a film by Eldar Rapaport 2011 | 100 mins | US ›› August when love doesn't die. Some short films seemingly cry out for feature length adaptation and thankfully in this instance Eldar Rapaport's compelling work Postmortem upon which this film is based, is now present in all of its one hundred minute glory. It tells the story, as in the short itself, of lovers that were Troy and Jonathan (formerly Thomas) who years after their traumatic break-up, meet for a coffee and chat upon Troy's unexpected return to Los Angeles. Still clearly in love with the man he cast aside for a career abroad, Troy's hopes for a romantic reunion with his ex are soon to be given a reality check upon learning that Jonathan has all but moved in with sexy Spaniard Raul. Yet that detail doesn't stop Troy and Jonathan from openly flirting with each other, telling glances that signal to one and all, including a perceptive Raul, that a spark of romance is still simmering below the surface of their now officially platonic friendship. Only how long is it set to remain that way? Wonderfully reprising their previous roles, here we find Murray Bartlett and Daniel Dugan delight in characters that are all too realistic, as subtle eye movements speak volumes on feelings of the heart. It is a story that both Eldar Rapaport and Brian Sloan of I Think I Do / WTC View fame, have conceived with considerable TLC. For whilst in essence a variant of the classic love triangle scenario, such is the honesty of the piece, that the emotional turmoil that ensues when a man is caught between his past and present lovers is vividly laid bare for all to see, even if it is apparent from the onset that something has to give, at some stage. That Rapaport takes his time to get there, is not a criticism. Rather this unrushed work is drenched in characterisation, crosscut with past and present time frames that work, let alone topped off by a captivating Middle Eastern score. Yet it is equally gay to the core, with a heat wave providing an apt excuse for shirts to come off in an abundant display of man flesh, that here refreshingly caters for lovers of both the buffed and bear variety. And whilst additional characters as expected are to be found, this sharply directed relationship drama is in the main built around its three lead players, with Adrian Gonzalez splendid in the role of Raul. That it was only a matter of time before things start to become heated between Jonathan's two lovers, results in a sequence in which and not surprisingly, some choice language is to be heard. But even here, Rapaport delights in taking one of his many lush narrative turns, culminating in a beautifully rendered tale of when love doesn't die. Seductive and sensual, to put it mildly. Gay Visibility - overt.  Nudity - the full monty.  Overall - file under ... 4 stars.  ›› Available to buy from Amazon.co.uk. available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue: 13.February.2012 / UK. screened as part of the 5th edition of the IRIS Prize International Film Festival, Wales - 2011. winner: Best Feature Film | winner: Best Actor - Murray Bartlett. starring: Murray Bartlett / Troy, Daniel Dugan / Jonathan, Adrian Gonzalez / Raul, Hillary Banks / Nina, Bernhard Forcher / Sean, Brad Standley / Devon, Mike Vaughn / Nick, David LeBarron / Bob, Tod H Macofsky / Ken and Eddie Conna as the Company Director. music by Surque. additional music by Harel Shachal and Anistar. official website: erapfilms.com/august Copyright 2012 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #463 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