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Gerontophilia (film)
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Wikipedia article
'Gerontophilia' is a 2013 Canadian romantic comedy-drama film directed by Bruce LaBruce[http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/bruce-labruces-gerontophilia-shoot-summer-canada-327671 "Bruce LaBruce's 'Gerontophilia' to Shoot This Summer Canada-Wide"]. 'The Hollywood Reporter', May 22, 2012. and written by LaBruce and Daniel Allen Cox. The film had its world premiere in the Venice Days section at the 70th Venice International Film Festival on August 28, 2013, and was screened in the Vanguard section at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.
Described as a gay 'Harold and Maude', the film follows Lake, a young man who takes a job in a nursing home and develops a romantic and sexual attraction to Mr. Peabody, an elderly resident in the facility. Unlike most of LaBruce's earlier films, 'Gerontophilia' is not sexually explicit; instead, LaBruce chose to adapt his traditional themes of sexual taboo into a film more palatable to a mainstream audience.[http://quebec.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/19/bruce-labruce-gerontophilia_n_2332835.html "Marie-Hlne Thibault et Pier-Gabriel Lajoie dans Gerontophilia, un film de Bruce LaBruce tourn Montral"]. 'The Huffington Post', December 19, 2012.
Synopsis
Lake is an 18-year-old college student who discovers that he has a romantic attraction to elderly men even though he is already in a relationship with his girlfriend Dsire. One day, he applies for a nursing job at a retirement home, where he meets a resident named Mr. Peabody, and the two of them become close friends. After a while, the two men develop a romantic and sexual relationship. After noticing that the residents are being overdosed on their medication by the employees, Lake decides to take Peabody off his daily medication and help him escape to a better place. This results in the two of them taking a cross-country road trip together that deepens their bond.
Cast
* Walter Borden as Mr. Peabody
* Pier-Gabriel Lajoie as Lake
* Marie-Hlne Thibault as Marie
* Katie Boland as Dsire
* Yardly Kavanagh as Nurse Baptiste
* Shawn Campbell as Bradley Nelson
* Jean-Alexandre Ltourneau as Kevin
* Dana Wright as Dina
* Brian D. Wright as Mr. Guerrero
Production
Bruce LaBruce intended to give 'Gerontophilia' a 1970s atmosphere by shooting the film with an ARRI Alexa whilst using some Zeiss prime lenses from the era.
The film received funding from both Telefilm Canada and SODEC, as well as a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo.[http://www.out.com/entertainment/popnography/2012/12/19/bruce-labruce-wants-help-make-gerontophilia "Bruce LaBruce Wants Help to Make 'Gerontophilia'"]. 'Out', December 19, 2012.
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film received a 48% approval rating, based on 27 reviews, with an average rating of 5.8/10. The website's consensus reads, "'Gerontophilia's handful of intriguing ideas are let down by tame execution and unconvincing acting that make the movie's premise feel creepy rather than original."
Dave Croyle of 'Gay Essential' called the film a "captivating story of love, loss, and personal exploration."
Rakesh Ramchurn of 'The Independent' commented, "It is rare that I would salute a predominantly underground director's move towards mainstream filmmaking, but by toning down the sex and nudity of his previous works, LaBruce has made a film that I hope will be enjoyed by wide audiences in the months to come."
References
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