'Last Ferry' is the kind of gay-themed, low-budget, self-indulgent film that usually goes straight to DVD. Which makes the decision of the British Film Institute to stage its world premiere during their 2019 LGBTQ+ 'Flare' festival a bit perplexing, to say the least.
Unhappy New York lawyer Joseph is disappointed upon arriving at Fire Island to discover the fabled gay resort is off-season. After an expedition into the woods for a spot of nookie goes wrong, Joseph is taken in by the charming Cameron and his one-note friends - Anabi (a doctor) and Shane (a stereotypical overweight screaming queen). Also present is Rafael, who spends his time tediously moping around following an apparent break-up with his boyfriend. But, having seen the film's opening act, the viewer knows there is more to Rafael's situation than is immediately apparent - as does, although he does not at first realise he possesses the knowledge, Joseph.
Lead actor Ramon O Torres also wrote, co-produced and edited the film. Presumably this made him a very powerful person on the production, but someone really should have sat him down and explained that it is a kindness to the viewer to give your characters some motivation: in this case, why Rafael and Cameron have committed the act they have - the fact we are not told is very disappointing. There are other flaws, too: for example, when a character slips very gently into a swimming pool, you will ask yourself why he is immediately afterwards bleeding so heavily (this, presumably, is the fault of director Jaki Bradley). And how does a character recognise the tattoo on the back of a murderer's leg when he only previously saw said murderer backing away from him?
Good points? Well, as an actor, Torres does a believable job of portraying both Joseph's confusion after the woods incident and his growing ease with his new friends - but this may be because, in comparison, the other actors are not given the chance to shine in portraying the cardboard cut-out characters with which Torres the writer has lumbered them. The scenery is nice, and it is pleasing that the film's most physically-attractive cast member provides the only real nude scene. Ultimately, though, 'Last Ferry' is a disappointment. The BFI may need to take a look at their programming policy...
Unhappy New York lawyer Joseph is disappointed upon arriving at Fire Island to discover the fabled gay resort is off-season. After an expedition into the woods for a spot of nookie goes wrong, Joseph is taken in by the charming Cameron and his one-note friends - Anabi (a doctor) and Shane (a stereotypical overweight screaming queen). Also present is Rafael, who spends his time tediously moping around following an apparent break-up with his boyfriend. But, having seen the film's opening act, the viewer knows there is more to Rafael's situation than is immediately apparent - as does, although he does not at first realise he possesses the knowledge, Joseph.
Lead actor Ramon O Torres also wrote, co-produced and edited the film. Presumably this made him a very powerful person on the production, but someone really should have sat him down and explained that it is a kindness to the viewer to give your characters some motivation: in this case, why Rafael and Cameron have committed the act they have - the fact we are not told is very disappointing. There are other flaws, too: for example, when a character slips very gently into a swimming pool, you will ask yourself why he is immediately afterwards bleeding so heavily (this, presumably, is the fault of director Jaki Bradley). And how does a character recognise the tattoo on the back of a murderer's leg when he only previously saw said murderer backing away from him?
Good points? Well, as an actor, Torres does a believable job of portraying both Joseph's confusion after the woods incident and his growing ease with his new friends - but this may be because, in comparison, the other actors are not given the chance to shine in portraying the cardboard cut-out characters with which Torres the writer has lumbered them. The scenery is nice, and it is pleasing that the film's most physically-attractive cast member provides the only real nude scene. Ultimately, though, 'Last Ferry' is a disappointment. The BFI may need to take a look at their programming policy...
