Dorian Blues

New York Times - 09/23/2005
"[A] small, sweet film....With some gentle humor that will delight the NAPOLEON DYNAMITE set, DORIAN BLUES lights a natural little footpath between two ways of living."

First-time director Tennyson Bardwell serves up a fresh entry in the coming out/coming of age genre with this movingly funny tale of a young man exploring his sexuality in the face of judgmental parents, siblings, and classmates. Dorian Lagatos (Michael McMillian) is just finishing high school, where his classmates suspect he's gay but generally ignore him. Daunted by his arch-conservative father, Dorian suppresses his urges and pursues the status quo, planning to escape to college in New York. But suddenly, with the assistance of a therapist, a priest, and a momentous first boyfriend, Dorian comes into his own--and comes out to his family, his friends, and the world.

Starring Michael McMillian from the teen hit television series WHAT I LIKE ABOUT YOU, DORIAN BLUES draws from director Bardwell's real-life experience. When Bardwell began college, he had no exposure to gay life or people. He began a close friendship with an openly gay classmate, and that friendship inspired the film. With his friend serving as the model for Dorian, Bardwell has created a funny, sad film that speaks to the universal experience of finding oneself.

Coming Of Age | Gay / Lesbian | Self-Discovery | Teenagers | Theatrical Release