After being chosen to represent their team at the national championship relay race, 15-year-old Sieger falls in love after meeting his fellow teammate Marc, leading him to question and explore his sexuality.
The take
There are plenty of LGBT stories made in film, but not all of them have to end in tragedy– some, especially in recent years, are relatively sweet, lighthearted, and merely focused on the simple experience of a first love. Boys has the classic coming-of-age romance moments we’re familiar with, such as the first kiss, training camps, and after school fair dates, and even though it’s just made for television, it’s beautifully captured, including that stunning overhead lake shot where Sieger and Marc swim together. If you’re craving for a sweet and easy LGBT romance without the heartache, or if you’re new to watching LGBT films altogether, Boys is a decent entry-level movie to start with.
What stands out
Boys is gorgeous, but the reason this film was relegated to the small screen was probably because of the sound design. There’s some moments that have dead air, not having an emotional score or even sometimes sound of the environment like that first running sequence. It’s still a film that works despite it, but personally, I like my ears to hear something, not just the dialogue.