Chasing Pavement (2015) User Reviews

Uneven but original

[ekeby · 5/10 · 8 August 2018]

This held my interest, despite its many flaws. I found the storyline original and engaging, though the execution is sometimes both amateurish and pretentious. Often simultaneously.

The story did not go quite where I thought it would, so for that achievement alone it deserves some respect. The dialogue sometimes rings hollow (inauthentic) but it isn't predictable. It might not always be well written dialogue but it isn't trite.

More than one reviewer here has observed that the lead actor is too old and shopworn to play a character who promotes himself as young and desirable. I think that's unfair-real life hustlers often misrepresent themselves. We're talking about people working in an industry that lost its moral compass eons ago.

Yes, there are cringeworthy scenes. Yes, the acting will disappoint. We all know there are plenty of gay movies with similar defects. At least here there's the kernel of a profound theme. You might get glimpses of it if you can overlook the flaws.

portrait of a charmless escort

[sugarfreepeppermint · 6/10 · 20 October 2015]

The protagonist, Elias, defines himself as a "hot twink super bottom porn star." Well, then you better apply a bit more concealer to those those crowfeet, girl. Because if black don't crack, you sure do. He's at least 40, or looks hell old for his age. At some point we see him mince about naked in the bedroom; those ass cheeks sure are saggy for "best paid bottom in porn." Saggy ass hoisted up in fancy underwear doesn't make for firm buttocks, dearie. Elias is an uppity queen who thinks he may be seen as "cultured," if he dispenses a smart sounding reference here and there about classical music or literary authors - so try hard, it has the opposite effect. In one sentence he claims to have a pediatrician mother and lawyer father, and in the next he pronounces "asked" as axed; a bit of a thinly disguised ghetto queen, if you ask me.

He even admits himself that it is all about bravado, not what you really are. He does reveal at some point that he is a trained actor, hereby giving away vital clues to those who are getting to know him, and who may get caught in his web of lies. The awful monotonous way of speaking, and the deadpan delivery of his numerous snide remarks, should be enough of a clue to realize that Elias is a bit of a fraud, and he is a rather loathsome person.

That is what this film is all about. It's about the show that some people put on, and if it is convincing enough for long enough to keep other people interested. Unfortunately it is endemic to the modern day gay scene with its puerile glorification of people "working" in the adult entertainment industry (who hasn't?) and the marketing-like profiling on Grindr. It's bound to result in disillusion when the illusion hits upon reality. This film is a good study of that topic.

Sadly, Never Caught On

[thesar-2 · 5/10 · 22 December 2023]

No, the Adele song is not featured. Not sure they could afford her.

It's harder to be a critic against micro-budgeted, independent films as you how incredibly hard it is to film, finance, get talent, keep talent, distribute, advertise, etc. I'm generally softer here because I despite ANY flaws, I see a ton of heart. Chasing Pavement is not an exception: a ton of heart/actors/crew committed.

Basically, it's about a gay internet/porn star with baggage (on paper only) who is need of a roommate and a straight man in need of a place to live. Only, this new roomie isn't a Crazy Rich Asian who can afford a New York Place. But, enough about that, it's more about, I guess, chasing pavement. (Yes, I had to look up what that meant.)

I wouldn't call this anything groundbreaking, the dialogue wanted to be smarter/deeper than it was, the acting was okay - but, again, still with a lot of heart and they were definitely trying their best and it did keep my interest until the end. I was most invested in Takeshi's (the Japanese Immigrant) story and I did like seeing the actor really trying to emote.

My hope is that these folks did proceed and continue pursuing their dreams.

***

Final Thoughts: Don't let any of my criticisms above discourage this cast/crew or anyone else trying to make their visions come true. I hope ALL get out there and make their movie using their voice and continue to grow.

porn without the sex scenes..

[eclectic-79250 · 1/10 · 18 December 2015]

you know how on TV they sometime play softporn movies and completely cuts out the sex scenes and are left with 30 minutes of bad acting and cheesy dialogue? that's what this is, porn actors without the porn scenes.. it's bad on a colossal scale

.. the main character is old and can't act (not at all sexy or attractive) .. Antonio Biaggi is not a serious actor, the reason he is popular is between his legs, without it he is like a singer without a voice,, now,, if you want to make a movie about "cultured" men.. maybe first you should 'learn them proper' you know, like the English language..

this might have been a good movie if it had real actors with sex appeal. Remy Mars' attempt at acting like an Opera and Literature buff is just sad,,{CRINGE} don't waste you time guys.

Meh

[joshuajpost · 1/10 · 27 February 2019]

This movie offers the acting of a porno without the porn.

