Alaska greenery and snow covered mountains. Even the interior scenes had a quality of dark somber colors and depth. Lee Williams as the lead character, Tim, excelled in this. A beautiful looking young man, almost too pretty, he brings a quiet and soft vulnerability to his role until you discover he is a tortured soul from childhood molestation. Williams is perfectly cast in a difficult role. You feel for him, even though you know his fate is obvious. As his lover, Ivo, Mark Warren, too was excellent. The two men seem to fit together, both in style and believability. Warren brings a mature, yet heartbreaking character to reality. Their love scenes take your breath away. Tastefully done, their sexual scenes were quite smoldering. This I felt more convincing than the two lovers in Brokeback Mountain, although it did make a statement.
Rounding out this excellent casting are Mikela J. Mikael as the "other" woman in the picture. There was a kind of haunting quality about her looks and performance, reminiscence of the late Deborah Kerr. I felt sorry for her, not contempt. How the weakness of the heart can cause so much turmoil within ourselves. I can tell you my story sometime. But I liked Mikela's work. Salvatore Antonio plays the contemptuous hustler boy friend who lures our hero into a plot of bad intentions. He did well in a not so likable character. He looked like a hustler. And finally there was Mark Hildreth as the man from our hero's past. He took Tim into his life as a young boy, but eventually grew out of the situation as do most boys having early homosexual experiences in their lives. Unfortunately Tim doesn't.
Enjoy this movie for what it has to say. I know I did and continue to watch it on my DVD player.
Tom Shankland is a director to watch. For he certainly did justice to this Barbara Vine novel. You can also get the book on Amazon. He brought honesty to the screen and impeccable casting in all the roles. The photography was superb, most particularly Alaska greenery and snow covered mountains. Even the interior scenes had a quality of dark somber colors and depth. Lee Williams as the lead character, Tim, excelled in this. A beautiful looking young man, almost too pretty, he brings a quiet and soft vulnerability to his role until you discover he is a tortured soul from childhood molestation. Williams is perfectly cast in a difficult role. You feel for him, even though you know his fate is obvious. As his lover, Ivo, Mark Warren, too was excellent. The two men seem to fit together, both in style and believability. Warren brings a mature, yet heartbreaking character to reality. Their love scenes take your breath away. Tastefully done, their sexual scenes were quite smoldering. This I felt more convincing than the two lovers in Brokeback Mountain, although it did make a statement.
Rounding out this excellent casting are Mikela J. Mikael as the "other" woman in the picture. There was a kind of haunting quality about her looks and performance, reminiscence of the late Deborah Kerr. I felt sorry for her, not contempt. How the weakness of the heart can cause so much turmoil within ourselves. I can tell you my story sometime. But I liked Mikela's work. Salvatore Antonio plays the contemptuous hustler boy friend who lures our hero into a plot of bad intentions. He did well in a not so likable character. He looked like a hustler. And finally there was Mark Hildreth as the man from our hero's past. He took Tim into his life as a young boy, but eventually grew out of the situation as do most boys having early homosexual experiences in their lives. Unfortunately Tim doesn't.
Enjoy this movie for what it has to say. I know I did and continue to watch it on my DVD player.