Love and Death on Long Island

I really didn't expect to enjoy this one half as much as I did. John Hurt plays Giles De'Ath a reclusive British writer who becomes besotted with American teen idol Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley), eventually tracking him down in the US. The film is very low key and subtle and really hooks you in. On the one hand you could read De'Ath's motivations as homosexual, on the other he might just be in love with the idea of youth and beauty. Both readings work. Hurt is always good, but this is one of the best roles he has had in years, and Priestley will surprise many with his performance. Fiona Loewi who plays Bostock's girlfriend is also excellent, and the supporting cast includes Sheila Hancock and Maury Chaykin. This charming and very droll comedy is not to be overlooked.

John Hurt delivers a wonderful performance of Giles De'Ath, a stuffy middle-aged English man of letters, so insulated from the modern world he doesn't understand that a VCR needs a TV set to operate. Insulated until he inadvertently stumbles into the wrong movie theatre one day and falls madly for an American B-movie hunk played by Jason Priestley. He becomes obsessed by this man, and eventually treks off to Long Island in search of the object of his affection. Oddly, given the subject matter, this is a heart-warming and life-affirming film. Hurt is magnificent; it's his movie, and Priestly also gives an excellent performance. I highly recommend renting the movie.

John Hurt and Jason Priestly are an unlikely pair, but they shine in this masterpiece of a movie. I wish this movie found an audience because it is worth a look. Each man is perfectly suited to his role.