Plot: What’s it about?
Michael Gavin (Jason Butler Harner) and his partner Daniel (Cheyenne Jackson) have left the bustle of New York City, moving to the more relaxed locale of a small Connecticut town. The two hope to find a more tranquil life in the new town, with Daniel working as a caterer and Michael as a teacher at a private school. Michael decides to keep his sexual preference obscured at work, opting to avoid the subject as much as possible. He soon learns that gossip is rampant at the school (and the town as a whole), which really kicks in when he befriends a young student. The student’s parents suspect improper conduct, which leads to the town turning against Michael. A past criminal incident becomes brought into the light, one that even Daniel was unaware of, isolating Michael even more. As time passes and Michael secures a lawyer who specializes in these kind of cases, can he clear his name and prove his innocence, and will he mend the rift with Daniel?
I had heard a lot of good things about The Green, including quite a number of film festival award wins. While a lot of films about gay relationships have been made, not many have been able to break into the mainstream. The Green is the kind of film that could do just that. The film works because it focuses on the relationship between two men, in a warm, natural way that makes The Green feel grounded. The writer doesn’t preach or beat us over the head, he simply crafts a believable relationship and the actors handle the rest. The performances are terrific for the major players, but especially from the two leads. The two share solid chemistry and make the relationship seem natural and honest. The Green does drop into overly melodramatic territory toward the conclusion, which is a let down. The rest of the movie is so natural and effective, I was disappointed to see it become a cliche at the end. But even so, The Green is still a solid movie and is worth a look.
Video: How does it look?
The Green is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The image is clear and clean, though of course detail isn’t quite what we’d see in a high definition release. The visuals show natural colors and accurate contrast, while flesh tones look just as they should. I didn’t notice any errors to speak of either, so this is a rock solid transfer.
Audio: How does it sound?
A Dolby Digital 5.1 option is present, but the film doesn’t require much more than the basics. The dialogue is the focus and that means minimal surround presence, but that is fine in this case. The surrounds get a little kick now and then, especially from the music, but by and large, the mix is low key. The vocals are the focal point and dialogue sounds great, with consistent volume and clarity throughout. This disc also includes a 2.0 soundtrack.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes some deleted scenes, as well as the film’s trailer.
