This Movie is Rated R – For Language, Sexual Dialogue and for Brief Violence
We first see Tom (Scott Speedman) and Dan (James Marsden) when they are chatting in a bar. Tom is telling a rather strange, but interesting story about a fight he was in when he was 8 years old and how his mother dealt with it. Before long the guys head back to Tom’s apartment.
They seem to be getting along well, quizzing each other about movies. Which Dan seems to know a lot about; I guess since he works for a movie producer that makes sense. Tom is a cook at a restaurant and doesn’t seem to know very much about movies; hence his losing very badly at the game they are playing.
When Dan tries to kiss Tom things suddenly change. Tom pulls away and starts acting in an extremely awkward manner. Dan is confused by this and tries to figure out what has caused Tom’s unexpected reaction. His first thought is that maybe Tom has a boyfriend/girlfriend or something along those lines and is feeling guilty about being with someone else. However, that’s not the case.
Tom’s seemingly bizarre line of questions for Dan continues for a bit until it’s finally revealed that they have met before. It turns out that they hooked up once, five years ago. Tom recently found out that he is HIV positive and since Dan is the only man he has ever engaged in sexual activity with he is convinced that he is the one that gave it to him.
Tom’s plan is hold Dan captive until he gets the HIV test results on the blood he drew from him. If Dan is HIV positive, he will kill him. If he is negative, he will let him go.
The bulk of the movie revolves around the interaction between Tom and Dan while they are in Tom’s apartment. It’s an amazingly suspenseful cat and mouse type game between the two characters. With each of them trying to maintain the upper hand in the situation. As the story progresses we learn more about both men.
Both of the actors do a wonderful job and really give it their all. However, I was especially impressed by Scott’s portrayal of Tom. I think his character was more complex and multi-dimensional than the character of Dan. It was a challenging role, with a wide emotional range and Scott really delivered.
Some of my favorite quotes:
Tom – “Thank you for the compassion.”
Dan – “It’s my fatal flaw.”
Tom – “Compassion?”
Dan – “Yeah, I just can’t stop giving.”
Tom – “And that’s a flaw?”
Dan – “Well, people can take advantage. You have really beautiful eyes.”
Dan – “Do you have a boyfriend?”
Tom – “No, I have beer.”
Tom – “I may be a little slow with all this, but, ah, you don’t come off as a rookie to me.”
Tom – “No, the truth isn’t that easy. The truth is confusing.”
Dan – “What’s so confusing about it?”
Tom – “Everybody has their own truth. You’ve got yours, I’ve got mine, but the only truth that matters is the true truth. And not what you say or what I say, but what really is. Sometimes it isn’t easy to figure out.”
Jan
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Following is additional information about the show that contains spoilers. If you don’t want to be spoiled don’t read any further.
I was glad that Tom didn’t become a killer. He finally had a moment of clarity and realized there was nothing to gain by killing Dan. As Tom said “today is day 26 and everything’s different”.
I also liked the fact that I was left pondering some things after the movie was over. Yes, we find out that Dan is in fact HIV positive. However, there still is some doubt in my mind as to who had it first. Is it possible that Tom’s wife contracted it first (after all, she had the first symptoms) and then passed it on to Tom. Who then may have been responsible for passing it on to Dan? We will never know for sure, but it raises some interesting questions.
Then there is the fact that Tom immediately leapt to the conclusion that the only way he could have become HIV positive was through his encounter with Dan. It appears that he never considered any other alternative; which seems like a pretty narrow minded view, that the only way he could be infected was through his one “gay” experience.
More than anything I think this is an intriguing story about human nature. Including dealing with grief, feeling the need for justice when you think you have been wronged and taking responsibility for your actions.
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