Hooked (2017)

Sadly Over-hyped

Really Surprised!

Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

Very strong but imperfect film about the struggles of homeless gay teens, focusing on Jack (Conor Donnaly), who is battling mental illness and drug abuse and keeping his head above water as a sex worker. He's in a very nicely done loving relationship with another homeless kid (Sean Ormond, who's maybe written as a bit too perfect). One of Jack's clients is a married man (Terrance Mann) who hires Jack to comes to terms with his "urges" but treats him with respect Jack doesn't find with other clients. They have quite an adventure. I'll leave plot points at that. Go watch the movie.Pretty strong debut by Max Emerson, who wrote and directed. Compared to much of indie gay cinema, the film is very well-made. Cinematography and production values are more than competent. The three primary actors are excellent, and Conor Donnaly is remarkable. I hope and expect to see more of him in the future. The supporting cast is by and large good, though there are a few cringe-worthy performances more typical of a lot of LGBT films.The main stories -- Jack's relationships with his BF and his benefactor -- are pretty compelling and held my interest. The secondary story line of the older client's coming to terms with his sexuality and his marriage is poorly written and weakly executed. The older man's "journey" is unrealistic and forced and both his and his wife''s reactions to his "dealing with his urges"/addressing his sexuality are simply not believable. His relationship with Jack isn't even dealt with after the movie's climax and is disturbingly unresolved given promises he's made. That's really the only major flaw in the flick. Overall, though, definitely an impressive first effort by the writer/director and his lead actor.

It was a really good movie. It was nice to see the two main characters Jack and Tom have that connection especially with such a deep movie that this was. I hope with this type of movie that there will be more like it so that awareness can be made about lgbt homeless teens and exactly what they have to go through to survive.For this to be max's first movie that he directed all I can say is bravo max keep it up.

The idea of the movie, the aim and cause it's dedicated to are so beautiful which saved the movie from its flaws & made it enjoyable. It could've been much better if they developed it in a better way.

In this his big screen directorial debut, Director/Writer Max Emerson (who is also an actor " Glee," " The Real O'Neals") unfortunately relishes in presenting exaggerated gay character stereotypes, fights ongoing sound issues, and can't reign in his main characters dialogue. This is too bad, because the story of hustler Jake (played nicely by attractive newcomer Conor Donnally) and his on-the-run boyfriend Tom (the shy Sean Ormond "50K" 2018) has the makings of an intriguing gay storyline. Set against a New York/South Beach backdrop, Jake hooks up with married closeted man Ken (the handsome Terrance Murphy "Burn Notice" TV), who whisks him off to Florida for the weekend, while his wife Jess (the terrific Katie McClellan "The Ultimate Legacy" 2015) sits at home with their baby. Seeing the excursion as a chance for him and Tom to leave their crowded NY hostel, Jake goes all in. When things don't turn out as planned, he picks up his craft in South Beach, coming face to face with psycho client Date-Rape-Dan (played superbly by Jay Alan Christianson "Black-ish" TV). Emerson has all the makings a plausible story, however, wearing too many hats, he was unable to see the excessive dialogue, nor help his actors who needed a little directorial assistance. You won't be "hooked" on "Hooked," but you also won't be disappointed.