Beach Rats (2017): Eliza Hittman’s Coming of Age, Starring Harris Dickinson (AMOUR, Underrated Film, LGBTQ, Women Directors)

The gay-themed drama, Beach Rats, a riveting gay themed drama, was directed and written by Eliza Hittman, a major talent to watch.

World premiering at the 2017 Sundance Film Fest, the film was released later that year by Neon.

Grade: B

Harris Dickinson delivers a stellar performance as a Brooklyn teenager, trapped in his family’s basement as he struggles with his sexual identity.

Frankie spends his time with his new girlfriend (Madeline Weinstein), and his buddies. Late at night, he chats with older men on the Internet, whom he meets up for sex and drugs.  Frankie does not, however, identify as a bisexual or gay to his girlfriend, male friends–and to himself.  He holds that he’s just a guy who “happens to have sex with men.”

Frankie attempts to compartmentalize his life by having sex with older men, sort of a “side” activity.  But who’s fooling?

Frankie uses the chat site to arrange hookups, particularly with older men as they are less likely to run into his friends and give away his double life. When a male partner asks about his penchant for older men, Frankie replies, “I don’t really know what I like.”

As the story unfolds, Frankie’s double life and conflicting desires become increasingly difficult to navigate.

Things change for the worse, when Frankie’s friends ambush Jeremy, one of his “friends,” and demand the weed. When Jeremy refuses, Frankie’s friends beat him. Though Frankie retrieves the drug, his friends continue to beat Jeremy, leaving him for dead.

Back at home, Frankie gets rid of all traces of the gay chat site on his computer, including shirtless selfies he has taken.

In the last scene, while watching the fireworks at the boardwalk, there’s a look of anguish and uncertainty on Frankie’s face.

Note:

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