“Nana’s Boys” is an intense and suspenseful LGBTQ “relationship film” although shouldn’t we be reluctant to so quickly label it an LGBTQ film? The film could equally be applicable to a heterosexual relationship.
Amari (David J. Cork) and Q (Jared Wayne Gladly) are two black men living together in New York City or perhaps Brooklyn. Initially Q presents a charismatic figure with specific plans and purposes in his life. He is a bit obsessive about cleanliness. He is a successful lawyer. Amari has no real purpose in his life and we quickly sense something is amiss with him as he seems distant and devoid of hope and joy and he is a bit messy to the chagrin of Q. Amari is unemployed recently having lost his job in a corporate downsizing.
A massive explosion rocks Times Square cutting off power to Amari and Q. The apparent calm and confident Q implodes into fear and suffers a panic attack as world order is shattered. He wants to hide in a closet. A is nonplussed as Q prays to God for salvation.
It was Amar’s thirtieth birthday that night and he is thankful he has been rescued from a social event planned by purposeful Q. As he is thirty now with no direction or purpose in life what is there to celebrate?
Amari and Q are marooned in their home due to a city wide lockdown so they play a memory game with photos and then a personal relationship quiz based on random questions they pick from a bowl and answer.
It is only then that cracks in their relationship are discerned. Animosity and distrust increase in intensity but at moments in the current of hopeless and destruction their are eddies of hope only to be dashed then repaired. Be prepared for an emotional see saw on the teeter totter of a relationship. I have reviewed many LGBTG films but never one based on exploring the dynamics of a rocky relationship. Quite frankly it is riveting undulating between hope and despair that a viewer will be caught up in. And although the film is labelled as LGBTQ it goes beyond that to apply to all relationships which in my opinion is a view of the maturity of the (hate to say this) LGBTQ genre.
Both Amari and Q were raised by their grandmothers hence the name of the film “Nana’s Boys”.
“Nana’s Boys” arrives on VOD/digital platforms on February 7 and on DVD February 23.
If you are a bit shy about watching an “LGBTQ Film” it is time for you to come out of the closet!
Top notch acting.
Directed by Ashton Pina.
RKS 2023 Film Rating 90/100.
A Bird's Eye View of Fashion, Food, Travel, Culture, Beverage and Curiosity 