AKA

A mesmerizing tale of deceit, told in an innovatively visual style, AKA is director Duncan Roy's scathing portrait of a socially ambitious young man in 1978 England. This alluring drama begins with the 18-year-old Dean (Matthew Leitch), a shy, working-class teen, being thrown out of the house by his abusive father. Taking a job with Lady Gryffoyn (Diana Quick), Dean is quickly ensconced in high society. However, after being expelled from the Gryffoyn household, Dean assumes the identity of Lady Gryffoyn's son, Alex, to continue the privilege of being a Lord. Moving to Paris, Dean befriends Benjamin (Peter Youngblood Hills), an adorable drug-fueled American boy-toy, and his lover, David (George Asprey), an older playboy who also pines for the virginal Dean's affections.

With three cameras depicting the action simultaneously, AKA is a challenging, multi-layered film – but one that yields many rewards. The DVD contains not only the three-screen version, but also an easier-to-watch, one-screen version of this highly original film. Roy's contempt for the upper-crust life is rendered with amazing clarity, as are his attitudes about class, power, sexuality and identity. The tenderness between Dean and Benjamin is intimate and erotic, and it reinforces each character's need for love and acceptance.

The sexy Leitch (son of famed folk singer Donovan Leith) turns in a star-making performance as the royal impostor, and Youngblood Hills is equally impressive, stealing his every scene. With an outstanding period soundtrack, which includes a haunting Mark Isham track, and incredible cinematography, AKA is truly an important gay film.

--Gary Kramer