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Toy Soldiers (The)
- Director: Erik Peter Carlson
- Writer: Erik Peter Carlson
- Producer: Mark Baier; Erik Peter Carlson
CGiii Comment
Not the prettiest picture of American youth...
The first 20 minutes or so involves a teenage kid battling with his sexuality...we've all been there...but, his 'coming out' may render you speechless - either by the sheer incredulity of it all or by his brazen balls - unfortunately, we were left unconvinced - despite an admirable performance.
The rest of the film then suffers under its hefty length...2 more hours of flippant teens making bad decisions and suffering [endlessly] with their post-pubescent emotional turmoil. Some stories work, some are stretched too far, some seem to be unnecessary.
There's no denying the intelligence and talent behind the camera...with some deft pruning, this could have delivered a knockout blow. Unfortunately, it just keeps on resurrecting itself and staggers to a conclusion that should have arrived much earlier.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
On one evening in a decade of sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll, the innocence of youth and family unravels. Five parallel coming-of-age stories dramatize the stages of grief. A youthful mother in a custody battle over her children, finds tranquility with the bottle. The abuse of her ex-husband still haunts the children; a nineteen year old drug addict, and his younger brother, a bullied closet homosexual.There's the story of the dog; a teen who offers sexual favors to gain acceptance, the challenged classmate who would do anything for her love, and the redhead beauty, haunted by a secret, tragic past. These lives and others will change forever on this final evening before their hangout, The Toy Soldiers Roller Rink, closes its doors for the final time.
Cast & Characters
Najarra Townsend as Angel;
Constance Brenneman as Mary Harris;
Chandler Rylko as Elliot Harris;
Jeanette May Steiner as Layla;
Samuel Nolan as Jack Harris;
Nick Frangione as Steve;
Amelia Haberman as Sue Harris;
Matthew Rogers Harrison as The Stud;
Megan Hensley as Cricket;
Andre Myers as Wilson