Huckleberry (2018) User Reviews

Nice ... real nice...

[lamarof9 · 7/10 · 17 December 2019]

There is a lot of crap on amazon prime... but this isn't on of them. The tone of the movie could not have been better! The acting was good. The Director had a clear vision and the story never went off the map. This could easily have a sequel. I'm glad I saw it. It job to all involved. I am not part of the cast , nor do I know anyone in the production.

love the angst

[KimmyTKA · 7/10 · 27 June 2019]

I'm a sucker for melancholy adolescent angst, and this definitely fit the bill for me. The acting especially was surprisingly good - special shout out to Sarah Ulstrop. Very nuanced. Really liked it. If you're looking to feel bad (in a good way!) check this one out.

hard time for young adults

[ops-52535 · 5/10 · 29 May 2019]

Its a drama that is set in 1999 ohio, that reaches over many aspects of life when growing up, the fysical and psycological gain and pain of growing up are for many a tough transition and well reflected in this film. it handles issues as drug use, relations to parents, falling in love,puzzling thoughts ablout gender, violence, pressure from school etc. most of all its a sad story, where ambivalens is a key factor.

tecnically its on average and not a blockbuster, but im sure that everybody that was at that age in 1999 will find reckon in some of the characters. the story are a bit springing anjd when the end is there you feel like ,''did i miss something''? the actors are mostly actors ive seen in low budget productions, b-level flicks, but they do a solid job allover

it has got a good twist in the end for sure, and i will therefore recommend a view, the grumpy old man mustve shut off the squemish button you might think but its a reasonably good product.

Weighty high school drama

[Phil_Chester · 13 July 2019]

Recalling 'Boys Don't Cry', this weighty drama effectively forces you to consider gender identity in modern America. Featuring impressive acting all round, especially by the young leads, the film lands with some heft and leaves a lingering impression. A moving watch, which is both simple and powerful. Certainly worth a look.

A great90s style movie... hidden gem

[Viknesh_Silvalingam · 7/10 · 29 August 2019]

A wonderfully crafted movie about love and lost. Its rare to see an honest depiction of the transgender community. Great find...

Engrossing, intelligent film

[directortim2012 · 9/10 · 17 June 2019]

If you're in the LGBTQ community or have friends in it, so much of this film will ring true. But even if you are without that experience, anyone with a heart and a mind can appreciate this story. Sensitive, real, involving. I was truly engrossed by both the film and the filmmaking. And the acting is terrific as well. A great, authentic 90's period piece. But absolutely relevant to today. A quality indie film... a quality film, period. Excellent!

Great film

[fayk-73877 · 7/10 · 23 January 2021]

Enjoyed every second of this film, would definitely recommend this title!

Activistic art

[dbculp · 3/10 · 7 September 2019]

If you are an activist then you will likely either love this movie or hate it. I watched this film because it had a 7.7 rating. But I had not noticed that the sample size was only 57 responses, and therefore unreliable. This film merits 3-4 stars for its edginess in 2019. Beyond that, it is a caricature performance that is realistic on par with a sci-fi or zombie film.

Loved this film

[craigahrens · 9/10 · 7 June 2019]

I first watched the trailer to this gem of a film. It most certainly got my attention. But before I did that... I noticed a lot of 4 & 5 star marks for this film. That I found unusual and impressive (because haters hate regardless and will give a bad review because that's what they do). I love basis of this film, teenagers in high school and the emotional ride Director Roger Hill takes his on. Te Director does such a splendid job of keeping the audience engaged as he advances the story. The actors were just incredible. The story, top notch. I loved the look and the feel of this film too. So, if you haven't figured it by now... I give this film a huge thumb's up!

Teen angst abounds.

[jamalking15 · 3/10 · 12 September 2019]

Best part of the movie was the Volkswagen, half buried. Poorly directed, the acting was marginal and overacted. The scenes were a bit choppy, reminded me of a high school movie project in a small town. It's was also challenging trying to listen to the soundtrack as it often didn't match the scenes portrayed. Could have been a good story, but too many stereotyped characters made the movie difficult to finish.

What a Beautiful, poignant, gem of a film

[MariaAllred · 9/10 · 13 June 2019]

This is a gorgeous film on all levels. Set in the late 90s with a perfect mise en scène set amidst desolate Ohio through all four seasons. It follows Huckleberry, convincingly acted by Daniel Fisher-Golden, as a transgender youth finding his way in a conservative town. He's in love with his classmate, Jolene, played by a luminous Sarah Ulstrup, and he ultimately proves he will do anything for his love. Every aspect of this film is well-executed, from the score to the story to the acting to the cinematography to the double-edged ending. Loved it and highly recommend!

Awful Dialogue. Overall poor film.

[koobkoob · 1/10 · 4 June 2019]

This movie has awful dialogue, there doesn't seem to be any real tension going on at all, except for perhaps a small scene of a mother and daughter arguing about what to order from Wendy's. Also some attention could have been paid to the time period and props? At one point someone says they want a soda and they are clearly given a very modern day Kroger Brand sparkling water. This is supposed to take place in 1999? The only good part was the cinematography.

Fantastic Indie Gem

[bohemianpirate-871-383487 · 9/10 · 8 June 2019]

I loved this film! It's an intimate, intricate look at a young trans boy who's dealing with many issues, most of all, his affections for Jolene and how life in a small town complicates things. I really loved these characters, thought it was incredibly well acted and honest and found the story to be original and heartfelt. I was engaged from the start and thought the lead actor who plays Huckleberry delivered an incredible performance. Highly recommend this precious new indie-- check it out!!

