Review of Yes

Yes (2019)
8/10
An Underseen Gem
8 August 2021
Tim Realbuto is the writer of this film and also plays the main character, Patrick.

Patrick, a former child star, now a disgraced adult due to a controversy surrounding an alleged relationship with an underage boy. We are never completely sure how true this allegation was, however, the damage was done and now Patrick has turned to alcohol and pills to cope with life.

After being forced to go to his niece's high school production of Romeo & Juliet, Patrick becomes smitten with the talented actor playing Romeo, a sensitive young man named Jeremiah (Nolan Gould of TV's Modern Family) and offers to mentor him. It is the relationship between these two characters that really give the film its pulse.

I had a few problems with the film as a whole which at times felt very low budget despite the excellent script. There is an extended scene of Patrick watching in disgust as the obligatory montage of his untalented private students try to impress him despite their lack of talent and skill. I did wonder how this mess of a man would be able to keep any students.

Yet, Patrick actually has a lot of knowledge to give to someone. His lessons with Jeremiah make this clear and we become invested in how the relationship will play out. Nolan Gould is very well cast and appealing as the protege who may or may not be as naive as Patrick thinks. Their scenes together are electric.

YES was originally a play and watching the film made me wish I had had the opportunity to see it live on stage.
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