The Lost Coast (2008) Reviews

• Haunting character study of sexual truths

  larry-4112008-03-15

  I attended the World Premiere of "The Lost Coast," which was in the narrative features competition at the 2008 SXSW Film Festival. It's an emotionally charged film that has broad appeal despite its controversial subject matter. "The Lost Coast" is a tale told in real time of a trio of high school friends, Mark, Jasper, and Lily, who reunite one Halloween for a night of good cheer. Memories of an unspoken sexual past between the two boys come back to haunt them as night turns to day and each must confront his or her own fears and beliefs. What may have been typical teen experimentation at the time is now an obstacle to continued friendship. Director Gabriel Fleming places us in the position of an observer -- a voyeur, almost -- as we watch the events unfold at a slow, deliberate pace. The film has an unscripted feel and the action is punctuated by the device used to tell the story -- Jasper (who is now straight) is emailing his girlfriend about the experience he had this night with Mark (who is now gay) and revealing his past to her. He types, we see, and so on. "The Lost Coast" definitely has an indie feel, with natural lighting and simple visuals. The exteriors in and around San Francisco and the Pacific coastline are truly breathtaking. The score was a highlight for me -- the haunting music, long takes and tracking shots with generous use of hand-held camera, and the film's slow pace reminded me of "Mean Creek," one of my all-time favorite indies. It's a style that builds tension and is best used when a study of relationships is at the heart of the story, which perfectly applies here. This is the type of character-driven piece which does well at festivals but often has a tough go of it even on the art house circuit. It will have an audience on DVD, though, as there are several distributors who would jump at the chance to pick up a film in this genre.

• Please....Won't somebody help Wendy....just warn her...

  arizona-philm-phan2010-06-29

  Writer/Director Gabriel Fleming gives us a trio of former high school mates (plus one more who's a tagalong or everyman, perhaps representing we viewers). They reconnect on a current-day Halloween night in a search for fun and drugs (and old feelings). While doing so they relive a high school period visit to Northern California's Lost Coast (yes, there is such a place---just look for yourself on Wikipedia). Making up our little trio we have gay Mark and "straight" (ha, ha, ha) Jasper, both in the company of fag-hag-DON'T-wannabe, Lily, who would give just about anything to convert our Mark to her hetero lifestyle. Howsomever, little Markey-Mark would love nothing better than to make a reticent (ha, ha, ha) Jasper forget that he (J) is trying way too hard (oh, you don't see it either) to "be straight." Yes, Mark's in love, and his feelings for Jasper are about to do him in. On the other side of this twosome coin, we have big, confused Jasper who spends part of his time, at various stages of the film, writing an email to fiancée (yes, I did say fiancée), Wendy. Therein he tries to explain the "small mistake" he made in consorting with Mark during their high school days (although, however will he explain his similar behavior during the group's latest seashore visit). In his words to Wendy he's very adamant that his past behavior means nothing now (even tho we viewers are witnesses during this second visit to the Lost Coast, as Jasper both kisses and masturbates Mark). And while to us actions are stronger than words, perhaps it's his cleaning his cum-covered hand with area sand which throws Mark into an emotional downspin. So, here we are at film's end, seeing group members go their way, and we're left with a tearful Jasper wondering what the hell his orientation really is. BUT at the same time we do get to listen in as he finishes up his "forgive me---it meant nothing" email to an innocently unknowing Wendy. Wait....wait, there's more. Thanks to our director in his film's very last frame, who should we see smiling up at us while comfortably reading on a couch, but the sweet looking young woman, herself.....completely unaware that life is about to be ruined by a man who cannot admit what he wants and who he really is. ****

• Excellent portrayal of fear and longing

  akeith1062010-07-08

  This film follows a group of high school friends on a Halloween night as they wander through San Fransisco in search of ecstasy and a good time. The story is narrated by Jasper as he is writing an email to his fiancé. They are on a mission to relive the old days, but didn't expect to confront the old demons of their pasts. Mark, the obviously gay friend, and Jasper, the supposedly straight one, had a sexual relationship while in high school. Wendy dated Jasper in high school. Wendy desperately wants to have a relationship with Mark. Mark is still in love with Jasper. Jasper is now engaged to be married. During their exploits through the city, Mark & Jasper are forced to confront their sexual past, their fears, and their beliefs. As night turns to day, their pasts pulls them apart and appears to place a strain on their continued friendship. I personally, loved this film. It is a slow paced, character-driven piece that reflects what I believe is both sides of the "Am I Gay?" question, and the difficulties they can present to some friendships after romance/sexual encounters. To me, it portrays the fear that many gay men experience before and during their "coming out".

