Rites of Passage (1999)

RITES OF PASSAGE

RITES OF PASSAGE STARING JASON BEHR OF THE TV SHOW ROSWELL IS ONE VERY DISAPOINTING FILM, FEEL SORRY FOR JASON BEHR HES CAREER IS STALLED HE HAS SO MUCH PROMISE, THE STORY IS ONE HARD TALE AND NOT WORTH THE COST OF THE DVD JASON PLAYS A GAY YOUTH TAKEN ADVANAGE OF BY ESCAPE PRISONERS, IT ONE SAD TALE. July 30, 2008

family or fantasy

this story shows you what you would be faced with when it comes to the choce of family that is not happy with your life chioces or to choose a love fantaasy from a jail break out that is threating to kill your family July 7, 2007

Owning Up

"Rites of Passage"

Owning Up

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

"Rites of Passage" is a provocative look at family conflict. Not exactly a gay movie, it does have a gay sub-plot and deals with coming-out issues and the struggles between sons and sons and sons and fathers. Filled with conflict, plot twists and turns, deception, secrets and excess baggage, we watch as a father and his two sons come to terms with themselves and each other. The director, Victor Salva, handles everything with sensitivity and a great deal of meaning. For whatever reason, the conflict between father and son will hit home to most of us and watching it makes us remember that painful time when we had to come to terms with whom we are.
Del (Dean Stockwell) is the father who has to deal with the mistakes he has made with his gay son, Campbell (Jason Behr). Past goings-on are revealed via flashbacks and through them we learn that Del is very tough man's man who once saw his son hugging and kissing another man. As the father and his two sons are at a hunting cabin, a psychopathic killer and escaped convict and his pal are hiding out in the area near to where they are. As the plot goes through twists and turns, secrets are exposed and we begin to look at the characters quite differently.
The setting for the film is beautiful and the actors are good looking in this character driven thriller which exposes family issues between a father and his two sons. Del is going through mid-life crisis and is having an extra-marital affair, one son is gay and the other has become part of suburban mediocrity. All of the drama takes place on one night and as we watch we see the men tear each other down with a great deal of tension and truth. The movie keeps you guessing all the way to the end. There are character revelations that constantly crop up and this is a painful movie to watch and there is a great deal of suspense here.
The theme is not new--the estrangement between a father and his gay son. But this is only part of complex issues that are revealed. We do not deal with sexuality in the movie but we do deal with relationships. Campbell has been hurt by the abuse that he has received for being gay and needed to express himself combatively. Growing up gay in a straight society, living in an all-American family made his life a living hell. He tried to conform but failed. His father tried to "straighten" him out and when he was a young adult. His dad beat him after finding him with his boyfriend.
What I love about this film is that it is so unusual. The treatment of the relationships between gay men and their families is dealt with in a sympathetic way and with complete realism. Jason Behr as Campbell portrays a tormented and courageous character that despite all of the abuse he has endured refuses to lose his humanity and emerges as the most positive person in the film. The ending of the film is extremely emotional. Each of the men has a story to tell but it is the gay son's story that ties the entire movie together.
The screenplay is intelligent and very skillful. This is a movie that is filled with integrity and acted brilliantly. As you are drawn in, you realize that you are watching a film that deals with love in all of its forms and deep personal crises, about illusions and betrayals, and about forgiveness and new beginnings. As we look at family values among the three men in the movie, we begin to understand desire and relationships.
April 19, 2007

Good independent film

thoughtful and provocative. More than I expected and some good performances and plot. I bought it on the strength of wanting to see something more recent by Jason Behr than Roswell. He does a great job. I also like Dean Stockwell's performance and the "villan" (forgot name, sorry), who do excellent jobs. It is great to see a good film that is not a big hollywood budget type, but not plodding like some trying to send a big message about something. I liked the commentary that highlighted some good points about the performances and issues. January 9, 2007

Impressive story-telling

This film somehow managed to escape my attention until now. I rented it with modest expectations, but I was glued to the screen.

Perhaps there are some imperfections in this little gem, but the minor flaws are far outweighed by a great cast, fast pacing, you'll-never-guess-what-happens-next story telling, and drama in spades.

Now drama can get old fast, but this film works. If you're uncomfortable with gay sub-plots, this film probably isn't for you; there are several, and they're key to the story. But If you're okay with coming-out issues, struggles between sons and sons and fathers, and a considerable amount of bloodshed, I'd check this out.

There's enough drama, conflict, deception, plot twists, secrets, and baggage here to fill a week of soap operas, but it's served up here sensitively and with some meaning. Highly recommended. Check it out. November 19, 2006

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