Get Back My Bridge

It’s my birthday already. Not only because the clock just passed the midnight mark—it has been the 26th of June in China for a while by now. Because of the dinner plan with friends, I have to skip the "Annual City Hall Pride Flag Raising Reception" later today, hosted by the mayor. There were plenty delicious food at last year’s reception, so I am not sure what I will be missing this year. Regardless, I will be eat well for my birthday. Although it’s nice to have the unusual hot weather to disappear, I didn’t expect that cold last couple days. It was literally freezing. Plus, it has been hazy due to the wild fires around, so it has been gloomy for a few days. This is a picture I took last week from the apartment when it was super hot, and the sky was crystal clear. Now, with heavy fog, or smog from the fire, the mountains and the bridge are all gone. But I bet by the time I wake up today, the bridge will reappear and it will be a wonderful day. It has to be. It must be, because it’s my birthday. I have been attending some other screenings, such as "Wanted," besides the Frameline 32. However, I cannot post the review for "Wanted" yet, because it won’t open until Friday. But "Tru Loved" is not under "hold review," so here it is. Tru Loved It has come a long way since the release of a teenager coming out film "Beautiful Things" in 1996—Gay marriage has become legal in some countries, and even some states in the US, including California; The Gay-Straight Alliance Network (GSAs) has grown from 40 clubs to 650 clubs in California State’s high schools. However, coming out and fighting homophobic in high school continues to be a challenge for many teenagers and adult to face today. "Tru Loved" (USA 2007, 99 Min.), one of the showcase films at Frameline 32, impressively tells a story about how a group of high school teenagers deal with sexuality and homophobia in their daily lives by forming a GSA club at their high school. Sixteen years old Tru (Najarra Townsend) moves to suburban Southern California with her two lesbian moms, away from her two gay dads living in San Francisco. She becomes an instant outcast in her new high school, where she meets a closeted gay football player Lo (Matthew Thompson). Fed up by the homophobia at school and the drama for being the cover for Lo at school, Tru decides to form a Gay-Straight Alliance club at her high school. The GSA clubs not only causes a big stir at school, including the mid of her closeted teacher (Alec Mapa), it also connects Tru with a handsome charming Trevor (Jake Abel), who is raised by his gay uncle (Bruce Vilanch). It’s amazing how Tru’s life is surrounded by gay people, even she no longer lives in San Francisco; and everyone seems gay friendly except the homophobic football coach at school. Luckily, the strong performance and the engaging story line leave the audiences little time to wonder if this setting exists in real life. With an extraordinary ensemble casts, the film delivers positive messages without preaching. Thanks to the terrific writing, the film creates a few memorable and convincing characters, and they speak witty, hilarious words without sounding cliché. It seems that the film can go wrong at so many places while the story is unfolding. Yet, the film miraculously dances its way out of a landmine field, not only without many scratches, it also holds its head up high. It stands out to become an excellent coming out film for teenager and adult film goers, gay or straight, to enjoy. "Tru Loved" will be screened at Frameline 32.