This movie had a lot of pieces that worked well for it but I just kept getting progressively frustrated with what the filmmaker is trying to say. Celebrating diversity, protecting niche spaces within the queer community, and not letting white and pink washed corporate pride predate upon the community are all awesome themes to explore. And for a lot of the movie, it does that, but it seems like Max is shoehorned in and his point of view is given no grace. It seemed like Layla should have realized that Max is NOT as different from themself than they thought, also forced to code switch for his family, and it was a great opportunity to show the universality of the queer experience which connects us all by transcending culture and identity. At least this inspires Layla to open up more to their sister by deciding they do not want to live a double life, but even that conversation which should have been the emotional climax felt stilted. By far the most interesting parts where Layla with their family and friends and their growth, but instead we waste most of the runtime with an awkward and often forced romance that basically says it is a bad idea to try to date someone different from you. It almost felt like the filmmaker was trying to divide the queer community and gatekeep who is queer enough. And for what? Why would you want to create a movie that sends the message that we should divide ourselves instead of find community and strength in each other? It just feels like a very weird message for a queer movie to deliver, and even Bilal Hasna’s incredible performance in the lead role couldn’t wash the bad taste out of my mouth.
This movie had a lot of pieces that worked well for it but I just kept getting progressively frustrated with what the filmmaker is trying to say. Celebrating diversity, protecting niche spaces within the queer community, and not letting white and pink washed corporate pride predate upon the community are all awesome themes to explore. And for a lot of the movie, it does that, but it seems like Max is shoehorned in and his point of view is given no grace. It seemed like Layla should have realized that Max is NOT as different from themself than they thought, also forced to code switch for his family, and it was a great opportunity to show the universality of the queer experience which connects us all by transcending culture and identity. At least this inspires Layla to open up more to their sister by deciding they do not want to live a double life, but even that conversation which should have been the emotional climax felt stilted. By far the most interesting parts where Layla with their family and friends and their growth, but instead we waste most of the runtime with an awkward and often forced romance that basically says it is a bad idea to try to date someone different from you. It almost felt like the filmmaker was trying to divide the queer community and gatekeep who is queer enough. And for what? Why would you want to create a movie that sends the message that we should divide ourselves instead of find community and strength in each other? It just feels like a very weird message for a queer movie to deliver, and even Bilal Hasna’s incredible performance in the lead role couldn’t wash the bad taste out of my mouth.
