John Baumgartner
États-Unis 2005 95min English o.v.

If you could take a pill to make you straight, would you? In this age of an anti-gay, pro-pharmaceutical government, the notion of a futuristic "cure" in pill form is not unthinkable. John Baumgartner’s suspenseful debut feature explores this charged topic, turning in a highly original work that mixes drama with science-fiction, and sketching a near future that is distressingly not inconceivable. Tim Barrens is a lonely gay man who’s sick of dead-ends. Doted on by women friends, spurned by other gay guys, and resorting to sex with his straight buddy, he’s enlivened by news of clinical trials for a new pill that may change his sexuality, and perhaps (he hopes) improve his life. But can his friendships, his individuality and very personhood survive this test? With a deeply moving, taut screenplay and direction, supported by a sterling cast, Hard Pill takes on a chilling prospect, drawing provocative conclusions that are guaranteed to spark heated debates after the curtain closes. A must see!

Shown on:

monday, november 07, 9H00 PM parisien 6 - pgm31 (Gay Men and Hair Loss + Hard Pill)