Steel (I) (2015) User Reviews

Gay-themed psychological drama

[mtsinara · 7/10 · 10 September 2017]

I found the film to be somewhat of a psychological mystery, quite good and not what I expected. I had not read any reviews/story line synopsis beforehand, but only had watched the trailer. So, I was not aware of a major aspect of the story line which played out at the end as an unusual, but intriguing twist for me.

The main character Daniel, played by Chad Connell, appeared to be a damaged individual with heavy childhood guilt. He is attractive, has a successful career, but is emotionally stunted. A few of the scenes, whether directed as so, appeared a little awkward, but overall I was impressed with much of Chad Connell's portrayal. One other aspect of the film was that I thought some of the music reminded me of a bygone era and didn't sit right with me. I just thought different music might have been better.

If you are not seeking an action-oriented film, but more of a character study with eye candy, then I would recommend this film as most gay- themed films have vapid characters and unimaginative plots.

OK flick with interesting plot

[cekadah · 6/10 · 2 October 2018]

Here's the set-up: Daniel, played by Chad Connell, is a successful TV career anchor who suddenly finds himself in a panic disorder. What is happening? Then comes along the mysterious but most sexy Alexander. Alexander takes control of Daniel's life (slowly) and by movie's end ole Daniel is back to his normal self.

Here's my interpretation of the plot.- Daniel is crushed emotionally in a midlife crises and he regrets his lost youth and all it could have offered him because he focused himself on his career and suppressed his emotions. Alexander is Daniel's imaginary self and what he wishes it to have been in his lost youth. The sex scenes are just Daniel's masturbation to what he thinks he could have been.

At plots end Alexander disappears because ole Daniel has come to terms with himself and realize youth is gone and it's best to get on with his life.

As I stated it's just my interpretation of the movie. So la-te-da !

Simple and quite boring

[BunmaTan · 6/10 · 12 June 2016]

It's not too bad but it's kinda bad compared to other gay-themed movie.

The two actors are hot (that's the only point in the movie, I suppose). It managed show the struggle of a lonely person would feel, they kinda get me there.

The actors are not that good, and yes the frontal scene is a bonus for 6 star lol

What I would love is that they actually make Alexander real, as if he is a rebellious young kid that comes into the grumpy Daniel's life and made him less lonely. I guess that would be much less interesting tho.

What about the title Steel/I means? There will be a sequel?

Overall, a 6 star is too high.

Starts Slow But Gets Better

[davidscakes · 7/10 · 1 March 2021]

I think it's best to preface this movie by saying the dialogue is not very good and it starts kinda bad. But it gets much better and Chad Connell is hot enough that you could watch it with the sound off and it would still be worth watching. He is actually quite good with the little dialogue he is given. I kept feeling like there is no way this super hot guy with a model face and body is going to get into it with a dude. But he does and his body is as beautiful as his face. I am here to tell you, I have yet to see a more attractive (and masculine) male lead in any gay love story. Let's just say the film is a 6 or 7 but Chad is a 10. Or an 11? The music is way too loud and was mixed poorly, but it's pretty. There is not a gay man alive who won't be thinking about him long after the movie ends.

Too much music and drawn out scenes

[morganfreemanleo · 4/10 · 21 April 2020]

I have never watched a movie in my life with this much music throughout it. It was one long continuous score! It was overly dramatic as well. It would be appropriate at an orchestra event, but not for this film. The whole story could have been told in 30 minutes. There was so much dead air and unnecessary montages.

On a positive note, the set decorator and production designer did a good job.

Paranormal story with good lead actor

[ohlabtechguy · 7/10 · 26 January 2019]

Here we have a gay paranormal story about a hot, successful talk show host who becomes disabled with panic attacks, which stem from a childhood trauma. Lead actor offers a convincing portrayal. Music was a bit too dramatic in some of the early scenes showcasing the panic attacks. Basically, the actor didn't have to act because the music was conveying the "angst" for him. Would love to have seen Mr. Connell in a real gay romance....something that hasn't been done yet. You know...two career minded, wholesome, mature, masculine gay men who happen to fall in love. Don't need to see a lot of skin or the typical bathing/swimming in dirty water. And no smoking, snorting crack or vomiting alcohol....puh-lease!!

