As You Are (2017)

Very disappointing...

So much average

As Good As It Gets

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

I agree in big part with most of the other reviews. The movie is well done and the director's hand is almost a character that sits next to us throughout the film and guides our eyes to where he wants us to look. The script was fantastic, the dialogue was very well paced and didn't feel plastic, and the acting was excellent. The budding relationship between the two sons was telegraphed so it was no big surprise but I must say I was a bit disappointed by the ending (in whichever form you interpret it... was it murder, was it accidental manslaughter, or was is suicide?). Leaving the ending open felt for me like taking away from the characters' personality, almost like providing no closure for them

Miles Joris-Peyrafitte does a spectacular job in conveying the complex emotions of his teenage characters. The film does its best to relate to viewers while also making them largely uncomfortable; in the best way possible for the story. While it does follow in the traditional route most LGBT coming-of-age movies in their ways of sadness and struggle with self-acceptance, it does so rather tastefully.However, it does seem that I am one of the few folks who enjoy the way the movie has split up its time-line. Similar to Dunkirk, the director makes a bold choice in shifting between the present interviews and past memories. This makes what viewers tend to believe as the climax or "end of the story" a prevalent force throughout. While I do agree that the foreshadowing could have been done with just a tad more mystery, I do not believe that doing so was what the cast intended with the story. Therefore, I feel there should be a respect for the decision to leave the ending so raw and out in the open.As it begins, As You Are opens wounds and has you hoping for even more heart-warming moments but leaves you glad it is done exactly the way it is. It truly opens discussions on many topics and while not necessarily happy, the film touches its audience with its profound messages. This film is definitely worth the watch.

"As You Are" is one of those rare films that comes along every two or three years that really resonates with the viewer through its pure unabashed story telling and painful true to life's circumstances.This inspired coming of age film, set in the early to mid 90's is about a single Mom and her son who welcome to their home a man (dating the mother) and his son and the sons become best friends. They are teenagers and cut from the same cloth, so they get attached very quickly. There are several facets to the story line and plot I will not divulge so as to not spoil the film for potential viewers. The film progresses through a taut and harrowing undercurrent of brewing violence and uncertainty from the Adult Man figure and thus, his son rebels and it affects his new friend/roommate/brother of sorts, as Well as the Mother figure. The film illustrates the difficulties teen's face when subjected to ridicule for being outsiders and struggling with their own sexuality. Not to mention Having to deal with an unstable home environment.The story is told from the perspective of a detective interviewing various members of the cast through the eye of a camera's lens, which Is not made clear till the end of the film. the film. This is tackled by the detectives interviews with the various characters portrayed throughout.Acting and Direction was fabulous. Plot and story line tight and told with gritty realism. It addresses some difficult subject matter and by no means is it a "feel good movie", but one well worth watching.I applaud the Director And actors alike for telling a story not easily told or accepted as mainstream popular. There should be more films like "As you are", made. A definite recommendation for anyone tired of the commercial garbage typically pumped daily by large production Co.'s and big name Media giants.

Even with taking note that this is not playing at your local theater, meaning you have to make an effort to see this, I feel even if it was accessible I would have mixed feelings. For while I love loved the characters, loved the plot dealing with Mark and Jack's experimenting, as well as the complicated relationship Mark and Tom have, the way the police investigation is used honestly ruins the movie. For while you understand the purpose is to present intrigue through foreshadowing, you may feel, like I did, that there were probably better ways to execute this story. So while you have to commend Joris-Peyrafitte for this being his first film, you can see that he needs to learn why the adage "Less is more" isn't as much a cliché as it is sound advice.