Boys About Town

Being young and figuring out life can be confusing, and that's where the story starts. The year is 2018, and viewers get the chance to follow Bobby (Joaquin Dominguez) and Calvin (Cole Ready), two twenty-year-olds who grew up together but have very different outlooks on life. Bobby has been with his childhood sweetheart for 5 years and wants a quiet, ordinary life with an ordinary relationship and the opportunity to enjoy his favourite music. He is the marrying kind, although the father of his dream bride is not so keen. Calvin is out for fun and wants to experience the excitement of many women and often gets himself into trouble in the process. We see their lives unfold in real time in the first of four films.

This is a stylish film made on a zero budget, which is impressive given the film's scope. The majority of the imagery is in black and white, with some scenes transitioning to colour. The black-and-white scenes are effective and fit the film's mood, especially the moments when Bobby contemplates his life choices. He is quite a dour character at times, with a hint of melancholy. Some transitions into colour seem random and don't quite work. The Scene of enlightenment is an exception, and the colour reflects how Calvin and Lisa (Carene Rose Mekertichyan) see themselves and realise they never show their true selves.

Joaquin Dominguez stands out as Bobby, and he makes the audience believe he is uncomfortable in his own skin. Relationships can be complicated, and the start of any relationship can lead to a lot of anxiety. Dominguez conveys the anxiety really well and adds a great deal of physical comedy to the role. There are moments when Bobby and Calvin seem to talk directly to the audience before the camera swivels to reveal who they're really speaking to, and this draws the viewer in. Cole Graham clearly has a great deal of fun in the role, and he has some great lines to deliver; he also develops chemistry with many of the female characters. In a small role, Vince Donvito steals many of the scenes as the father of Bobby’s first love. There are some really funny moments, and the character certainly has a way with words, especially when describing the consequences of any young man sleeping with his daughter.

At times this feels like a documentary following real-life people. The standout scenes are the personal moments where the characters question many aspects of life. I think young adults will definitely relate to these characters. The fact that this has been made on a zero budget adds to its allure, and the camera work, although shaky at times, makes everything the audience sees feel real. The COVID pandemic occurs during the film’s timeline, and it is easy to forget that this was only three to four years ago. The scenes where the characters had to wear masks and distance themselves from each other really remind us what life was like then. No doubt the actors had to take measures to protect themselves while filming.

Although part one is set from 2018-2021, it could easily have worked in the 70s, 80s, or 90s. Many elements reminded me of the 80s Brat Pack, and Calvin’s character certainly seemed to dress like characters from that genre. The music added a lot to the story, and what is more impressive is that Mike Cuenca wrote many of the songs. Bobby has a passion for punk, and many of the songs fit in with the genre. Music plays a major role in the characters’ lives and appears frequently throughout the film.

Joaquin Dominguez stands out as Bobby, and he makes the audience believe he is uncomfortable in his own skin. Relationships can be complicated, and the start of any relationship can lead to a lot of anxiety. Dominguez conveys the anxiety really well and adds a great deal of physical comedy to the role. There are moments when Bobby and Calvin seem to talk directly to the audience before the camera swivels to reveal who they're really speaking to, and this draws the viewer in. Cole Graham clearly has a great deal of fun in the role, and he has some great lines to deliver; he also develops chemistry with many of the female characters. In a small role, Vince Donvito steals many of the scenes as the father of Bobby’s first love. There are some really funny moments, and the character certainly has a way with words, especially when describing the consequences of any young man sleeping with his daughter.

The writer and director develop each character with great depth, and although there are clear main characters, many of the supporting roles have a lot to add. Each has a backstory; each has their own style, and each experiences life’s complications, particularly in relationships.

This film is really enjoyable, and the cast, director, and crew show real talent in pulling it together. It is a stylish piece that has a great deal of substance. It takes a snapshot of the lives of two 20-year-olds in the modern world and explores many of life’s complications. The performances are effortless and natural, so the audience feels like they're watching real-life scenarios. It’s certainly set up for part two, and I think many viewers will want to follow the story right to the end. Maybe, and I’m hopeful, the story continues well into the future.