Gay man in mental breakdown yawnathon

[t-dooley-69-386916 · 2/10 · 30 May 2016]

This is a hard watch it is about some TV presenter called Daniel who goes a little bit weird at the same time that a cutesie twink decides to enter his life. This is Alexander played by, the unfortunately named, David Cameron. He has all the emotional development of a three month old puppy.

They do some 'getting it on' and have a few dramas as the musical score goes off on o0ne seemingly having been penned for a different film – one that was probably watchable.

This was one of those films that I tried to find something to like. The boys are good looking, but constantly pad about the place wearing as little as possible or as tight as possible – I mean cliché central or what. The dialogue was turgid, the acting almost painful and the plot so bewilderingly pointless that I kept saying – who would really care? Only see if you like a soft porno with acting of a similar calibre – truly bad.

A superb depiction of what healing and wholeness entails

[frsnbrgr2001 · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

I believe this film is worthy of so much appreciation by many men struggling with their identity and truth. How informative, challenging, encouraging!

nice

[Kirpianuscus · 27 March 2021]

Obvious , the purpoise is to be a different film. The embroidery of succes, self isolation, anxiety, panic crisis ,depression, shadows of past, new life are well placed but the work with them seems more complicated than necesary. The story is very simple and it is fair to be so. The contrast between Chad Connell and David Cameron is just brilliant and, in essence, the axis of the film, against the not well coherence. But the fear to not convince to audience of director transforms all in a Baroque construction, in not the most inspired manner. So, a nice film , more than decent.

Steel

[CinemaSerf · 6/10 · 8 May 2023]

Unfortunately, Chad Connell ("Daniel") overacts as a talk show host who thrives on getting big name celebrities to admit things on air and so his ratings soar! Privately, however, he is a psychological and emotional void of a man. He seeks sex from male escorts and has no ties to anyone; he also starts to find himself suffering from panic attacks. His body finds it's own, unique, way of facing his demons and getting him through the trauma. Good efforts from David Cameron ("Alexander" - a sort of Zac Efron-lite) and Tamara Gorski ("Barb") help him to get to the root of his problems and although the pace of this film is really slow, and the frenetic score a bit irritating at times, it is still a decent looking effort with some interesting twists.

Just slightly entertaining

[Coralknight · 4/10 · 16 September 2016]

You really can tell a Canadian indie movie; there's always that overriding vernier of slow-pace coupled with extremely bad bed music. This writing and plot is very weak, and the entire story could have been told in 30 minutes; enough time to expose and resolve the lead character's entire background story, add in a few tawdry gratuitous sex scenes...and yeah, that's pretty much it. The long pan-outs of scenery and mugging for the camera are beyond superfluous. And without spoilers, I pretty much "got" who Alexander was after their third interaction (yes...it was that predictable). The one good thing I can say is the filmography is well done and ranges from the hand-held/shaky technique to give the air of tension to some very elaborate shots which must have required some expensive equipment. In fact, I seriously don't know how the producer got the money to create this movie with such polish (then again, this is a Canadian film, so I'm sure they got a public grant for their required quota of gay films per year). If you have an hour to kill, watch this movie with a remote control so you can fast-forward through the slow parts...you'll need it.

Exceptionally good gay themed movie

[rc19900 · 8/10 · 20 December 2019]

I am always pleased when I see a gay themed movie with good acting, an engaging story, and high production values. Chad Connell put in a very strong performance as an emotionally conflicted gay man as he goes through a major psychological crisis. The cinematography was excellent, and showcased the beautiful city of Winnipeg and the Manitoba countryside. The music by Vincent Ho was absolutely gorgeous. I was looking for the famous composer of the lovely classical piano and violin sonata, and surprised and pleased to discover it was an original score. I hope we see more of Vincent's compositions.

