Review by JUST A REVIEWER2
Rating:

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 that 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 at least part of his time, at various stages of the film, writing an email to fiancee, 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 that 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.

****

Review by Amos Lassen
Rating:
“The Lost Coast”

A Quiet Character Study

Amos Lassen

Jasper who is straight, his best friend Mark who is gay and Lily, a straight girl took a trip to the north of California where nature ruled. The three high school students acted there with no reservations. There was a homosexual act between Mark and Jasper and it is still fresh in Jasper’s memory as he prepares to marry.

Several years later the three come together again to celebrate Halloween in the Castro of San Francisco and they want to take a little ecstasy to heighten their experience and this leads to Jasper beginning an email to his fiancée and to confess his past. Here is a story told in real time about three friends who have memories of an unspoken sexual past that comes back to haunt them. Each character must face his own fears and beliefs.

The opening photography is stunning while being simple. The music haunts the viewer and the characters unfold in front of us. This is an indie, low-budget film which focuses on the naturalism of the actors. We go on an interesting journey but we reach no destination. Yet we do meet unforgettable characters who are facing real issues in their lives.