I’ve seen quite a few movies centered around LGBTQ+ themes, but this one left me feeling more fulfilled than most. It managed to sidestep all the usual tropes. Films like this don't come along very often. Even though it is a gay-themed film, there isn’t a romantic storyline present. Instead, the narrative explores different viewpoints, considering how things appear through the lens of sports or music, for example. Perhaps this could be a suitable film for families to watch when dealing with LGBTQ+ topics—of course, assuming those families are open-minded about it. The movie doesn't promote any particular ideology but presents harassment based on identity in a matter-of-fact way and delivers an important message at the end. Welcome to T18; happy new year! This is my first review of the year, and it’s a good start for me as a film enthusiast. I consider it a rare find. It's an Irish production filmed in English. Keep in mind that this isn’t from Britain or Australia, so the cast and crew are largely unfamiliar. That means watching it feels similar to experiencing a low-budget movie. The initial setup reminded me of ‘Wild Child’. However, that was an American film offering an American perspective on British boarding schools. If you're accustomed to mainstream Hollywood teen movies, you might find this one slightly unusual because the students are respectful toward their teachers, unlike typical rebellious American teenagers. > -xX] There will come a point in the future when you won’t have to lie anymore. [Xx- The film’s title may strongly suggest a gay romance, but as I mentioned earlier, that isn't what it is. It tells the story of two boys, and most of it is narrated from Ned's perspective. When his parents relocated to Southwestern Asia for work, he was left at a boarding school. He's quite popular among his peers due to his sexual orientation—though this wasn’t explicitly confirmed until a new roommate arrived. This newcomer is handsome and plays rugby, but they end up collaborating on a talent show performance where they have to prepare a song. The conflict between sports and music then surfaces, creating further complications in an already tense situation. The film was made last year, before the legalization of same-sex marriage in Ireland. The timeline of the story itself is unclear, but it seems to be set just prior to that legal change. This makes sense when you consider how events unfold—there's still a mixed response from society, and many LGBTQ+ individuals are hesitant to come out, so harassment continues toward those perceived as different. In addition to this, the narrative is told through the eyes of a teenager, but I particularly appreciated the small glimpses we get from a teacher’s perspective; that felt like an extra benefit. Rugby plays a role in the storytelling, but it's not the central focus; therefore, any events occurring during sporting competitions feel natural and avoid cliché. The same goes for the musical elements of the film—it effectively conveyed its message. What truly stood out was how these two themes were interwoven to create an impactful awareness film. It’s not only one of the best LGBTQ+ films I've seen but also among the best films of the year. Definitely worth watching! _7/10_

Source on TMDB