Ketts Character; Clive/Robbie
Year released; 2001
I actually saw this with Christina before the site was just a glimmer in our eyes and a vibrator in our…. Um, achem, before we ever started the site. Funny where Chrissy’s lack of anything better to do with her spare time than get obsessed with dead boys from Stephen King based television series can get you. So, she says to me, "I like the dead boy on Kingdom Hospital. He’s in this indie flick about some chick obsessed with Fleetwood Mac. Come see it with me." So, I says to her, "Yeah, I like Fleetwood Mac and all, but why would I care?" and this, my friends, was the turning point in the conversation… "He plays a gay character who’s obsessed with Robert Smith from The Cure." *eyes popping out of head/excitement ensues*
There’s the background of how Chrissy talked me into seeing this movie. We go to this tiny little theatre down in the village (which, by the way, has the most UNCOMFORTABLE seats in the universe) and happen to be two of only three people there to see the movie. I was dreading what was to come. I’ve seen a lot of really shitty indie flicks and I was under the impression that this was going to be terrible.
Much to my shock and surprise, the movie turned out to be one of the most refreshing I’ve seen in a while. Ketts portrayal of this confused young man was impeccable. This movie has definitely wormed it’s way into my favorites. By nature, it’s a coming out film. Not just about sexuality but in all aspects of life. Breaking free from the constraints of a well oiled ‘Nowheres Ville’ kind of town mentality, breaking out of the stable apathy of life in the middle of nowhere and dealing with implications of being different in a place where difference is not accepted or celebrated are just a few of the strong points of this movie. It’s touching. Really, I mean that. Not just in the ‘my naughty bits tingle because someone’s imitating Robert Smith on the screen’ way. It’s a powerful movie that is very much atypical in the climate of Summer action blockbuster movies and happy Hollywood endings.
If you’re into any kind of underground music or movie culture, this movie is definitely a good one to get under your belt. Not only is it great to see your own subculture shown in a tasteful manner, it’s also wonderful to know that gay/lesbian/bisexual culture is becoming more commonplace. Especially in diverse movies where the stereotypes are being undermined as opposed to perpetuated. Ketts character holds a great amount of importance in this aspect. Clive is so unsure of himself, flamboyant yet insecure, inquisitive and hesitant all at once. The character so honestly written. The boy is lost in confusion but unaware of the immense path that lay ahead of him. Not only is it a sincere story about two teens who’s screwed up lives are intertwined, but both Kett and the actress who plays Gypsy, Sara Rue, do the job of playing these two well beyond normal expectations.
Besides, aren’t they just too damned cute in their goth clothes, dancing in graveyards? I know I would’ve molested them both, were I in the movie.