Shadows on the Wall

Test

dir Sam McConnell
scr Brock Yurich
prd Julie Christeas, Daryl Freimark, Brock Yurich
with Brock Yurich, Tammy Blanchard, Mike Edward, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Matthew Morrison, Evan Hall, Heidi Lewandowski, Drew Getchey, Austin Minx, Phil Elam, Montel Bush, Jack Yurich
release UK Jun.26 sxl,
US Jul.26 ofn
26/US 1h55

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Rippling, glistening muscles fill the screen in this introspective drama about a beefy young man on a voyage of self-discovery. Written by lead actor Brock Yurich, the film is directed by Sam McConnell in an earthy documentary style, gently getting under the characters' skin. This is a darkly pointed film that taps into the serious issues surrounding a range of subcultures that push and pull at the protagonist.

In rural Ohio, heavyweight bodybuilder Eddie (Yurich) puts even more pressure on himself than his pushy cheerleader-coach mother Joanne (Blanchard) does. But he knows he needs more help to go pro, so he can start making money. Indeed, he earns more as a waiter and sexy webcam boy than in competitions. So he approaches coach Mike (Edward), who shows him what is needed to improve, from new workouts to rather a lot of drugs. And Joanne doesn't take this well. She certainly wouldn't want to know that Eddie and Mike are attracted to each other.

For Eddie and Joanne, everyday life revolves around the local church and Pastor Gregg (Morrison), who lays on the guilt. But Eddie's friend Trig (Hall) is also his dealer. There's also his his ex Abby (Garcia-Lee), back in town to run a dance studio where helps him stretch and pose more smoothly. All of this plays out in a naturalistic way that digs deeply into Eddie's conflicted thoughts and feelings. The question is whether he can accept his gay sexuality, and everything that means.

Putting his entire body into the role, Yurich gives a remarkable performance as a genuinely nice guy trying to move forward in his life. So disappointing Blanchard's larger-than-life Joanne is painful. The bond between Eddie and his mom is beautifully played, naturally warm and funny. His connection with Edward's superbly off-handed Mike is even more nuanced, performed with subtle moments of closeness and a powerful magnetism. So watching these relationships is sharply involving.

The film knowingly captures the tension between what is expected in society and families and the wider truth of real-life experience. For Eddie, his sexuality clashes with both his religion and his lingering feelings for Abby. But she knows that he needs to be honest with himself. There's a bit of melodrama along the way, as Eddie's determination to be a big strong man causes problems with everyone around him, leading to some rather harrowing situations. But the story plays out with surprisingly elegant grace notes.

themes, language, violence, sexuality 18.Jul.26

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