Rites of Passage

Plot synopsis:
2 guys ambush and kill some hunters in the woods.Del Sr. (Dean Stockwell) gets caught by his son Del Jr. (Robert Glen Keith) having an extra-marital affair. He takes Del Jr. to a cabin in the woods to talk things out. Youngest son Campbell (Jason Behr) is already there.That night the two guys from the beginning turn up - we'll call them Bad Guy (James Remar) and Sort Of Bad Guy because I can't remember their names.The hang out for a bit making everyone uncomfortable. Finally they leave.Cambell and Del Jr. talk that night about Cam's ex boyfriend Billy, who died of AIDS, who left Cam after Cam's father caught them making out and nearly beat Billy to death.Later Del Jr. goes outside and finds Cam. Since Billy is dead, Del Jr. wants to know who Cam was waiting at the cabin for.Bad Guy and Sort Of Bad Guy step out of the shadows. Turns out Bad Guy robbed a bank and stashed the loot nearby but got put in prison. He broke out because he learned that the mill, where he hid the money is about to be torn down.The two take the family hostage, even though Cam is sort of helping them. (After Billy disappeared, Cam wrote to all Billy's friends hoping to track Billy down - this is how he came to meet Bad Guy.) When Bad Guy learned Cam had a cabin nearby, he seduced Cam.A female cop comes by to tell the family about the escaped prisoners. Bad Guy holds Cam and Del Jr. hostage and forces Del Sr. to tell the cop everything is fine. She leaves.Cam and Sort Of Bad Guy end up in the boathouse. Sort Of Bad Guy tells Cam that he wrote the letters, since Bad Guy is actually straight. He kisses Cam to prove it.Somehow a fight breaks out, and Sort Of Bad Guy is killed by Bad Guy.Cam gets a gun and forces Bad guy with him to the middle of the lake. He shoots the bottom of the boat and swims to shore. Bad Guy is stuck because he can't swim.Morning comes. Police woman turns up and takes Cam into custody for helping the bad guys.Del Jr. tells her it wasn't for the money.She asks, 'What else is there?'Later Cam is in prison being visited by his brother, when his father turns up too.

Tags: violence

Review:
A highly personal project from director Victor Salva is a nicely executed, low-budget independent thriller..
This is basically a character-driven thriller exploring some routine familial issues between a middle-class father and his two sons.
I say routine, because the conflicts are reasonably familiar: the father's having a mid-life, extra-marital fling; one son's gay; and the other son's bogged down in his own suburban mediocrity; not to mention that the whole drama takes place overnight in the woods, an almost absurd setting for all the abounding macho bonding.
In spite of this theatrical, TV-movie veneer, RITES OF PASSAGE is still a satisfying low-budget feature thanks to a very appealing cast and the mature, sure-handed direction of Victor Salva (POWDER).
No small mention should be made of Jason Behr, a WB-TV pretty-boy type who really carries the picture with a surprisingly inspired performance; although a lot of sympathy for his character is still a result of his physical appeal, he does a very good job here alongside excellent performers like Dean Stockwell and James Remar.
Still, I doubt if a lot of the enthusiasm for this film would be there without Behr's good looks.
This movie is unusual in the way that it has an all-male cast.That aspect of the movie drives the mood and intensity from beginning to end.I thought the father's (Dean Stockwell) turn-around in feelings to be genuinely believable as the film's events cause him to re-evaluate what and who are most important in his life.James Remar delivers a wonderfully increasingly sinister performance in this film.
He normally doesn't have a character as expanded as this and you get to see what he's really capable of.And lastly, but not leastly, Jason Behr shines as poor confused and bereft Campbell.
He's made so many poor decisions, and yet you just want to put your arms around him and say that everything will be all right.If you thought Max Evans (Roswell) would always be your favorite character for Jason Behr, Campbell will make you think twice.This movie is definately a drama.
This is a complex film - an unusual mix of thriller and family drama.
Queer cinema fans will like this one because of the matter of fact presentation of the sexuality of the leading character Cambell (intelligently played by Jason Behr.)  Although this is Behr's film, he's in terrific company throughout, especially with veteran Dean Stockwell as his tough-as-nails dad.
