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Amos Lassen wrote on 06/03/2009:

“Crutch”

Coming to Terms

Amos Lassen

”Crutch” is an autobiographical film taken from the real life experiences of writer/director/star Rob Moretti. It is the coming-of-age story of a young man who faces family problems as well as substance abuse. David comes from a middle-class family which lives under the facade of perfection. However, behind that facade we see that his life is quickly falling apart. As he tries to come to terms with what is happening around him, he comes under the mysterious spell of Kenny, a very good-looking has been actor who is now a theater coach. Kenny seduces David thus hastening his fall into a well of alcohol and substance abuse. In order to survive David must find a way out of this situation and “Crutch” gives us the sad tale of the young man’s confusion and the difficulties he faces in finding himself.
The movie is beautifully written and incredibly acted. David has to struggle not only with coming out but with drug addiction, alcoholism, family and love. It is honest and it is hard. There are demons in all of the characters in the movie but somehow they are ousted by goodness.
Rob Moretti as Kenny gives a bravura performance. The relationship with him as Kenny and Eben Gordon as David is very real and very strongly portrayed. The message of the dangers of drug abuse and how to conquer it is very potent. But there is another message here and that is how to struggle against overwhelming odds.
When David tries to escape the reality of what was happening in his home life---a father who cheats and leaves his mother for another woman and an alcoholic self-destructive mother, he joins an acting class. The acting teacher encourages David’s
participation and finds himself reacting to his attraction for the youth.
Because he needs order in his life, David opens up his sexuality and he and Kenny bond. David discovers that Kenny has a problem with drugs and David begins using cocaine and his own descent begins. The relationship turns into one of love/hate with David becoming the movie star that Kenny could not be because of his drug problem, David tries to return to his family and his girlfriend eventually but he finds disaster there. However, in the last few minutes of the movie everything changes. Before the credits roll, we learn where each of the character is at present.
The movie is a heartfelt confessional with a very strong emotional pull. It is a human movie as it tugs at the heart and brings you into a whirlpool of emotion. There are no cliché’s here nor are there stereotypes. We see human beings at the most raw they can be. We watch as an impressionable teenager is taken advantage of and we see their story from the very onset with flirtation to their horrible parting and we get everything in between. David, whose parents are too self-absorbed in their own problems, really needed someone with whom he could talk to and confide in. His home situation was miserable and he was going through the most emotional, confusing and important formative years of life. Kenny did not care about this—he had his own agenda—to seduce David. Little by little Kenny works on this seduction until it reaches the point that David becomes a regular visitor to his apartment where is given marijuana and a great deal of alcohol and Kenny gets his wish. Soon the two are spending a great deal of time together and getting loaded and having sex. For David this is a downward spiral. When David spends a stash of cocaine I Kenny’s apartments and uses it, he has almost hit bottom.
David’s life is filled with problems. Aside from his dysfunctional family, he is using both alcohol and drugs; he is confused over his sexual identity and his relationship with his teacher. He is merely a teenager and not prepared nor equipped to deal with his situation in life.
The film gives you a great deal to think about. I still have pictures in my mind of the two men. I will say that the movie is very special and is title is so correct. All of us have crutches. David’s make mine look very small and inconsiderable.
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