• How a High school education prepares a group of people to deal with their lives

  kuhske-12012-06-17

  *Possible Spoiler* Uninteresting to say the least for those who are up-to-date with gay people's presence and the latter's impact in their lives, the movie might be what the director thought would appeal to those straight viewers brainwashed in the belief that gay people choose a devilish lifestyle and are antagonistic toward them. The pacing is even slower than daytime soaps (e.g., Days of Our Lives), so those who can tolerate that pace will likely find it hard to sustain their interest in this low budget film. But it could only be this target because watching it will fortify their current anti-gay ideology. Upon scrutiny, I find its plot so illogical. The scenes to the Lost Coast are shown several times, but the primary setting is in modern day San Francisco. Ironically, the confused character, if he were really confused and not really gay at all, has access to counseling and resources to find out once and for all what orientation he is and just tell a gay man that he isn't gay or not interested. But that's not the case, so the viewers are then left wondering why he is so naïve, or worse, such a dramatic wreck. The clinging character whose affection for the former character is rejected could have easily worked out his unrequited love for the former as he lives in San Francisco. He could have gone on to meet decent men, one or more of whom will reciprocate his affection. It makes no sense unless these high school graduates have no reasoning skills. Perhaps the director and writer wishes to point out that a high school education tantamounts to nothing useful to help its graduates live their lives. If this is the case, then he succeeds. My interest is sustained to watch the movie to completion based on this premise. Obviously, the director and producer must have an intended audience for this costly project. For young adults who are exposed to the quickened pace of dramatized story telling and relatively decent portrayal of gay people in prime time TV (90210), this film is definitely not their target.

• Lost Your Way?

  thesar-22011-02-15

  My friend at work is more into gay independent dramas. Mostly romantic comedy and perky gay independent cinema. Still, I recommended The Lost Coast to him. While I can appreciate a lot of the efforts, and some both thoroughly impresses and inspires me, unfortunately, they're a rare breed. Sad. I wish there were more for the world to see. And even though I support the creation of such ideas in these all-but film-student's heads, I wish more would be in the main stream. There should be more mountains out there than just the broken back kind! That all said, I really liked this extremely short, yet, slow moving drama of the adventures of the E-Group through San Francisco on Halloween night. Basically, and it is a basic premise, four friends are wanting to continue their Halloween partying by scoring some ecstasy. Failing in a more serious tone than Quick Change's band of criminal's comical journey outside of NYC, these kids (yeah – anything 10-15 or so more years younger than yours truly are KIDS to me) must make it from point A (the street scene) to point B (the other side of town) to get their drug. All the while, they learn about each other, namely the straight (and engaged) dude, Jasper (McGregor) and his potentially curious past nature with his promiscuous best (and openly) gay guy, Mark (Alifano.) They throw in the obligatory fag-hag (per se) Lily (Benner) and mischievous friend, Caleb (Yule) to move things/plot along. While the eye-candy is abundant, for both older and younger crowds, my award for best in show was McGregor. Of course, while that's neither here nor queer, the performances, the mood and the wonderful cinematography of a different POV of the city's nightlife, forests, park and beach, is what grabbed me. I know Lily's costume of a mask on the back of her head was a prop, it was pretty cool to see her always walking away from the camera. Now, the movie's not without its faults, such as the out-of-left-view dead body incident that comes and goes in a flash – does this really happen often in either these people's lives or the city's, or the pacing problem. But at 74 minutes, it's worth a viewing. It won't change your minds, but it will give you more perspective on the straight and open-mind'ness of guys of today's times. When it used to be such taboo to not cross lines, no matter what – thanks macho men of the 70s, it's refreshing that people can open up.