source: Play the Devil

Moviecut—Play the Devil

Good acting minus the older guy. Loved the grandmother and best friend devins acting. Petrice who plays Greg is a rising star. The stereotype of homosexuality being something you are recruited into is sadly worked into the plot and the light skin son being the good smart one and the dark son being the wayward bad one is also a part of the plot and these things show that this film was done by a white and I imagine straight woman thus the lack of authenticity. A good film but these stereotypes bring it down

This is seriously one of the most captivating and visually spectacular films of the last decade. It accurately shows a "slice of life" in a tropical island paradise between the "haves and have-nots" in Trinidad and Tobago. The character studies of Greg and his home life are not only astounding, but draw the viewer into a world that few people off the island see. We not only empathize with Greg's' plight, but understand how he was so easily taken with a sympathetic "father figure", who turns out to be more of a fatal attraction. The emotions and reactions this film evokes are visceral; you can sense the despair in Greg as he seems to sink deeper and deeper. I am honestly far from a prude, but I had to stop watching/look away through most of the sex scene (and it was relatively tame) just because I really felt the mercenarial tone going on there. And this becomes more and more evident as the film progresses when we see Greg's ability to control his life is slowly being taken away. In fact, while many of the reviews here are saying "homophobia!", I think they are totally missing the point: this was NOT about a boy coming to grips with being homosexual; it was about his CHOICES (i.e. to come out as gay) being taken from him and being controlled by someone more powerful; all the clues were there. The character of Greg's friend, "Devin" is masterful, representing the comfortable and predictable stability in his life, a "constant"...even an unwelcome one. Devin delivers some of the most masterful lines of the film which in fact underscore a deeper wisdom of Greg's situation ("opportunity...now that's real freedom" or referring to James as Greg's "sugar daddy" in jest...but not really). I would have liked to see a version twice as long, or even a mini-series since there were just too many interesting characters, questions and situations that still could have been explored. All in all, this is a cinematic master-piece...what more should be said?

Director Maria Govan's intriguing character study will not be acceptable to those viewers who want someone else (director, actor) to telegraph who's the bad guy. The film is Play the Devil. Govan is playing Devil's Advocate. You have to think when you watch this movie, and you may not be happy with your decisions. What seems on the surface to be one of those May-December gay romance stories, set in the poverty-stricken island of Trinidad, turns into Billy Budd. Beautiful and naïve, young Gregory (Petrice Jones) is the promise of his family. Approached by an older (but not old) businessman (Gareth Jenkins) with plenty of money, he finds himself flattered by the attention-at first. Here is a chance to escape poverty, receive an education, and live in indolent luxury. It is tempting, but the young man has second thoughts-and needs space. Perhaps he is not gay after all. However, his obsessed older fan won't take no for an answer and begins insinuating himself into all aspects of Greg's life. Feeling more and more trapped and cornered, Greg sees how such a relationship will ease the burdens of his family and open up a new world for him. Yet, his stalker knows better-and insists that the young man is merely fighting his nature when he should give in to it. It's enhanced by two remarkable performances by the leads. You know this is heading in a negative direction, but perhaps you will not see how it must conclude. Set against the Carnival of Trinidad where young men paint themselves in blue and act the role of devils, chaotically racing through the streets, you have a clear case of possession. You may not have just another gay movie here. Director Govan is not making this easier with her parallels to Billy Budd, and her film becomes an un-gay parable.

Play the Devil