Runtime: 90 Minutes – Country: Canada – S: Surrealism – A: For Adults Only
“It is just a part of growing up…”
This unusual film is focusing on the life of young Nicholas (Jeff Sutton), and his serious inner struggle. He founds himself intensely attracted to another boy from his class, named Bobby (David Turnbull) – his feelings for Nicholas however seem to be uncertain. Soon Nicholas‘ passed away father is appearing – not only in his dreams, but rather by steady accompanying him. He tries to draw Nicholas away from Bobby, pressing him into the direction of the local school girls – but it is not quite working…
Bobby is also trying to convince Nicholas about the girls…
One day Nicholas decides to risk everything: he kisses Bobby while they are talking the shed, which is at the same time his possibility of withdrawal – what results in a serious problem: Bobby is ashamed, feeling very uncomfortable with the situation. Even more: his persona is splitting – figuratively spoken or not. But there are two version of him now: one “normal” that seems to do not know anything about the kissing – and one “goulish” version that seems to be seriously hurt; mentally spoken. From this point on Nicholas takes care of this “goulish” version of his former friend – which is not really human at all. He tries to hide it from everyone, desperately trying to figure out a solution…
Bobby and Nicholas after the incidence…
… and this is just when the whole thing starts to get really complicated. Not only in terms of the inscrutable storyline, but also referring to the audience. Jeff Erbach has done a remarkable job here – but this certainly is nothing that can be watched alongside. This film is demanding a lot – at least one’s total attention. Since it works with a lot of symbolism, hidden clues – and experimentalizes with the borders between reality and imagination. Certainly not always to the full comprehension of the viewer.
Warning, Spoilers ! Since the characters are not very transparent, their aims doubtful – for example take Nicholas‘ father. I experienced him as some sort of ghost, who seems to take care for his son – but manipulates things at his leisure; on a fictive level, of course. What also leads to Nicholas‘ personal splitting later… the interesting aspect certainly is that this now detached sensible part of Nicholas is lead to a lonesome house where he must remain – obviously forever. If you look close, you can see another young boy, sitting sadly in a dark corner – obviously for a long time, he is already cobwebbed. I am assuming that this also is Nicholas – a former version of him, which maybe has fallen for another serious trauma – and was therefore split of as well, quasi for his own protection. I think that these scenes are indeed covering the ability of human repression – in a very metaphorical way.
Nicholas is getting in touch with his mom’s new boyfriend
The overall ending is not that felicitous – the father seems to carry on, although he seemed to have “cured” his son from his homosexual feelings. He accompanies Nicholas further on – once again an evidence for the father being some kind of a mental judge, working together with the human subconsciousness. What leads to more common themes like the overall bad conscience, and of course: thoughts and reflections on the inflexible expectations of society. In my opinion: an unusual and exciting motion picture that is dealing with many different and important topics. The main attention however is certainly drawn to the Nicholas‘ homosexuality, his differentness; and the general ways of acting out one’s inner feelings in the society – this flick is just brilliantly showing how difficult this can be if they are not too common.
Nicholas # 2 is following his father – he’s dead, but still a scary lifeform
The acting part is just outstanding. Especially Jeff Sutton as Nicholas does a remarkable job here. Such as referring to the camera work and overall technical impression – basically I would have nothing to complain about. However, sometimes it appeared a little too dark. It seems that this film manages to get along with a rather small budget – but the unique outcome can definitely convince. An unusual approach on a serious topic; I basically liked it. Though it was very disturbing somehow – and not always fully comprehensible. In any case: it could kick off many further discussions – 7.7/10.
The Dvd has a short audio commentary in the specials-section, with Jeff Erbach and Jeff Sutton getting a chance to speak. An interesting fact: this commentary has been recorded 5 years after the film came out, that is also why Jeff Sutton has a rather deep voice now… I listened to it recently, but unfortunately there is not given too much information about the content and message of this film.
I tend to like more realistic movies – serious dramas mainly lately -which is why I disliked the Nature of Nicholas. If I have to be honest I would not even consider it as a passable film . As I mentioned in my review I think that the movie was unnecessary long – and in general would have been better even in the format of a short movie in which still the main ideas will be expressed but the viewer won`t get bored.
It seems that we are having a different opinion here… I basically liked this (overall surrealistic) film. Maybe just because of it’s uniqueness – what I maybe tend to overprice sometimes. But your thought on this is certainly interesting: would this topic be better suited for a short film ? I don’t know… for now I am glad that this one came out at last.
Of course we are bound to have different opinions on some things. This is only natural. I think that a 10 – 15 minute short movie would have been really good – after the other self appeared in the movie nothing really happened – which to me felt almost like they were thinking that the viewer won`t get it – and decided to prolong the scenes. Part of me not liking the movie is probably because my expectations of it were set really high …