Strapped

It's amazing how some of the best movies in any given year have been accomplished on very low budgets, but through sheer craft and artistry, easily best 99% of Hollywood productions. Strapped is a case in point. The lead character, a young male hustler, services a client in a non-descript urban apartment complex. Strangely, he seems unable to find his way out of the Kafkaesque building, repeatedly running into different sorts of gay males who want to sample his wares. Each of the successive clients seems to represent a different pathway of the gay lifestyle, posing many questions and conundrums along the way. Some are ridiculously closeted, stuck in false, married lives. Some are very liberated, but strangely unhappy. Different sexual tastes are contrasted: aggressive, anal passive, bizarre things. In the end the protagonist overcomes his own gay demons by allowing himself true romantic affection, perhaps. The symbolism reminds me of the fine poem by Henri Cole, entitled Homosexuality, where the gay life is symbolized as a duck stuck in a chimney! The great strength of Strapped lay in its fine dialogue and characterization. The script is dotted with literary and poetic allusions and various gay homages. The fantastic artistry is made evident by more than just the frame trope of the labyrinth, but also much other symbolism and subtext along the way. For instance, the metallic griffin stolen from the first client seems to symbolize sexual liberation. There is some fine directing skill at work too. In one scene, their is a vessel put to trap leaking rain water, and the elapsement of time is shown by empty and full shots. Most importantly, the lead actor is exceedingly loveable. The only negative I might find about the movie is some of the graphic sexual content, but I guess that comes with the territory. Plus a sort of goofy poem in the last scene. Altogether, Strapped is a charming, thoughtful movie that should be watched by anyone who is gay or simply curious about alternative lifestyles.

I expected "Strapped" to be another film about the unhappy hustler looking for the meaning of life. So I was really glad when I found myself absorbed in a surprisingly good story that is both moving and satisfying. A handsome young hustler leaves a client's apartment and can't seem to find his way out of the building. He encounters several more men along the way each different than the last. He presents a different personality to each of them, all of whom gladly pay for his attention. The words "maze" and "labrynth" are used to describe the building, which seems to shift and change. I guess everyone can find their own interpretation of that symbolism, although, in the end, it doesn't matter what you think it means. It's a well-acted, written and directed film, and the low-key atmosphere of a building that has seen better days really comes across in the moody photography. The soundtrack is nice, and for a while all the music comes from the various characters' radios, sound devices, etc. As the story moves along, the sound becomes a more vital aspect, and is very in sync with the story. The strange thing about "Strapped" is that it's a very sexy movie, without being overtly explicit. The implications are somehow more hot than the alternative of actually seeing the various encounters. I didn't realize the film was ten years old until afterward, and when it was released, it was obviously one of the forerunners of the more realistic, less tragic direction that gay-themed films were beginning to take. It's a compelling, thoroughly engrossing ninety minutes, and it even has a surprise or two. Definitely worth seeing.

I enjoyed the film. Let me get out what I hate about it first. There's some very cringey dialogue (personally can't stand talk about how good someone is at performing or how great a particular body part is) and some poetic stuff I didn't like, some of which I don't understand and to me seems dumb. Honestly the entire section with the older man annoyed me. (He claims the difference between a labyrinth and a maze is a labyrinth leads somewhere but a maze is a trap. Really??? A maze has an exit, it is not a trap. Sheesh.) BUT regardless of the bad, this is an emotional film. A lot of different emotions. Most of it is very engaging, and also very sexy. The end of the film is extremely romantic and (YES!) actually has the ending I want. Will probably watch again.

I have watched this movie several times and each time I notice something new that adds to my appreciation, that's why I gave it my highest rating. If you are expecting a lot of skin and sex based on the description (gay hustler's sexual odyssey), then you are going to be disappointed. Don't pick this movie if you are interested in kink or soft core porn. The lead, Ben Bonenfant is a hottie, and truth be told, that is why I picked this movie originally. But it was way better and more satisfying than some moment of titillation. If you would like to see a movie that shows a journey and echoes this journey on multiple levels in an almost literary way, then you will enjoy this movie.Labyrinth leads to something, a maze is a trap explains one of the characters and asks, so which is it? The answers seems to be that depends on the choices you make. Watch the movie and you decide.There are so many things that I could write about this movie, but I don't want to give too much away... just make a note of the following while watching... the main character wears a red hood as he travels through this figurative woods. The sexual acts follow a progression... There is nothing new says Sam, and the first encounter and the last encounter echo each other from the music to the wine, but instead of the trick being offered freedom, the hustler is... the circular staircase seems to echo this theme too... it is all about choices and perspective. I will stop my incoherent raving at this point and just say, I really didn't know what I was getting when I rented this movie and was pleased enough that I bought it. I just wish there was a soundtrack available too because the music added a whole other layer to the movie.

Fantastic

The storyline is smart, the movie nicely filmed and actor Ben Bonenfant seems quite at ease playing his part. Had never heard of Ben Bonenfant, but does he deliver. This kind of movies rarely get the attention they deserve. Go get it, you'll be in for a treat.

Strapped is not your usual gay hustler movie, a series of life changing encounters, a efficient rent boy, who looks at himself on moving journey of understanding that comes from within to find his real inner passion and love from one man! A stunning performance from Ben Bonenfant, (The Hustler). Beautiful Photographed drama with original Music score. One of thoses films that you must see!!

entertaining, seen better

Item arrived on time.Good story line with an excellent central performance.