Play the Devil
- Director: Maria Govan
- Writer: Maria Govan
- Producer: Avrel Fisher; Maria Govan
CGiii Comment
The only thing wrong with this film is the first 60 minutes or so...
Why not start it at the carnival when the film comes alive...rather than having the [dubious] relationship explained in minute and monotonous detail...especially when it is obvious what the intentions of the older man are - he screams gay - and, unfortunately, his acting leaves too much to be desired!
Petrice Jones carries the film from start to finish, delivering a decent performance...although his character is remarkably guilt-free considering the constant Jesus-bashing he gets from his grandmother. And that is the other problem, the script raises significant issues and lets them flounder...in other words: it stays in the shallows rather than veering off into the deep.
With a decent script editor...this film could have flown off the page. As it stands, for a global audience who are immersed and well-versed in gay-themed film, it needed more...more sophistication - challenge your audience rather than spoon-feeding them!
That said...technically the film is not bad...and...
Due credit must be given to Maria Govan...for managing to make the film in the first place. Trinidad & Tobago is not exactly a known cinematic hub...to produce a gay-themed film is an admirable achievement in itself.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
A raw, seductive, sexy, at times, scary, intense portrayal of the collision of age, class, cultural, personal, sexual identity and socioeconomic backgrounds in a relationship between a youth and an adult gone bad.
Cast & Characters
Melanie Archer as Tecaher 1;
Blair Cameron as Celia;
Ayana Cezanne as Kendra;
Aaron N. Charles as Old Fool;
Tami Deonarine as Michaela;
Gareth Jenkins as James Young;
Petrice Jones as Gregory;
Teneille Newallo as Teacher 2;
Akil Nickolas as Devin;
Che Rodriguez as Dad;
Nickolai Salcedo as Fayne;
Daysha Seepaulsing as Stacy;
Penelope Spencer as Grandma;
Mark Wallace as Police Officer