Hooked (2017)

Simply Perfect

Perfect cast and a good story

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

Very strong but imperfect film about the struggles of homeless gay teens, focusing on Jack (Conor Donnaly), who is battling mental illness and drug abuse and keeping his head above water as a sex worker. He's in a very nicely done loving relationship with another homeless kid (Sean Ormond, who's maybe written as a bit too perfect). One of Jack's clients is a married man (Terrance Mann) who hires Jack to comes to terms with his "urges" but treats him with respect Jack doesn't find with other clients. They have quite an adventure. I'll leave plot points at that. Go watch the movie.Pretty strong debut by Max Emerson, who wrote and directed. Compared to much of indie gay cinema, the film is very well-made. Cinematography and production values are more than competent. The three primary actors are excellent, and Conor Donnaly is remarkable. I hope and expect to see more of him in the future. The supporting cast is by and large good, though there are a few cringe-worthy performances more typical of a lot of LGBT films.The main stories -- Jack's relationships with his BF and his benefactor -- are pretty compelling and held my interest. The secondary story line of the older client's coming to terms with his sexuality and his marriage is poorly written and weakly executed. The older man's "journey" is unrealistic and forced and both his and his wife''s reactions to his "dealing with his urges"/addressing his sexuality are simply not believable. His relationship with Jack isn't even dealt with after the movie's climax and is disturbingly unresolved given promises he's made. That's really the only major flaw in the flick. Overall, though, definitely an impressive first effort by the writer/director and his lead actor.

This Movie has self-harm, sexual content, it also shows body parts. it has strong language, drug use, underage sex and smoking, attempted suicide, murder, rape and sexual abuse I don't agree with the Ken and jack thing that was going on, I believe people should only date and stuff if they are the same age or 2 or 3 years apart at the most and ken is a lot older then jack, ken is like 50 or older then that and jack has only just turned 18 and its just wrong and anyway I see a person of 18 years as still a teenager and people say 19 is the last year of being a teenager, I would say a person of 21 is an adult but no one under that age I liked jack and tom's relationship, they are the same age I believe and they were funny and cute together. tom is really smart and caring and that's why he is my fav charter I like that the Movie covers borderline personality disorder, mental disorders are not talked about much and I keep hearing of borderline personality disorder and I would like to know more about it and after watching this Movie I want to look more into it.

A great idea and positive message that lacked direction and intelligent dialogue.

In this his big screen directorial debut, Director/Writer Max Emerson (who is also an actor " Glee," " The Real O'Neals") unfortunately relishes in presenting exaggerated gay character stereotypes, fights ongoing sound issues, and can't reign in his main characters dialogue. This is too bad, because the story of hustler Jake (played nicely by attractive newcomer Conor Donnally) and his on-the-run boyfriend Tom (the shy Sean Ormond "50K" 2018) has the makings of an intriguing gay storyline. Set against a New York/South Beach backdrop, Jake hooks up with married closeted man Ken (the handsome Terrance Murphy "Burn Notice" TV), who whisks him off to Florida for the weekend, while his wife Jess (the terrific Katie McClellan "The Ultimate Legacy" 2015) sits at home with their baby. Seeing the excursion as a chance for him and Tom to leave their crowded NY hostel, Jake goes all in. When things don't turn out as planned, he picks up his craft in South Beach, coming face to face with psycho client Date-Rape-Dan (played superbly by Jay Alan Christianson "Black-ish" TV). Emerson has all the makings a plausible story, however, wearing too many hats, he was unable to see the excessive dialogue, nor help his actors who needed a little directorial assistance. You won't be "hooked" on "Hooked," but you also won't be disappointed.