Kind of terrible

[matthewofdunedin · 2/10 · 15 September 2016]

I came in to this expected a run-of-the-mill bad homo film, but this was so painful to watch I had to dig up my decade lost IMDb login details to warn people off it.

The story is a bit flat and corny, the dialogue is cheesy and the score is so far over-the-top as to be jarring.

Basically, for a homo film you'd almost be better just watching porn....

The cast does okay with the material but, really, you would be better off watching pretty much anything else.

Unless you are very in to stories about people going mad, or just really, really, really want to see Chad Connell naked. These are the two thing this films has to offer.

Ultimately better than expected, but the Music????

[dupontbob · 4/10 · 22 April 2021]

At over 90 minutes duration, it's too long. Lead actor actually does a very good job. But the music score and sound effects just kill it. The virtually non-stop piano trio music is unoriginally composed, trite, poorly performed, and played way too loud. Sound effects (think shrieking strings from Pyscho) to accompany Daniel's panic attacks are also over the top. Movie would have been so much better if they'd paid more attention to the sound track, gotten better musical performers and turned the volume down. Strangely, though it took 3 sittings, I did get through the whole thing and came away still liking it.

OMG! How Slow and Boring Can It Be?

[clogteachr-1 · 1/10 · 31 May 2020]

Turned this off with 55 minutes to go with no clue what the storyline was. Slow scenes, music boring and overpowering, hell even the sex scenes were boring.

Came in expecting nothing - was left asking for more.

[outterspaces · 8/10 · 26 April 2016]

I will be short. I gave this an 8. The beginning was a bit shaky, I wasn't sure how serious the main actor was at first. But then it all changed.

The music was way beyond this level of cinema and at moments it was taking your attention away from the story but later on it kinda made sense, too (bravo!).

I truly think this deserves a bit more than 6.5 on IMDb (despite the very low viewership). Even though I figured out the twist from the very beginning, I enjoyed every second of it. Chad Connell's front nudity is a bonus. This is one of those gay films that I'll come back to and think about how it made me feel.

What is this? Drama, reality or mistery

[studioginger · 5/10 · 20 September 2021]

The plot, the characters and the whole script worked out fine at certain length, but after a certain point it gets messy confusing and misguided.

This could be much better if the middle parts weren't missing, the end is jumping over the entire story without giving much attention to the details, quite a good acting considering the bad directing.

Superb!

[frsnbrgr2001 · 10/10 · 13 October 2020]

This is such a well constructed film without any sense of it being so. It is so real. The questions Alexander asks are core questions for everyone. Daniel's transformation credible. I loved the background music though a little too overpowering. Chad and David's acting so convincing. Thank you gentlemen.

Unique thoughtful and at times poignant

[bgoo-19890 · 10/10 · 27 December 2020]

Many times you see mental disorders portrayed on the screen without any real understanding. The writers and Chad Connell the star of this movie definitely did the research. Panic disorder often is triggered by an experience Just like Daniel experienced in the movie . It can be debilitating and as Daniel experienced with his boss and co-worker it is hard to admit often hard to explain. What is truly unique it the creation of the character Alexander. How Alexander helps to heal Daniel through talking and intimacy. Though the movie we learn that Daniel lives in denial. Of his sexuality and things that occurred in his past. We learn 3/4 of the way through the movie after Alexander is killed that Alexander is a projection of a younger Danial .Alexander exists all in Daniels head. It is a beautifully crafted touching story.

What an amazing film!

[fthurston-29424 · 9/10 · 24 May 2016]

OK so I thought to myself "hmmm gay films are never usually that good." But this one is!

It deals with depression, anxiety attacks and loneliness in a way no other film to my mind ever has! Yes the full-frontal was a bonus I agree there.

