Is Danny Lux Gay

I had the unfortunate experience of viewing this motion picture at the Philadelphia Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. While I could elaborate extensively on its numerous shortcomings, I shall instead delineate them into a few key areas:

a) The ensemble cast - Although the attractive male actors were pleasing to the eye, their occasional displays of skin did little to mitigate the distress caused by the abysmal performances I was forced to witness.

b) The screenplay - It is my strong suspicion that the individual(s) responsible for crafting this script have no formal training in screenwriting. The film is replete with stilted dialogue, improbable plot developments, and not a single character possesses an ounce of appeal (they are, for the most part, lamentable examples of humanity, with the exception of Danny's deceased model mother, about whom we know nothing beyond her struggles with substance abuse). I do not inherently object to films featuring unsympathetic characters; however, if the intention is to cultivate antipathy towards everyone, then at least ensure that the narrative offers something engaging.

Furthermore, I believe the director bears responsibility. What possessed him to think that audiences would be drawn to such a catastrophe of a film? The mere presence of aesthetically pleasing men shedding their clothes for ninety minutes is insufficient to hold viewers' attention.

STEER CLEAR OF THIS MOVIE AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!

Langlois demonstrates a keen understanding of the social fabric woven into his narratives. To my knowledge, there is no director from Quebec who addresses the complexities of contemporary, mainstream homosexual existence with Langlois's insight and frankness.

As Langlois operates as a minor independent filmmaker, working outside the mainstream with his consistent collaborator, producer and co-screenwriter Bertrand Lachance, his films possess a distinct vitality and directness. Langlois's most recent endeavor, Danny in the Sky, signifies an advancement for the director. It is a production with a more substantial budget, elevated production values, and sophisticated cinematography, courtesy of Stefan Ivanov, whose previous work includes Rodrigue Jean's raw film Full Blast and the distinctively styled pieces of Chilean auteur Raoul Ruiz, such as Généalogies d'un crime. Featuring attire provided by numerous Quebec designers and a vibrant soundtrack showcasing tracks from electronic music pioneers like DJ Mutante, Les Jardiniers, Luc Raymond, and Alain Vinet, among others, the film serves as a platform for local creative talent. What Danny does provide is valuable insight into the ambiguous nature of sexuality and masculinity. Although rendered an object of admiration and a commodified entity whose body is available for purchase, thereby experiencing a form of feminization, Danny ultimately charts his own path to self-discovery. It is precisely these kinds of observations that sustain my interest in Langlois's cinematic output. He possesses a unique perspective.

Even the most poorly executed film can possess redeeming qualities. In the instance of DANNY IN THE SKY, these are found in the successive scenes featuring magnificent male physiques. It appears that all members of the male cast were contractually obligated to remove their shirts at least once per scene. It goes without saying that all the young men featured in this film (understood in the context of homosexual males, specifically between the ages of eighteen and, perhaps, twenty-six) are exceptionally attractive individuals - their appearance would otherwise render the film pointless - with particular commendation due to Thierry Pepin in the titular role, who may possess the most flawless physique ever captured on film. Regrettably, every instance an actor speaks, the film suffers an intellectual decline. The writing, acting, scenic design, and direction are all consistently subpar. Given that this film originated in French (from Quebec) and is presented with English subtitles, the optimal method for experiencing the DVD is without subtitles, or alternatively, with the sound completely muted, which should aid in focusing your attention on the film's singular justification: the physical form of Thierry Pepin.

To present this as a film centered on homosexual themes is an affront. The protagonist is not gay; Danny's actions throughout the movie demonstrate no indication of his sexual orientation. He actively pursues women for the entirety of the film, ultimately forming a relationship with one of the most irritating female characters featured. One's impulse is to physically remove the ever-present camera from her grasp.

The film itself is mediocre at best. None of the characters are particularly engaging, and the disgruntled father appears nearly as handsome as his on-screen son.

This cinematic production depicts a world populated by men who favor ostentatious and effeminate attire while striving to project a studly image; it is hardly worth more than a cursory glance at the lead actor, who is undeniably striking.

Upon attending the screening of Danny in the Sky, I found myself alone in the theater, a situation that became understandable after witnessing what I consider the poorest Quebecois film produced in the last five years. The acting is amateurish, the narrative is dull, and the entire production feels excessively pretentious. They ought to have enlisted actual actors rather than professional models. My decision to watch the film was influenced by reports of the director's immense pride in his work and his meticulous casting process. However, this clearly indicates an overestimation of his own capabilities! What I fail to comprehend is how the director managed to secure governmental funding for this project (which is the standard practice in Canada, where every film receives state subsidies due to the lack of entrepreneurs willing to invest their own capital in filmmaking). It begs the question of how taxpayer funds can be allocated to such a film when a commendable small production like "Stephanie, Nathalie, Caroline and Vincent" (created in Quebec in 2001) was unable to secure even a single cent from the government and was entirely financed by its producer?