...and then, there is "Wonderful drama about identity!"

[Call-Me-Mr-Smith · 17 October 2019]

It's difficult to rate this movie because it presents both as a passionate activist manifest and a high school film project. The unevenness in every aspect is really hampering the viewing, and because this is not mid-90s, the implied bravery cannot substitute for the lack of skill. There are so many (by present time) common places, typification and imitation, and that is why the overall feel is such as of the watching the high school project. Talented, but high school project nevertheless...And then, there is "Wonderful drama about identity!". This passionate reviewing by someone posting four identical reviews under different names adds to the undertones...If I were to rate it, I'd give it 4 or 5, which is not too bad, I guess.

Bad all around

[fixxer-48119 · 3/10 · 23 April 2022]

The acting is awful. The music is so out of timing. The scenes lack of credibility because of the bad acting. The story is not bad. Everything else it is. Trust me.

A Unique Indie Drama

[JGReviews · 9/10 · 8 July 2019]

Huckleberry is a unique drama about a trans teen in a coming of age story. The protagonist deals with many of the standard issues of these types of stories -- love, belonging, etc. -- but seen from a trans perspective in the late 90s in Ohio makes for a unique and very compelling story that you would only find in the indie world today. The film is very well shot and I particularly enjoyed the pretty blue hues that dominated some scenes. The acting is quite good as well, particularly by the leads. Roger Hill has done a very good job of crafting this nuanced and complex film and I would highly recommend that you give it a watch.

Touches on many topics!

[kuhlb · 4/10 · 20 November 2020]

Though it touches many topics it is also a confusing pace. some spots are to fast as others are to slow. I like how it touches modern problems but the twist was a bit dis-satisfying. Only because the dad at the end did not deserve a second change.

Beautiful and Timely!

[bgianci-790-772540 · 9/10 · 11 June 2019]

This was a beautifully shot film that grabbed me from the beginning and kept me engaged throughout with it's well designed narrative. It delves into the timely issues of identity, prejudice as these topics relate to young people who are coming of age. I don't want to give anything away here because you really do need to see it for yourself. I highly recommend it!

Painful but necessary journey

[jblockbuster · 8/10 · 8 July 2019]

Huckleberry is a terrific tale of searching one's identity, entangled in feelings of love, passion, rage and guilt during teenage years. Most of us have had a pretty normal, but still painful journey from child to adult, but what if you are truly unique, and your sexuality is not what you are born with? What if you have to deal with more prejudices and rejection than the average young adult?

The actors are doing a fantastic job and really drag you into the story, with the sub theme and underlying question, how would we possibly have reacted ourselves.

A must see

[johnapplebee-95947 · 10/10 · 22 June 2019]

This was a really good and well written movie. All the teenage characters were portrayed very well. I feel the director kept it very real to what teenagers are doing and faced with on a Dailey basis in high school.as a parent it will make u want to talk to your teenage kids a little more to try to find out what there going through in life. Definitely a good watch

Masterful Storytelling

[TheAll-SeeingI · 10/10 · 19 June 2019]

Roger Hill's Huckleberry enters the bloodstream and triumphs as a highly nuanced and layered presentation of love and passion running alongside Rural American complications.

"Small town love" carries with it our own assumptions we bring to this darkly radiant film, all of which Hill is shrewdly aware of as he masterfully leverages or obliterates each, bending us to the will of his storytelling. Huckleberry loves Jolene, but that's about as Andy Griffith Show as you'll find here, as actor Daniel Fisher-Golden grabs the film's transsexual namesake role by the throat, manifesting both hero and villain in a highly dimensional presentation. Fisher-Golden's character is in channeled pursuit of Jolene, portrayed by Sarah Ulstrup with a rare presentation of emotional range: How she feels about Huckleberry - his love, his edge - is conjured and projected with wonderful complication, surfacing and then burying the truth of itself in her varying responses to his character and actions.

Written with immense awareness of the human condition and beautifully executed in all phases, Huckleberry shows us the smallest of worlds loaded with life's most existential and petty emotional drivers. As its dramatic landscape gives way to an ending that cuts both ways, we realize we've been subjected to some truly elite storytelling.

A must see!

[vigilant56 · 9/10 · 12 June 2019]

The story deals beautifully with teen sexuality with a multi-racial cast and is thought provoking on many levels. This film affords the opportunity to learn about a subject that is not properly talked about regularly in society.

A must see Indie-Gem

[helgocast · 9/10 · 18 December 2019]

From the very start of this film I was intrigued. The lead character seemed like a typical teenager, but after awhile, the complexity of their life starts to take shape. This film for me is about love, in whatever form it chooses to manifest itself. I understand what drives the lead character to make the choices that they do, If you have ever been in a relationship where you find yourself doing things that you never thought you would do, than this film will resonate with you. Well acted, and well filmed. If you are looking for something a little different than this Indie-gem is for you.

Different kind of HS movie

[Graham-joey · 10/10 · 3 July 2019]

Now for something completely different! Having been in high school when this movie is set, it easily drew me in to what I thought was going to be a fairly straight forward coming of age movie but it is anything but. It's a little bit like Brick in texture, subtracting all the noir and adding in some almost pulpy melodrama. Then adds on the transgender element and you get something quite refreshing. Without giving anything away, by the end I felt very very different than how i expected to feel. Good stuff.

Wonderful drama about identity!

[Anmer93 · 9/10 · 31 July 2019]

A gorgeous film made with a lot of love and understanding of it's subject matter. Skilfully acted and beautifully photographed, Huckleberry tells an emotional story that needs to be whitnessed.