Cinephile No. 998 “Spoiler Alert”
Recommendation: 5/5 SHOWTIME
Plot: “The story of Michael Ausiello and Kit Cowan’s relationship that takes a tragic turn when Cowan is diagnosed with terminal cancer.” -IMDB
Review: We know the end of Spoiler Alert from the very beginning. This will be another movie about a couple falling in love, suffering hardships, and perseverance. So, if we know the end, why invest the time? Because what waits at the end of this film is yet another universal story that possesses the power to bridge another gap between the perceptions of queer relationships and reality.
Before we get there, I must confess something. If a critic doesn’t tell you how a film made them feel, then they are not being totally honest with you. They can preach all day about technical achievements, writing, or direction, but if they don’t place themselves in the middle of a story (if only for a moment), they are doing you a disservice.
So, I must be honest with you. The film wrecked me emotionally. Ten years ago, I am sure I would have heaped this on a pile of movies that is reaching the point of an avalanche. Yet, today, I find myself in a committed relationship. After eight years with my partner, I found it nearly impossible not to place myself in the shoes of the characters on the screen. We could easily be the couple on the screen. Suddenly, this was not just another story. This was a story that had the potential to be mine. My review and reaction changed with this reality.
Another change happened as I watched the performances of Jim Parsons as Michael Ausiello, and Ben Aldridge as Kit Cowan. Together, they portrayed a couple with fierce emotional vulnerability. As we watch them cycle through the stages of a relationship, we live the lives of a couple as they nervously learn about each other. We succumb to the challenges that all relationships face. We feel the full weight of Kit’s diagnosis, the flirtations with the weight of possibility, and the genuine sadness of the end. From the dance floor to an empty house, this film is an emotional journey made believable by its lead performers.
At this stage of my life, I find myself seeking and reacting strongly to films centered on authenticity. If a film can pull a strong emotional reaction out of me, then I find myself easily tempted to call it perfect. That reaction does not always have to be sadness. It can be joy, amazement, anxiety, bewilderment, or any of the other thousand emotions that define the human condition.
This film feels authentic. It feels like it could be my story. It made me cry, laugh, and love a little more. Nowadays, I don’t know if I can ask for more than that.
Be good to each other,
Nathan
