Rites of Passage

I had the full-frame DIGIVIEW DVD of this movie and it was cut to pieces. A full 20 minutes cut completely out of the film. I ordered this widescreen, 1 hour and 35 minute complete version to see the full movie, and I did. The movie looked good, sounds good and most importantly is COMPLETELY there. Make sure if you buy this movie it is the version that is 1 hour and 35 minutes, not the 75 minute hack job.

The commentary by the writer-director and lead actor is very good; fun and informative. Overall great performances and a tight story, the type with twists and turns as happens in real life. Most of the time you can't see the surprises coming, sometimes you can. I think it depends upon how involved you are in thinking about the last scene that played or whether a character's attitude or dialogue is preoccuping you with a memory of something from your own life. The movie combines drama-mystery-suspense and romance, as well as concepts of redemption and reconciliation. The basic premise about a homosexual son who has been disenfranchised from his father and yet accidently meets up with him at the worst possible moment in their lives - with escaped-from-State-pen felons on the loose and headed their way - is a contrivance that gets the basic plot moving, so you can't resent it. In fact, you wouldn't have much of a movie without it. The film plays like a theatrical production, with its minimalistic sets (a cabin by the lake), but the plot and acting is so realistic you don't feel constricted. If you like the writer-director's film POWDER (as I did) you might want to catch this one also as an example of great story-telling, but POWDER and RITES have nothing to do with each other in terms of plot. POWDER is cosmic and RITES deeply personal. Only two problems with this film/DVD and why I didn't rate it 5 stars: 1) There isn't more of it (more flashbacks to enjoy the characters more fully); 2) Occasionaly the characters speak in a rather florid fashion that even extremely well-educated types don't, as if they were characters in a play rather than real life.

Actually, I got this movie among other movies that Jason Behr was in, because he was such a great actor in his performance in the Roswell series, and because he is such a gorgeous guy, with a body that is perfection.What I did not expect was was his role as a gay guy in this film, and the complex problems this caused and the interactions with his father and brother.The acting in this movie was superb from every single actor, but especially Jason Behr. The screen play was exceptional, the story line great, and the filming, direction and production outstanding! The characters and the suspense they created keep you on the edge of your seat, as the story is told a little at a time.Although some might think this is a gay themed movie...it is not. This is a suspense film that includes family conflict and happens to have a gay character in the lead role.I'm not sure of the reviews this movie got when it was released, but I did not hear of it. However, I can't say enough about what a good movie this is!

This is a nicely constructed, well acted, lower budget movie. It gives a vivid depiction of the effects of homophobia and its resultant secrecy on family relationships and on individual behavior. Other reviewers have done a good job of describing the action and much of the acting skill shown. At its core, the movie could be viewed as projecting a fantasy of the gay son, Campbell (Jason Behr), against his father, Del (Dean Stockwell) as vengeance for the father's violent rejection of Campbell's now deceased lover, Billy. The escaped convicts Frank (James Remar) and Red (Jaimz Woolvett) get to heap various forms of abuse and violence on Del and threaten to exit with Campbell, all good revenge motifs. The curious thing is that, knowing Campbell's recent history and role in these events, Del is able to see past them and embrace his son at the end. The acting makes it convincing. Coyly-photographed Campbell gets both his revenge and his father's love. Frank gets to be the Bad Campbell. Red is a bridge from Campbell to Frank, just as D.J. (Robert Keith) is a bridge from Campbell to Del. While Behr, Stockwell, and Remar have justly received praise, Keith and Woolvett have also done a convincing job of keeping the main characters connected and sympathetic. Be sure to listen to the commentary track. Director Victor Salva and Jason Behr give a lot of information on the making of the film and the techniques used. The lighting and sound had many fine moments, as well as the actors. The deleted scenes and the stills give useful background information too.

Rites of Passage starts off like a suspense thriller. Two men are in the woods camping when along comes a man asking for help. It doesn't take long for them to figure out that the man is an escaped convict. But by then it's to late, a second convict shows up and murders the two campers.After this, the movie quickly moves to its real substance: family drama. It's a story about a father and two brothers that somehow remind us of Cain and Abel. Not because one brother was good and the other evil, but because the father viewed them that way. Campbell, the youngest of the two brothers, is the father's disappointment. DJ, of course, is the father's pride and joy.By coincidence, they all end up together in the family's cabin in the woods. Needless to say, the family quarrels begin as the father's adultery surfaces. Of course, the father isn't the only one who has skeletons in the closet. In the meantime, guess who shows up? None other than the escaped convicts.At this point, the scriptwriter continues the family drama while introducing elements of suspense and mystery. For the first time in years, I sat glued to the screen wondering what was going to happen next. Hats off to the scriptwriter, who cleverly introduces new twists and turns without losing focus of his central theme: the consequences of father/son relationships.Great acting crowns this superb script, making Rites of Passage one of the most intense, original and rewarding movies I've seen.

"Rites of Passage" it a great little film. it stars Jason Behr (Roswell, Dawson's Creek), and Dean Stockwell. Its about a family with dark secrets. The main focus it the younger son, Campbell (Jason Behr), who is confused, wanting desperately to be loved the same way his father loves his older brother. Out of his yearning for acceptance, he puts the lives of that of his father, his brother and himself at risk. In the end he redeems himself, and finally gains the love of his father he wanted for so long. But there is always a price to pay..... From the moment his first scene starts, Jason Behr steals the movie. For those of you who have not heard of Roswell, and those of you who have, this is another reason to admire the pure talent of this extraordinary young man. Its a great little film to add to your DVD collection.

An excellent performance from Jason Behr, as a member of a dysfunctional family, forced into a crisis situation.

very good thriller/drama

Jason Behr is a truly natural talent. Who makes the story believable. This film has some "twists and turns", that surprises you. Jason Behr's portrayal of Campbell ("Cammiyo"). is a fine piece of acting. Highly recommended.

the only negative part of the movie is that the story takes place in the childhood of the characters for most of the movie. I understand that it is necessary for the plot to develop to let the viewer know how and why they love each other as older men. I still enjoyed the movie because of the story and the acting is believeable.