Get Real – 1998 | 108 mins | Drama, Romance | Colour

Plot Synopsis

Debut director Simon Shore’s gay-themed coming-of-age drama Get Real is based on Patrick Wilde’s play What’s Wrong With Angry?

The film tells the story of teenager Steven Carter (Ben Silverstone), a secretive gay lad, whose secret is only known by his best friend and confidante Linda (Charlotte Brittain). To satisfy his sexual needs, Steven has a habit of hanging outside the men’s toilet at a local park frequented by gay men park, waiting for older guys to pick him up. One day while anticipating a meeting, Steven is astonished to come across the school athletic star John Dixon (Brad Gordon). An improbable romance develops between Steven and John, the highly closeted, hugely popular, school hunk he’s had a crush on for years – Steven couldn’t be happier but John is terrified of his own sexuality.

Get Real recounts the lies, secrets and deceit that Steven must travel before coming to terms with the inescapable realisation that it is better to live the truth than to live a lie. John is determined to keep their relationship concealed, and his involvement with Steven doesn’t shield him from self-loathing homophobia. Steven, meanwhile, gets tormented by John’s pal Kevin (Tim Harris), the school bully, and starts hanging out with Kevin’s ex-girlfriend Jessica (Stacy Hart). Jessica falls for Steven and is confused why he spurns the advances she is making. The film’s climactic scene, in which Steven comes out in a very public way at an awards assembly, is dramatically forced, but nevertheless effective.