The Green

The title of the films refers to the lush green and suburban life in Connecticut, a far cry form chaotic NYC life from which our protagonists move. I was very glad to see that this film was not one of those gay films which seems to tackle all stereotyped gay issues. It was different. Though the entire subject might not be completely new for the film-goers but come to think of it, it is difficult for a teacher (specially is he is gay) on defining the boundaries of how much he can show interest in his student's well being without being judged the wrong way.

Michael and Daniel are a gay couple who have been together for 15 years and have now moved to Connecticut. Michael works as a teacher in a private high school and daniel continues with his restaurant/cafe business in the small town. Michael makes very good friends with Trish, a fellow teacher, who herself is battling with cancer. Michael sees great potential in one of his students Jason, whose parents were alcoholics and do not have much money from him. Michael seems behavioral changes in Jason which worries him and he takes more interest in him. Trish warns Michael about the gossip in school about them but he does not care. One day Michael attempts to defend Jason from bullying kids and in turn he gets accused of inappropriate behavior with Jason by his father. Once this happens, Jason's parents take the mater to court, Jason runs away from home and Michael is suspended from school. When it starts affecting Gavin's business too, they hire a special lawyer Karen who happens to be in a committed lesbian relationship. During the investigation, an old truth comes out: Michael had a prior arrest in NYC years ago for indecent exposure (police entrapment), but worse is the fact that Michael has never told Daniel about the incident. This brings the rift in the couple and it forces Dan to leave the house because he can handle everything except dishonesty. Michael is now suffering alone. FInally Jason comes back home and a bitter truth is exposed where Jason's father was the culprit behind everything. The film ends with hope that things will someday be better again between Daniel and Michael now that Michael is free from all the charges.

The acting from all principal characters was very good. Initially I thought Trish was a little funny looking but she did a splendid job too. The scene where Michael and Trish have a fallout is brilliant. It is interesting to see how things said in a most genuine and innocent manner can be taken in a wrong way. Daniel, as per me, was gorgeous. He would just keep looking int his eyes but even in the acting department, he did a good job. I wanna see more of him in more films. The subject was handled with sensitivity. I would have given this film a little lower ranking but I liked the ending when not everything is back to normal. There is hope that things will be better and that is what happens in real life as well. Doesn't it?

This is a decent independent film. Nothing extraordinary but good that it holds your attention throughout. (7/10)