If you can get it on DVD, Behr and Salva provide an insightful commentary track and give you a glimpse of some more plot devices (and some super performances) left on the cutting room floor..
Jason Behr and Dean Stockwell deliver amazing performances as a father and son coming to terms with (the son's) homosexuality and (the father's) inability to show love and affection.
I purchased this film without knowing much about it, and was pleasantly surprised by a powerful storyline, award winning perormances by Jason Behr, Dean Stockwell, Robert Keith, and talented writing and producing by Victor Salva..
Rites of Passage is a beautiful and moving story; it features a brilliant, sensitive, and intense performance by Jason Behr.The character he portrays is homosexual, but the movie is not so much about sexuality as about being different: from what your family wants you to be, different from what society wants you to be, different from most of the people around you in a world in which you're totally outnumbered.
It's about self-worth, courage, true strength,and defining your identity.There's some violence, but there are no gross or graphic scenes; it's all about love, betrayal, trust, family ties .
( Mild Spoilers) Trying not to give away any important plot-lines in the movie "Rites of Passage" the one thing that impressed me most about Camp Farrady, Jason Behr, was how meek in the biblical sense of the word, and un-violent he was throughout the entire film.
Yet somehow refused to give into them even to the point when his life was at stake.Growing up gay in a straight All-America family Camp's life was a living hell when as a young boy.
He tried to conform when his strict father Del Farrady, Dean Stockwell, tried to "straighten" him out and later when Camp reach early adulthood his dad brutally beat up and chased out of his life Billy, Camp's best and gay friend, when he caught him and Camp embracing outside the family cabin on Christmas eve.
Frank noticed the address of the letters that Camp sent him and it was where he buried some $500,000.00 in stolen drug money and was using Camp's hurt feelings and emotions to get him to find the loot and take off with it and then leave Camp behind dead.Frank who broke out of prison with a fellow convict Red, Jalmz Woolvett, who Camp didn't know or expect but in the end found out that he was the one who wrote him those letters that were attributed to Frank that impressed and touched Camp so much.
With the unexpected appearance of Del & D.J made things deadly and complicated but at the same time in the end brought both father and son together even though it took a night of horrors to do it.Unusual film that treats relationships between gays and their parents and siblings with both touching sympathy as well as brutal realism.
With Jason Behr really outdoing himself as the tormented but courageous Camp who despite all the abuse he takes in the movie from his father and Frank refuses to lose his humanity and in the end comes out as the most positive as well as tragic person in the film.
The final scene in "Rites of Passage" when Camp reluctantly at first embraces his forgiving father and then accepts him is one of the most powerful and emotional scenes I've ever seen in a movie and it's done without a single word of dialog.
Every one in the movie has a story to tell but it's Camp who's story ties them all together and makes "Rites of Passage" the emotional experience of a film that it is..
My particular favorite was the lead character, Campbell Faraday (Jason Behr).
This film holds a lot of tension and there are quite a bit of twists also.If you are in the mood for a good thrill ride, go rent this movie.**** out of **** stars.Also recommended: The River Wild.
This movie was an A+ as well as a very good suspenseful thriller.
The deleted scenes on the dvd filled in some of the missing parts that might have made more sense to the plot when watching the movie..
Nice Story About Father and Sons.
Jason Behr from TV Series "Roswell" did a very good job in portraying one of the sons, with his very convincing acting.
The director did a good job in presenting this one-night event movie without making it boring..
12 out of 13 people handed in a story that ended with a father-son hug and the exchange: "I love you son..." "I love you dad." Ugh!
Perhaps this movie gets filmed over and over again because emerging gay teens require their generations hottie in the role of the gay son.I've never called my brother "Bro." Does anybody?.
One such "bonus" is the Commentary Track, in which selected production members provide verbal comments as the film plays throughout its entire run.
Some of these tracks are excellent, one example being Director Anthony Minghella's for his "The Talented Mr. Ripley."  The director there was downright eloquent, and his running remarks are most informative.In the case of "Rites of Passage" Director Victor Salva joins leading player Jasan Behr for a full-length commentary.
