The Reel Review
A closeted 17-year-old Serbian immigrant in Melbourne, Australia experiences a sexual awakening when a chance encounter introduces him to his first love – the older gay brother of his amateur ballroom dancing partner – in this LGBTQ+ romantic drama set in 1999.
On the heels of his impressively trippy 2022 folk horror debut You Won’t Be Alone, writer/director Goran Stolevski tells a sweet, melancholic tale of what-could-have-beens in this coming-of-age romance. Subtle side glances and stolen moments capture the instant attraction between the duo, well played by Elias Anton and Thom Green, set to a time capsule backdrop of the more homophobic, late 1990s.
Despite the romantic drama’s realistic vibe, the first hour is exceptionally slow, redeemed somewhat by the interesting where-are-they-now time jump 11 years later in its final half hour. The story will touch the heartstrings of anyone who has felt the sting of a first love hampered by time and circumstance, although the lethargic pacing makes the bittersweet story feel a bit more like a missed chance encounter itself.
REEL FACTS
• Openly gay Macedonian-born writer/director Goran Stolevski emigrated to Australia as a teenager.
• Melbourne native Elias Anton is also known for his lead role in the 2016 TV miniseries Barracuda, about an Australian swimmer with dreams of competing in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
• Thom Green appeared in the 2010 Australian teen dramatic series Dance Academy.
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