Closet Monster 2015
Directed by Stephen Dunn
Reviewed by Eddie Balogh
Dunn's 2015 semi-autobiographical debut is a superb piece of filmmaking.
Closet Monster follows the life of Oscar Madley through his uneasy childhood into adulthood. The split of his parents at an early age, his father's homophobic and ignorant remarks as well as witnessing a gay hate crime affects Oscar in the years to come, as it would any child.
Flash forward and Oscar (played by the captivating Connor Jessup) is now a senior finishing high school and hoping to go to an arts school for SPFX makeup. He lives with his pressing and tempestuous father and his pet hamster Buffy (voiced by the one and only Isabella Rosellini) whom he looks to for guidance. Oscar's best friend Gemma (Sofia Banzhaf) is also a big part of his life. As Oscar begins to develop a crush coupled with a looming sexual desire for his coworker he fantasizes about his coworker in the workplace bathroom, he has his hands down his pants when suddenly he abruptly jolts out of it when he visualizes a bloody rod pushing out from his abdomen symbolizing his internalized homophobia and shame - two things that can take a lifetime to overcome.
Dunn's approach to his material is refreshing as elements of magical-realism are superbly crafted. He really pushes the boundaries of the conventional coming of age tale.
As Oscar strives to leave his native Newfoundland for his dream school in NYC he is eventually struck with disappointing news. "Unfortunately, under careful review..." reads his admission letter. After not getting into the only school he applied to, he has a small altercation with his father and storms out to go to a costume party at Wilder's as an act of authenticity. After taking drugs a euphoria induced Oscar dances with a guy, however while they are dancing, he notices Wilder making out with someone else. He then proceeds to hook up with the guy from the party in the downstairs bathroom. This is a turning point for him as he is compensating for the built-up shame from all those years.
The following day as he has a revelation, he visits his mother and wants to move in with her, away from his volatile father. He returns back home for his hamster only to realize that his father has killed it. The climactic final act shows Oscar's parents arguing and Oscar simultaneously freeing himself out of toxic shame and internalized homophobia as he literally pulls out the metal rod from his abdomen in a bloody succession. It is here that we realize how much he has developed and transformed from the boy he was in the beginning of the film. Jessup's performance is nothing short of phenomenal, he is truly fascinating to watch.
Closet Monster is a reminder to be kinder to one's self, self-acceptance and self-discovery are as necessary as they are liberating. It is quite rare to see this type of film radiate such imaginative and visually striking imagery with such originality. Stephen Dunn is a sublime filmmaker to look out for.
I rate Closet Monster 5 stars.
Closet Monster follows the life of Oscar Madley through his uneasy childhood into adulthood. The split of his parents at an early age, his father's homophobic and ignorant remarks as well as witnessing a gay hate crime affects Oscar in the years to come, as it would any child.
Flash forward and Oscar (played by the captivating Connor Jessup) is now a senior finishing high school and hoping to go to an arts school for SPFX makeup. He lives with his pressing and tempestuous father and his pet hamster Buffy (voiced by the one and only Isabella Rosellini) whom he looks to for guidance. Oscar's best friend Gemma (Sofia Banzhaf) is also a big part of his life. As Oscar begins to develop a crush coupled with a looming sexual desire for his coworker he fantasizes about his coworker in the workplace bathroom, he has his hands down his pants when suddenly he abruptly jolts out of it when he visualizes a bloody rod pushing out from his abdomen symbolizing his internalized homophobia and shame - two things that can take a lifetime to overcome.
Dunn's approach to his material is refreshing as elements of magical-realism are superbly crafted. He really pushes the boundaries of the conventional coming of age tale.
As Oscar strives to leave his native Newfoundland for his dream school in NYC he is eventually struck with disappointing news. "Unfortunately, under careful review..." reads his admission letter. After not getting into the only school he applied to, he has a small altercation with his father and storms out to go to a costume party at Wilder's as an act of authenticity. After taking drugs a euphoria induced Oscar dances with a guy, however while they are dancing, he notices Wilder making out with someone else. He then proceeds to hook up with the guy from the party in the downstairs bathroom. This is a turning point for him as he is compensating for the built-up shame from all those years.
The following day as he has a revelation, he visits his mother and wants to move in with her, away from his volatile father. He returns back home for his hamster only to realize that his father has killed it. The climactic final act shows Oscar's parents arguing and Oscar simultaneously freeing himself out of toxic shame and internalized homophobia as he literally pulls out the metal rod from his abdomen in a bloody succession. It is here that we realize how much he has developed and transformed from the boy he was in the beginning of the film. Jessup's performance is nothing short of phenomenal, he is truly fascinating to watch.
Closet Monster is a reminder to be kinder to one's self, self-acceptance and self-discovery are as necessary as they are liberating. It is quite rare to see this type of film radiate such imaginative and visually striking imagery with such originality. Stephen Dunn is a sublime filmmaker to look out for.
I rate Closet Monster 5 stars.