Search - Drift on DVD

Raw & Emotional

Tommy101 | New York, NY USA | 06/26/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I almost didn't check out this flick based on a couple of the user comments, but I'm glad I did. This is a real independent film, in the best sense of the term. It totally goes out on a limb and presents a totally unique point of view...and one I haven't seen a great deal of in gay cinema. It's very low budget and there is absolutely no Hollywood glitz or glamour here, just raw emotion. That's probably a minus to most people, but it's a huge plus to someone like me who hates popular mainstream cinema. It's shot kind of like a documentary and it isn't cast with a bunch of airhead pretty boys like you might find at the nearest circuit party. These are real people who look and act like real people. It doesn't look like anyone is wearing makeup and I thought that was totally cool. I liked the fact that the lead was Asian, for no apparent reason. The dialogue has a tendency to be a bit on the cheesy side sometimes. How many times CAN those two guys use the word "visceral"? But it all still works and though some of it is really sad, some of it is just downright funny. My best buddy and I laughed out loud at a couple of parts when the story started shifting into the "what if" scenarios. Loved that.. especially the third scenario when the young guy comes on to the boyfriend character by giving him a massage. That was hilarious. There's real heart here and I'm glad I checked it out. If you like your films on the glossy side, then this one is definitely not for you. If you like a bit more of an edge, then check this one out."

SEXY, SMART, & COMPELLING!!!

Wes3236 | Long Beach, CA USA | 05/31/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Oh my gosh! My friend made me watch this film the other night and I haven't been able to get it out of my head. This is the smartest gay-themed film I have seen since the "The Wedding Banquet." Finally in "DRIFT" we have a gay film about real people who have real people problems. No one is dealing with coming out, self loathing, AIDS, or dying. Nope, no stereotypes here, thank God! The documentary feel of this film is especially compelling, almost making the viewer feel as though they're peeping in a window they shouldn't be.The cast is amazing and their work is so natural that you almost have to wonder if director Quentin Lee just found these people and shot their true story (kind of like a homo-Real World). It's so nice to see actors in a gay film who are smart and sexy without being West Hollywood steroid clones. The chemistry between RT Lee and Greyson Dayne is hot, to say the least - though a little nudity would have been very welcomed. Their break-up scene was so real and painful that it just about wiped me out. I also LOVED the best friend characters played by Desi DelValle and Sebastien Guy. I wish I had best friends like that.The film has a lot of humor, but ultimately it left me feeling extremely melancholy about all the decisions that I've made in my life that might have gone a different way. Anyway, I can't wait to take a look at the other films from Quentin Lee. He has a real eye for real people and real situations."

What a cool film.

Wes3236 | 01/18/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD and watched it with my next door neighbor. It's funny because we had completely different viewpoints about the film. He just didn't get it (not being one the sharpest tools in the shed anyway). But I thought that this was truly one of the best small indie gay films I've seen in a long time. The situations were completely - painfully - believable and the writing was smart and truthful. Though I've never seen any of these people before, the actors were outstanding and totally real - from the leads (Ryan, Joel, and Leo) all the way down to the smaller supporting parts (Carrie, Matt, Bob). The film starts out a little slow, but a third of the way through it takes a surprising twist (but I won't give it away). From then on the film had me and I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Though not for every taste -- there are some raw sex scenes -- I think this is a film that is well worth a look for those who like thought provoking and experimental gay films."

VERY INTERESTING and FUN

Nils Carne | Los Angeles, CA | 06/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember reading a great review of this film in the Los Angeles Times, so I decided to check it out on DVD. I wasn't disappointed. It's really clever and addresses relationship issues that are rarely addressed in gay films. Sure, the main character (played by R.T. Lee) whines a lot and is in his head a lot, but I know so many people who are exactly like him. The other two actors who make up the love triangle are super. The boyfriend (played by Greyson Dayne) is completely sweet and naturalistic and the college kid (played by Johnathon Roessler) is hilarious. The entire cast, for that matter is great, especially the coffee shop owner (with a couple of the best lines in the film). The photography is a little stark and jolting, but it looks like it was intended to be that way, adding to the naturalistic feel. Very cool! This is a really worthy effort by director Quentin Lee and should be checked out by everyone interested in gay cinema."