thesar-2
Red Without Blue is a cute little documentary. Cute, yes. Inspiring, perhaps.The short, short little film centers on twin boys who happen to be gay. One will grow strong, as in, with facial hair while the other gets Daddy to remove that same ailment.All the while, you will learn that these 20-something kids will suffer through drugs, sexual identity, separation of themselves and then of their parents. Not to mention a mother who, literally, calls them young adults who she knows, not birthed.The style of the film is remarkable and very pleasing to the eye. And the heart's in the right place. Unfortunately, the movie skips all over the place and barely lands on solid ground in order to put us, the viewers, on the right track to know where and why they ended up the lost/regained souls they will become. In 2007, that is. I wonder where they are today.Sure, I can do research. But that's why I watch documentaries. To let them do it for me. Maybe, that's my fault: for letting all-but 4 years pass before this film's premiere and my viewing.Nevertheless, it's a touching film of two twins, one draped in blue and the other red – I'm guessing the parents, who didn't know until the last possible minute the birth could conceive two kids, weren't really prepared. And it's wonderfully shot with someone with a good eye.It's not groundbreaking, though it's interesting. Heck, it's only 74 minutes. It has a father of two boys who actually cares about his two boys, both of whom are gay, one of which is transgender. That, in itself, is a rarity. Way-to-go, Dad.And if you can make it past the all-over-the-place first two-thirds, there's a touching love story – SEE: David and a nice "Let me help you through this" trans-replacement story. Unfortunately, for me, that is, the D'N'D guy/gal looked sooo cute as a boy, I'm sorry he/she ended up as female, though she did look good as a girl, as well. Was the vagina shot necessary? And don't get your hopes up – for those who like to look at the female…uh, area…it's a medical shot/picture, sorta.This all said…I would recommend it for multiple reasons: it's incredibly short. It's available free – well, on Netflix (as of 2/14/11) Instant. It's not too deep to take up too much table talk. It's harmless. And it's very well, though not originally, shot. I did enjoy what I saw and was interested enough to learn what happened following.So…can someone tell me…what happened since?
georgannhardin
This movie meant a great deal to me as I was raised in an abusive family and depend constantly on my sister for companionship and solace. I've always known that happiness is relative. But I am learning that life's difficulties make us better people. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, "You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." Mark and Clair and their parents have communicated their humanity more to me than any other movie or situation. Thank you for your courage and love and I hope everyone gets to see this movie and feel the way I do because of it.
Susan
This film introduces us to twin brothers--and, through photos; extremely honest interviews with parents, grandparents and friends; and filmed life interactions--follows the lives of these boys from the time they were toddlers, through the horror of their JHS years when one of them came out as gay and the other tried to avoid that label (and both were persecuted, they say, anyway); through high school and through--then past their college years. Through skillful camera work and interview technique (and the closeness that was built with the family), we are able to find out how-as what happens when a pebble is dropped into a pond-the family changes and waves and molds around the twins as their sexualities change--one to feel at ease with the fact that he is gay and the other to feel at ease with the fact that he wants to physically change to become a woman.This was my introduction to many of the topics presented here and it was a gift at the end of the documentary to realize that--what survived, through all the pain and reinvention--was family and love. I want to add that I really enjoyed listening to the soundtrack.
Eclipse292
Red without Blue is a beautiful and touching film that raises a multitude of interesting questions about identity and family life. It depicts the life of a trans teen and does not edit out the grim truths about how difficult it can to fit in with your own self-perception. The people profiled are all very compelling and honest. Interviews with the subjects get at the heart of the conflicts. Following the family over time, we get a intimate view of how people deal with crises, and how our prejudices and opinions can change so drastically when facing difficult choices. The cinematography is beautiful and adds elegance to subject matter. The soundtrack is terrific- and features some trans musicians.Highly recommended.
