The opening scene of Lonesome resembles a Hollywood Western as our protagonist Casey (Josh Lavery) keeps pace with the sun while running away from his reality. He dons a cowboy hat and the classic blue jeans and white T-shirt combo that immediately endow him with an eye-candy-cum-rebellious persona. His face has the sharpness as well as the vulnerability of youth. Staying true to his young age, he doesn’t miss a chance to sleep with men, even at his lowest moments. His story is that of a rural gay man making his way into the big city. However, what he lacks is hope. His only redeeming quality is his libido.
In the big city – Sydney – he gatecrashes parties and uses Grindr as a means of guaranteeing temporary shelters for the night. He is promiscuous to a fault; a quality that had caused him grief beyond reparation in his past. He is still carrying the burden of his grief around. His inner conflicts prove to be a hindrance in establishing a stable relationship with his roommate Tib (Daniel Gabriel), who on the other hand has his own issues to deal with. Together they become the protagonists of a Grindr-era dramatic narrative where love is ephemeral and sex is constant. Australian Director and writer Craig Boreham understands the tidbits of the Grindr ecosystem well and how it can suck users into a black hole of trust, mistrust, and possible dangers.
The erotic moments in the film are so well choreographed that at times they overshadow the dramatic elements of the story. The scenes of male frontal nudity are shot and presented with the aesthetics of a high-end queer magazine centerfold.
In the last fifteen minutes or so, the film gets into BDSM mode. Casey, who is at his lowest, mentally convinces himself that he doesn’t deserve to be loved but only to be treated as a sexual object. He craves pain in his sexual endeavors in a bid to forget his guilt and his reality. However, it would be wrong to assume that he doesn’t enjoy his sexual escapades. In fact, one of the strongest aspects of the film is that it bats for sex positivity.
Lonesome treads familiar territory but is boosted by the decadent charm of Josh Lavery and the director’s reluctance to hold back during the ‘depraved’ moments of the narrative.
P.S. LONESOME will be screening at OUTSHINE, Miami's queer Film Fest .....in person and online
Review by David Lagachu Queeruru Correspondent David Lagachu lives in Assam, India “I am constantly trying to find a perfect balance between academia and my love for writing about films, pop and queer culture. I consider myself a global citizen and would love to be a part of a significant history of mankind.” i@maglobalcitizen
