Writer/director Mark Schwab's new film "Exteriors" is divided into three parts that while unrelated, explore gay relationships with an intensity that's rarely seen on screen.
All of the film's characters are fully developed, with motives that are made clear through insightful dialogue and strong performances. The cast is unknown but experienced. Most of their credits are in small independent films, shorts, and music videos, according to IMDB. Each of them offers performances which suggest that stardom could be in their futures.
The first part tells the story of Wyatt (Christian Gabriel) and Logan (Matthew Bridges), two best friends. Logan has a new boyfriend, and Wyatt comes to realize that Logan's new paramour is his ex, Shane (Jacob Betts). Wyatt goes to Shane and confronts him about this new relationship. He struts around Shane's apartment seductively and obnoxiously as it becomes clear that Shane is both sick of him and attracted to him.
The characters in this story are not afraid to show their emotions, with Gabriel being particularly good as the somewhat bitchy Wyatt. The rather lengthy scene in Shane's apartment feels almost sinister as viewers wonder why Wyatt is visiting Shane. But the scene between Wyatt and Logan also has its dramatic moments as Logan, sensing that something's wrong as he tells Wyatt about his new boyfriend, asks "Are we okay? Did I say something wrong?"
The second story is a two-character piece. In it, a lonely man named Jason (Julian Goza) is cleaning a pool at an upscale house when he realizes that Kenny (Fernando Jose), the young man staying at the house is someone he had a brief fling with eight years earlier when he was spending the weekend at the Russian River.
Though Jason wanted more things couldn't go any further because Kenny had a boyfriend who is now his husband. Kenny, possibly a pseudonym, doesn't remember Jason, or does he? The two have a deep and intimate conversation which lasts all through the night and takes a romantic, if platonic turn.
Good acting
This segment is exceptionally well acted by Goza and Jose, who have superb chemistry with each other. Their story makes insightful observations about the hook-up culture that's so prevalent in the gay male community. Goza is extremely endearing and might just steal your heart. You'll root for him, and hope that he finds the love and companionship that he yearns for.
The third story is the best of the three and takes a disturbing turn. It's the tale of Dr. Lesh (Peter Stickles), an unethical therapist who secretly records his sessions with Lex (Pano Tsaklas), a young man who has drawn some media attention for a shooting and trial that he was involved in. Lex is trying to get to a place where he can date again. Lesh listens to these recordings while having sexual fantasies about Lex.
Dr. Lesh is married to Michael (Diogo Hausen), a software engineer who has to go away for a weekend conference. Lesh decides to spend the weekend stalking Lex, who has a date that he's meeting in the park. Lesh gets the shock of his life when he sees that Lex's date is Michael. Lesh confronts Michael, who breaks things off with Lex, telling him that he has a husband. But Michael makes the mistake of letting Lex know who his husband is.
Stickles is particularly good, capturing the tragedies and subtleties of a highly qualified professional man who loses control of his better judgement, finding out more than he wanted to know and nearly destroying his career in the process.
The three stories, while having no connection to each other, make for a fascinating and cohesive film. Schwab writes good stories with flair, successfully capturing the nuances of gay relationships. This is good filmmaking from a talented filmmaker who shoots with a precision that's almost hypnotic. The director, incidentally, makes a brief cameo in the third story as one of Michael's colleagues. "Exteriors" is highly recommended.
'Exteriors,' 80 mins, streaming on Tubi TV and Gay Binge TV.
www.tubitv.com
www.gaybingetv.com
Never miss a story! Keep up to date on the latest news, arts, politics, entertainment, and nightlife.
Sign up for the Bay Area Reporter's free weekday email newsletter. You'll receive our newsletters and special offers from our community partners.
Support California's largest LGBTQ newsroom. Your one-time, monthly, or annual contribution advocates for LGBTQ communities. Amplify a trusted voice providing news, information, and cultural coverage to all members of our community, regardless of their ability to pay -- Donate today!