This track is almost almost as entertaining as the film itself, as it offers fascinating tidbits about the production--some completely surprising, which makes one appreciate the dedication and effort that it took to bring this indie thriller to the screen.
The cast is just fine, headed by the remarkable now-veteran Dean Stockwell, with James Remar and Rob Keith assisting Behr, who in turn offers a solid performance in the lead, difficult role of Cambell.
Watching the movie and then going to the Commentary, one really can appreciate the process behind realizing this final product, shot well under a three week schedule.
Of course, it can take away some of the realistic effect the film conveys--rather like being informed of how a magician does his illusions.
Yet there's no denying the cast works at peak level of commitment and effort in attempting to purge the essence of their characters.In the meantime, we can be thankful for the new opportunites the DVD format provides.
The filmscript for "Rites of Passage" was not only intelligently but skillfully written and brilliantly executed by Mr. Victor Salva who, I understand, comes from the training ground of F.
Beyond Mr. Salva's seemingly limitless gifts there was, also, the music which gave the film its feeling of extreme intensity and kept me on edge throughout while wringing my emotions simultaneously.
I really feel that any film buff who hasn't seen "Rites of Passage" has missed one of those lyrical and rare gems which comes our way all too infrequently and leaves the viewer feeling cleansed and good to be alive!
Whether it's comedy, drama, suspense, sex, or any other genre, American movie makers assume American audiences have to be hit over the head with whatever they're watching or they won't get it.In this movie, for example, when Son catches Dad with Girlfriend in Hotel, then when Dad and Son catch Younger Gay Son in Cabin, EVERYBODY has to overact, so that the audience will be sure to get the point that bad stuff is happening.
In any case, this movie's drama is far too heavy-handed for me.In less than ten minutes, I already know everything there is to know about these three characters, and I'm willing to bet the "twists" other reviewers rave about are the same oh-so-predictable "twists" Hollywood has been delighting noise-deafened, brain-dulled audiences with since Witness for the Prosecution 60 years ago.
I'd much rather have to take time and figure out for myself what's going on between characters than be hit so hard by the director and actors with such a heavy drama hammer that it leaves me reeling and nauseous..
I liked Victor Salva's film -Powder- a few years ago, and was pleasantly surprised when I watched -Rites of Passage-.
It's a competently made thriller, but the real intent of the film, as writer-direction Salva says in the commentary, was to work out his own difficult issues with his step father.
This is accomplished with Dean Stockwell as a hard macho father, and Jason Behr as his estranged gay son.Jason Behr's performance is remarkable for such a young actor.
I hope this young man moves beyond the TV series and does more serious film acting.
Behr and Salva do the DVD commentary which adds to my impression of Behr as an exceptionally intelligent person, often humbled by Salva's praise in the course of the story.
In general, I try to stay away from films that mix gay subject matters with violence as the outcome is always the same: It's the gay psychos that need to be locked up.
From a cinematic point of view, this particular film is a lesson in how to tell a story.
How does a father feel about his sons?
While the film does not give you a patent answer for the above questions, it makes you think and, maybe, appreciate what is happening on the screen.
What is being told here has happened in millions of families (under different circumstances, of course) and, I fear, will continue to happen for times to come.The acting is precise and to the point.
This cannot be put off as just another film with a gay subject matter.
Some people may say that I'm biased, considering Jason Behr is my favorite actor, but that's so not true in this case.
A young man who is hurt by his fathers feelings of total disappointment that his son is gay.
The story takes place at their isolated family cabin.
Where Campbell, his father, and older brother end up unexpectedly.
When I first heard about this movie all I knew was that it's about a dysfunctional family and escaped prisoners in an isolated cabin.
The acting is outstanding all around, but Jason Behr is phenomenal.
This is a great movie, but I must admit that I was not thrilled with the last nighttime scenes, but that's my own personal opinion.
Forget the past, Victor Salva has created a wonderful film to have the world see.
