"Gerontophilia" was a very difficult film for me to watch and I am sure it would be for most viewers. This isn't a criticism--just a statement about the sort of topics you'll see addressed in this odd film. It's very challenging and isn't the sort of movie I could strongly recommend nor is it something for kids, but it is worth seeing if you are a patient sort of person and don't mind being shocked.
This Canadian film is a creepy story about a young man who works with the elderly. Why is it creepy? Well, over time Lake finds that he's become sexually attracted towards some of the elderly men in his care...and this isn't really the creepy part. However, his interest soon goes far beyond a passing fancy. Lake begins to not only fantasize about them sexually but even peeks at a naked man while he's sleeping and he pleasures himself while doing so. Clearly, this is NOT just about sexual attraction but crosses over the border...a very uncomfortable one indeed. After all, even if his love interest were younger or a woman, such behavior would most likely get Lake arrested! Fortunately, the film doesn't dwell on this too long...but I am sure that many viewers will be turned off by this. It's a shame really, as the film seemed to have too many interesting ideas but all together it just made the film confusing. In other words, having a young guy fall in love with an elderly person (male or female) could have been very good in a film that isn't a comedy like Harold and Maude. After all, while a taboo, what is wrong with a May-December romance? Most films that broach the topic give us the message that the younger partner must be a woman, so it is nice for a young guy to fall in love with an elderly person in a movie. But the film goes far beyond just love...and that is what is troubling.
The bottom line is that while I did think the plot was overly complicated and muddled by Lake being what many would consider a sex offender at the nursing home, the film dares to be different. More importantly, however, the film has some excellent things going for it. The music is just terrific and really works well with the movie. The directing (aside from a bad edit where Lake inexplicably changes sides of the bed in the same scene without getting up) is also very sweet and deliberate. I'd really like to see more from the director and I wouldn't object to a gay or gerontological theme- -just not these AND a creepy guy who goes way beyond friendship or even love.
This Canadian film is a creepy story about a young man who works with the elderly. Why is it creepy? Well, over time Lake finds that he's become sexually attracted towards some of the elderly men in his care...and this isn't really the creepy part. However, his interest soon goes far beyond a passing fancy. Lake begins to not only fantasize about them sexually but even peeks at a naked man while he's sleeping and he pleasures himself while doing so. Clearly, this is NOT just about sexual attraction but crosses over the border...a very uncomfortable one indeed. After all, even if his love interest were younger or a woman, such behavior would most likely get Lake arrested! Fortunately, the film doesn't dwell on this too long...but I am sure that many viewers will be turned off by this. It's a shame really, as the film seemed to have too many interesting ideas but all together it just made the film confusing. In other words, having a young guy fall in love with an elderly person (male or female) could have been very good in a film that isn't a comedy like Harold and Maude. After all, while a taboo, what is wrong with a May-December romance? Most films that broach the topic give us the message that the younger partner must be a woman, so it is nice for a young guy to fall in love with an elderly person in a movie. But the film goes far beyond just love...and that is what is troubling.
The bottom line is that while I did think the plot was overly complicated and muddled by Lake being what many would consider a sex offender at the nursing home, the film dares to be different. More importantly, however, the film has some excellent things going for it. The music is just terrific and really works well with the movie. The directing (aside from a bad edit where Lake inexplicably changes sides of the bed in the same scene without getting up) is also very sweet and deliberate. I'd really like to see more from the director and I wouldn't object to a gay or gerontological theme- -just not these AND a creepy guy who goes way beyond friendship or even love.