Although this Belgian film handles its weighty theme of adolescent homosexuality with ample sensitivity, the storyline here features some of the same quotidian coming-of-age clichés found in heterosexual teen romance movies. Living in the colorless seaside town of Ostend in Belgium (the title is taken from a local bar-restaurant), Pim (Jelle Floorizone) is a typical introverted ‘tween who enjoys solitary activities—including dressing up in his mother's clothing—until he meets good-looking neighborhood kid Gino (Mathias Vergels). Gino seems to be the typical manipulator/user—obviously in a phase of bisexual experimentation—while Pim is deadly earnest in his commitment to a homosexual relationship with Gino. Pim has “victim” written all over his face: the next thing you know, Gino has taken off with some anonymous girl, much to Pim's confused adolescent consternation. While Pim's inward-turning, inarticulate rage is skillfully expressed by Floorizone, director Bavo Defurne's minimalist aesthetic focuses too much attention on formal detail and not enough on character. Optional. (M. Sandlin)
North Sea Texas
Strand, 94 min., in Dutch w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $27.99, Feb. 19 Volume 28, Issue 1
North Sea Texas
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