Twoyoungmen, UT. (2009) User Reviews

Pretty terrible

[preppy-3 · 2/10 · 18 June 2009]

Will (Will Loomis) a high school kid meets Eli (Art Gager) at a gay bar in UT. They ride around for the whole night talking. What they talk about is completely uninteresting and boring.

Pretty bad gay short. Gager as Eli overacts to a degree that's almost embarrassing. Also his character is a jerk--always grinning and cocksure of himself. Will is just a judgmental wimp. The dialogue is terrible--NO ONE talks like these two. It all leads to an ending that had people around me saying, "What was that all about?" It gets 2 stars for some nice cinematography but this has bad acting, bad dialogue and a pointless script (what WAS the point of this all?). Not worth your time.

Beautiful Gem in the rough background of Utah countryside

[VikenMekhtarian · 7/10 · 18 August 2013]

This little jewel of a film really covers a lot ground, literally, it's a road movie that takes place in the back country of Utah where two young men are heading to some clandestine rave. Road trips are great and it's even better when it's a buddy film that goes gay. But first I should cover the look and feel and the tolerability of it outside of a queer film festival screening. Twoyoungmen, UT is a beautiful shot and well written story. The dialogue is sparkling despite some moments when you can see that actors are reaching a little too much, but short films are supposed to be about trying something that is hard to do. Kudos to everyone involved with this flick. This movie is worth watching because it has heart..it'll surprise you.

A car trip that doesn't go anywhere.

[adamjohns-42575 · 1/10 · 19 June 2021]

I was actually quite in to this film, I liked the will they/won't they as their relationship begins to develop and then WHAM! It's over! It had the beginnings of something good, with two very cute guys, but now I'm just left hanging, wondering what happened next? I appreciate it's a short film, but it doesn't have to be just a longer one cut off before it starts.

There wasn't enough other content to make it worthwhile really.

And why are "Straight" guys such cock teases! It's a form of bullying I think.

Nothing relevant or interesting

[Horst_In_Translation · 2/10 · 30 July 2016]

"Twoyoungmen, UT." is an 18-minute American live action short film from 2009, so it's already 7 years old. The writer and director is Sam McConnell and the most shocking thing is not how bad his film here is, but that it is still his most known work today. I have seen many gay-themed short films and I must say that this particular branch of film is apparently where everybody gets his share of decent popularity, no matter how talented (or untalented in 90% of the cases) they are. I don#t know what I just watched. The writing was abysmal. The characters' actions made no sense. Nobody talks like in real life like the people in here do and the acting was at least as bad as all the other aspects, especially by the guy who plays the extroverted character. There is really nothing more to say about this one here. It's a failure. Stay far far away.

A smart and moving film

[anthony-Catala-1 · 8/10 · 21 July 2009]

Director Sam McConnell has crafted a poignant story of two young men on the verge of finding themselves. With an undercurrent of foreboding, he expertly captures the mood of the fated night where these two characters first meet. Note the use of darkness and shadow, how it reflects the uncertainty faced by the two leads. Honestly, it's some of the most striking imagery you'll ever find in a short film. But more than that, the film does a great job of illustrating the connection between two people who are "neither here nor there," both literally and figuratively. While we don't get to see the relationship develop between them, there's no doubt that neither character will ever be the same again. It's far more powerful than what you'd expect from a 17 minute film.

Quiet and engaging

[lance-lawson · 10/10 · 16 November 2010]

I find it hard to explain which specific elements of the film made me like it so much. But I know that I liked it and the characters enough that I didn't want it to end when it did.

I agree with another reviewer about some of the weak motivation, but I thought both actors were strong and engaging. The action was understated. The scenes between the 2 young men played out quietly.

The scene of them driving across the desert in the middle of the night seemed full of foreboding or promise. (Just noticed that someone else mentioned "foreboding," too!) I couldn't tell which. I'm not sure there is a single answer.

I am looking forward to seeing more films from these actors and director.

I spoke with some in the audience after this screened at Cinequest. People were definitely polarized about it. Some singled it out as worthless. Others loved it. I think you'll notice that the reviewers on this site are just as split.

This is typical of powerful works of art. Something that many people strongly admire tends to have another set of people who hate it. And that's why lots of radio is middle-of-the road.

Well worth a look

[rjobrien_1943 · 9/10 · 26 July 2009]

While the title smacks of affectation - or just plain attention-seeking, Sam McConnell's short film, now on the festival circuit, is stylish, funny and charming. The main characters, Will and Eli, meet by chance in a bar and head to the salt flats searching for a party. In the process, however, they take the first steps towards finding and accepting themselves. McConnell develops small yet revealing tensions between his characters, who at the start appear to inhabit different worlds. The shy Will expresses sexual desire, perhaps for the first time, while motormouth Eli, who seems full to bursting with self-confidence, exposes his vulnerability, leading to a surprising, unexpected bond. 'Twoyoungmen, UT' is very well written, acted and directed by this up-and-coming filmmaker. The only complaint is that one wishes the film was longer, as the material seems ripe for expansion. Hopefully, 'Twoyoungmen, UT' will become more widely available, despite the hurdles facing any short independent film in terms of theatrical, television and home video distribution.

Thought provoking, tender gem of a short

[corkandapron · 10/10 · 12 August 2013]

This poignant short truly captures the unsettling first steps and the emotional turmoil surrounding coming out. It's easy to gloss over, or stereotype such pivotal moments in a person's life, but Director Sam McConnell successfully showcases the inevitable fumbling of youth and false bravado involved with the quest to find oneself. I found the interaction between the characters to be quietly unique, authentic while utilizing a common setting, (gay bar). The eye-catching and skillful cinematography further sucks you into their world, transporting the viewer out of the bar and into the beginning of their unfolding journey. Bravo.