Newcomer Robert Glen Keith, as DJ Faraday is someone I think the film industry needs to recognise as a brillant shining light.
He and Jason Behr ignite the screen not only with their looks but with their talent.
Dean Stockwell and James Remar, the old school actors, must have had a tough time seeing what the new generations had to offer, because I thought the newcomers stole the show..
I bought this video because of my interest in Jason Behr of "Roswell."  I want to reassure other fans that this film is worth viewing.
The plot is far-fetched and lots of the dialogue is predictable, but Jason Behr looks great and has plenty of screen time to satisfy any fan.
The film is mainly a character study about the relationship between fathers and sons.
one of films who could be only a nice try for define the impact of difficulties to assume family values.
it is one of films who propose characters more than a story.
each actor does a decent work and the effort of Victor Salva to give a coherent picture of fight,force of danger,the sentimental derive, confession and the expected verdict is OK.
*Potential Spoilers*While this film is very well cast and filmed, the seemingly sudden turnaround in the father's behavior toward Cameron (Jason Behr's character) was unrealistic.
Having been raised by an eerily similar father, I know this from personal experience.There were elements missing in the film that would justify the father's turnabout, even in such dire circumstances.This is not a predictable plot.
Jason Behr gives an outstanding performance in an unexpected role choice.
He will be a prominent actor to be reckoned with if that happens.I am a great admirer of the film "Powder," and had this script been written on that par, I believe it would have been exceptional.
It certainly had the right director!Overall I would certainly recommend this film, because it has depth and a true edge of realism (in spite of the previously mentioned unrealistic actions of the father)..
Not because I cared in the least about any of the characters but because I was aghast at how execrable the film was and was curious to see how truly low it could sink.Frank (Remar) and Red (Woolvett) are the ex-inmates.
After murdering the two innocent campers they plow through the woods and wangle their way into the isolated cabin of Dean Stockwell and his two sons, the attorney Keith and the estranged homosexual Behr.
No -- the dialog goes something like, "You were just so scared of something inside yourself that you even drove away your own SON." That's Behr, the young gay guy, talking to Stockwell.
It's as if an afternoon domestic drama had had its genes mixed with a killer thriller in some kind of transformational device or cocktail shaker.The only real performance is given by James Remar as the more talkative and ominous of the two escapees.
There's not a surprise in a cartload.If the gay son, Jason Behr, ever blinked, it must have been while I was blinking at the same time because I missed it.
The last desire of each character is to build a real family and the price is always small."Rites of Passage" is, like "Ordinary People", a crisis exploration.
Dean Stockwell (Quantum Leap) and Jason Behr (Roswell) make this film stand out in the video store.
Plus, he can act!Briefly, Rites of Passage is a thriller that will keep you guessing all the way to the bitter end.
After wrapping up a business trip in San Francisco, they go off to the family cabin to talk things out where they find Campbell (Behr) already staying.
The incident happened well over a year ago, and the two are forced to interact now with D.J. in the middle.There are so many character revelations in this movie, I found it difficult to get wrapped up into the story.
We don't even meet the central character, Campbell, until 12 minutes into the film.
It would have helped if the conflicted relationship among the father and two sons was well established at the beginning of the movie, and leave the twists for the plot.
And when there are only two people in a scene, it is rather pointless to be using names at all except to get the other person's attention.* Begin Spoiler* The ending is painful to watch.
Despite his heroics, Campbell comes out looking very needy and stupid, and you realize he now has a lot more to deal with than the frigid relationship with his dad.
With such an open-minded and supportive brother, I don't understand why Campbell needs his father's acceptance.
Obviously, Campbell is still very much in love with Billy, but the new relationship between Campbell and Frank is not explored to any great length in this film.
The story could have ended on a brighter note if the family had no prior relationship with the escapees.
*End Spoiler*Overall, this movie falls a little short on drama and a little long on suspense.
Some family could have been explored in a way that would have been poignant for a 1999 film; however, the context is all wrong.
One focuses more on the wicked homosexual Cameron than on the genuine issues the film tries to raise about acceptance, homosexuality, what it means to be a family, and love.