Sometimes the person you think is helping you stand up is actually the one keeping you on your knees.
I just finished watching Crutch, a 2004 indie flick that really captures that early two thousands raw energy. Rob Moretti pretty much did everything here - he wrote it, directed it, and even starred as one of the leads. The story follows David, a teen who is dealing with a pretty brutal home life because of his mother's drinking. It is not exactly a feel-good movie, but it feels honest in a way that big budget films usually miss.
The whole thing has this grainy, low budget look that actually works in its favor. It makes the story feel more like a fly on the wall documentary than a polished drama. Eben Gordon plays David with this really believable vulnerability. You can tell he is just a kid looking for anyone to tell him he is doing a good job. When he joins an acting class and meets Kenny, played by Moretti, you immediately get a weird vibe. Kenny is charismatic and seems like the mentor David needs, but the relationship quickly turns into something way more complicated and toxic.
I liked the performances because they felt very real. Sometimes indie actors can be a bit stiff, but these guys felt like people you might actually know. Moretti is great at playing that guy who is charming one second and totally manipulative the next. The chemistry between him and Gordon is uncomfortable to watch at times, but that is the point. It shows how easy it is to lean on the wrong person when you are desperate for an escape.
If you are into those older gay indie movies that do not try to sugarcoat things, you should definitely give this one a look. It is a bit of a rough ride emotionally, but it stays with you. It is a reminder of how messy things can get when your only support system is just as broken as you are.
