Hunky Boyd (Dylan Vox, aka porn star Brad Benton) is a handsome but hapless young man who has just been abandoned by his lover.
Homewrecker (2009)
imdb user:
Homewrecker was a fun enough experience, although the fact is that the only character the audience is really rooting for is supposed to be the bad guy. Sort of, anyway. Dylan Vox is better than the script really deserves, and Rebekah Kochan plays a fantastic small part that, thanks to her screen presence, seems much more significant to the story.
It’s full of funny situations and hijinks, and there were plenty of laughs to be had. I also liked that most of the cast were older — it’s rare to see older men in gay-themed films, and that was a huge plus! But the central problem, and it’s one that becomes increasingly obvious as the film goes on, is that Shawn/Boyd was seriously traumatized by something Derrick and Colin, the main couple, were responsible for and clearly forgot about. It’s not to say that Boyd is to be excused for everything he does, but…it also wasn’t his fault, it was theirs. They never really own up to it, and the overwhelming tone is that we’re supposed to just forget about it and that, somehow, Boyd is to be blamed…for damage caused by other people. It’s not to say that what he does is always right, but shouldn’t these things raise more questions, and more meaningful questions at that, than they do? None of the couples we’re supposed to sympathize with are particularly likable, except the two that own the fetishwear shop, and they’re underdeveloped.
So we’re left with an unsatisfying conclusion that just seems like it’s making a joke out of an industry that revolves around exploitation and selling out. It’s especially unfortunate since it just perpetuates a cycle of abuse…which is shown more than adequately by the film’s end. I’m sure it’s something some won’t think about, and apparently the writers didn’t think about either. But at the same time, it really takes away from the fun and enjoyment of the film for those of us who have considered it.
And on a side note: there’s no way this would be what it’s supposed to be. Legally, it’s just not something that would work, and it certainly wouldn’t leave Boyd in a situation he seemed to be in later. But it’s also utterly unbelievable, and while it’s easy to suspend disbelief before the end, the resolution itself is too ludicrous to be endured. Sorry, I don’t buy it. And I don’t want to, since Boyd was the most enjoyable character on screen.
But it’s a fun film other than that, at least for one viewing. Dylan Vox is always a pleasure, and he’s always emanating charm and attractiveness. He’s also a surprisingly good actor, and he’s lent his talents to a number of productions and has yet to disappoint. He’s always a lot of fun, and I can always enjoy at least his part in this film.
I just really wish the script had been tighter and the writers had considered things they obviously didn’t. I understand that it’s impossible to account for casting when writing a role, but in this case, it really led to disaster. Something that should have been a fun, light romp became a more contemplative and sombre affair that left a bitter taste. That’s a shame, especially considering what it could have been. The main characters are really hard to sympathize with and hard to like, but they’re who the script assumes we’re going to, and as a result, it’s profoundly unsatisfying.
Hopefully the production will try again and have more success at a different approach, a different project. If they do, they’ll be lucky to get someone as good as Dylan Vox.