A conceptual head-scratcher

[hddu10-819-37458 · 30 January 2020]

This is kind of an odd film since it dealt with subject-matter which COULD have been interesting, namely, 1) a day in the life of a porn star 2) real vs imagined/public vs private identity 3) gender/sexual fluidity. However, it really didn't land on any one of those, and didn't give ANY of them enough time and dedication to be meaningful; it was just all over the place. The dialogue and acting was very rigid (you can tell that several of the participants have had no formal training and this is probably their first time in front of the camera). The details got pretty specific to the point of being irrelevant to the story (they made it a point to ensure we knew the lead was a "black, bareback bottom porn actor"...why not just porn actor? Or even black actor? What purpose did the specifics serve?). If there was an actual deeper meaning it was lost.

God help Remi Mars

[outreachvideo · 2/10 · 28 December 2022]

The last I heard any photo/video adds ten pounds to the subject regardless of who it is. Remi has never been the muscular gym type of guy but his booty sure as hell doesn't look sexy at all. He did admit that he has HIV (and I have no problem with that) but let's face it, when you see anything about Remi Mars of course you're expecting to see his butt. I want prepared for that. I wish I hadn't watched this because now I have not only a negative view of him but also a lot of other clearly druuged out younger porn stars with bubble butts and can handle monstrous sized men until they burst inside.

Hookups, Transactions and Complications

[jmking-11996 · 7/10 · 4 January 2016]

A porn star leads multiple lives--Rashawn, the young actor he aspired to be but now he's Elijah, the hot porn star and escort who still struggles to pay the rent. I found this independent effort to be a subtle, intelligent view at the complicated life of an adult star and the accidental relationships he finds himself in. 'Chasing Pavement' is a quiet character study of a young black porn star, Elijah Young , who has created walls around his life to keep his livelihood discrete but also to keep his own desires trapped within. He has an 'escort affair' with a troubled Latin man, Bryson, played by real adult star Antonio Biaggi, then, he develops a random friendship with a young Asian, Takeshi, which ultimately takes a dramatic turn. The film is quite literary and intimate in its look at the randomness and disappointments of modern gay life and it's refreshing that the filmmaker opted to cast real-life adult stars in dramatic acting roles. Although the performances are somewhat amateurish, there's a certain legitimacy of casting here and an interesting exploration of a diverse cast of characters confronting each other. The themes of emotional disconnect within cycles of intimacy and abandonment are very truthful. A serious gay independent film effort for those looking to deal with more 'real' in their films than the usual happy-go-lucky standard gay film fare.

I want my hour and 22 minutes back!

[petenwmass · 1/10 · 17 July 2021]

The only interesting part of this video is how the director managed to keep the "actors" que cards out of sight of the camera as they read each word in monotone. A complete waste of an hour and a half.

Fascinating character study.

[matthewdoyle-97113 · 7/10 · 31 January 2016]

I found this little gem of a movie on Vimeo last week and thought I'd give it a whirl. I'm so glad I did!

Chasing Pavement is a serious drama about identity and the dichotomy of who we really are and who we portray ourselves to be online and on phone apps like Grindr, Adam4Adam et al. For most gay men, this is a new reality that few of us choose to discuss openly in a time when queer culture is being pushed underground in favor of assimilationist, heteronormative lifestyles.

A low-budget effort, Chasing Pavement starts out feeling a bit too 'indie' (the actors' line readings are a bit flat), but the last 40 minutes are truly world class.

At a time when most American gay-themed films are campy comedies or third-rate psychological thrillers, Chasing Pavement is truly a refreshing reminder of what serious gay cinema should be.

Astonishingly Satisfying!

[njtcfr · 10/10 · 15 March 2021]

Chasing Pavement is the movie read as a cinematic book. The director, as storyteller, eased me through the complex webbing that are the lives three fascinating and very different characters. The movie let me learn and soon care about their experiences in a way that left appreciative. And wanting more! You will want watch this movie frequently. Add Chasing Pavement to your library of excellent movies.

A candid, yet touching film

[manerosbyron · 8/10 · 21 March 2021]

Just finished watching this movie. It's one of those movies were you THINK you will only devote a small time to wet your curiosity as to what it may be all about. And if this is You too BE WARE! This movie is "Captivating" and you will be kept mesmerized and find yourself watching it straight through to the end. It is DEEPLY touching (that I cried -- although but not tragic) and so revealing of hustler life in NY & relatable. And Yet, I have one criticism: the ending. I was SO FRUSTRATED. Questions were left UNANSWERED. I don't want to spoil it for you by telling you what those issues I had were, because it is so It is worth seeing anyway. Yet, I hope there is a sequel or that they will make decide one. However, the ending is NOT all frustrating. The ending was WELL done anyway & one of the most touching parts of the movie. There is a surprise twist at the end, it's well waiting for. Let's just say, the film comes "full circle". Aside the story line leaving us a BIT hanging at the end, I LOVED IT!!!