My only issue and it is a major one, was that this guy that helps him through almost the entire film ends up being imaginary! That was a really big 'up yours' to me and I have to say I would have preferred it if the film ended right after they got home from shopping. Alexander could say 'I love you' for the billionth time (lol) and finally Daniel could say it back. The end.

Don't get me wrong, I totally get why they did this and I'm not saying it didn't make sense because it did, but it just hit me in the gut when they revealed it.

Guys a lot of gay films out there suck. I know this for a fact. But this one, NOT AT ALL!

Well done to Sven Matten and Vincent Ho on piecing together nothing short of a masterpiece.

Great Movie

[lemzoamar · 10/10 · 12 December 2020]

I loved it, one of my favorite movies for sure. Chad Connell played his role very well and suited the character greatly. In general the whole story is based on him and his mental/psycho situation. I loved Alexander character as well, it's catchy and gave a sense to everything. One of my favorite movies and watched it 12 times till now.

Great Work

Very Nice Surprise

[breckstewart · 8/10 · 23 March 2019]

I wasn't expecting to like this movie much so the fact that I love it speaks volume. The story pulled me in and even though the plot twist at the end which I won't reveal (spoiled in other reviews anway) isn't as well executed as one might hope, it still took me by surprise and felt satisfying.

The acting by lead actor Chad Connell as Daniel is by far the best aspect as he delivers a solid and restrained, subtle yet effective performance as a tormented gay man trying to come to grips with his reality. The worst aspect is David Cameron as Alexander who gives a jittery and nervous performance often sounding fake and not really convincing yet he doesn't hurt the movie as much as he could have because he has a fair chemistry with Daniel. Yet this makes me wonder how even better the movie could have been with a different actor.

The cinematography, the direction and the editing were all very good and I really liked that they succeed in showing us how Daniel perceives the world by using different technical tricks and just how conflicted the character is with the actor making the pain and confusion palpable. I first wanted to give this 7 stars but had to deduct 1 for the acting of Cameron yet Connell's performance elevates the movie so much that I added back 2 stars for a strong final rating of 8.

This is by no means a perfect movie nor will it entice everyone watching, some might find it too slow and convoluted and yes, there are some scenes that made me cringe (mostly because of the Alexander character) but overall I really enjoyed it. Somehow the story stayed with me which is always a good sign that a movie achieved what it set out to do, entertain yet touch us in a way that might make a difference. Very well done and I highly recommend it.

This is a psychological thriller

[anythingtastic · 10/10 · 22 January 2020]

I have exactly what this guy in this movie has yes he has panic anxiety disorder but he has a more severe form of social anxiety, this guy features avoidant personality disorder it's a very disabling personality disorder, notice he can't stand large crowds he talks about feeling socially inept and and feelings of inadaqacy this is the first true movie that I have seen that features avoidant personality disorder, it features avoidant personality disorder like the movie Girl Interrupted featured Borderline personality disorder!

Ways to Find Resilience

[larapha · 8/10 · 16 January 2017]

Steel is a good film. It tells the story of a well succeeded TV showman with a problem: he has the panic syndrome. That made him abandons a talk show very interesting, coming home in an inexplicable way. Things become better for he has known a boy very gentle, who keeps appearing in circumstances he badly needs someone for help. The film has lots of candy eye, but that doesn't seem to be a problem for an homophobic audience, since the plot development not is too aggressive, at least from my point of view. So, the film has a good plot, good actors, and twists in the final that will make us understand the whole film. I would certainly recommend it.

A Story To Remember

[ricardo_edm · 8/10 · 1 December 2017]

I have watched this movie several times and every time, it pulls at my heart strings. I cannot make it past one of the final scenes without getting teary-eyed and to this day I keep finding little clues that I have missed in the previous viewings. This movie is similar to The 6th Sense, you need to go back and watch closely so you can see how many things make sense once you know what actually is happening. I was not like many people who figured out the plot from the beginning and the first time I watched it, it took me completely by surprise. Of course, the eye candy doesn't hurt either!