Pretty Boy (Short Film Review)

Starring: Nick Eversman, Rebekah Tripp, Jon Briddell
Director: Cameron Thrower
Running Time: 31 mins
Certificate: NA

18-years-old Sean’s father takes him to visit a prostitute so that he can lose his virginity. The young man is nervous, shy and seemingly unsure whether he wants to go through with it or not. It soon transpires that the reason Sean is there is because his father found gay magazines in his bedroom, and the strongly Christian dad thinks that visiting a hooker will turn his son into a ‘man’.

Although the prostitute, Katie, isn’t initially all that good at putting Sean at ease, as he reveals more about himself and the reason he’s there, a bond begins to form between them and Katie takes him under her wing. However, Sean’s dad is waiting outside and keen to know that his son is getting what he’d been paid for.

Initially Pretty Boy seems like it’s going to be a little flat. The plot isn’t particularly original and it’s difficult not to wonder whether the whole thing is just going to go through the motions to get to the end.

However, as Katie and Sean begin to talk it becomes more interesting. She is more than just a hooker with a heart stereotype, with the film imbuing her with a real sense of humanity. Sean meanwhile becomes an interesting mirror to look at ideas about masculinity and sexuality, and the fact he wants to be true to himself, to please his father and to acknowledge the faith he grew up with – things that seem impossible to do simultaneously – are very relatable.

Pretty Boy becomes a surprisingly sweet and thought provoking short film, with good performances from Nick Eversman and Rebekah Tripp in the central roles, helped by the fact there’s a streak of humour running through it that ensures it never dips too far into melodrama.

Click here to watch the Pretty Boy trailer

Overall Verdict: What initially seems like it’s going to be a little too perfunctory soon reveals itself to be something more interesting and entertaining, with the bond between a young man and a prostitute revealing hidden depths.

Reviewer: Tim Isaac