The Wolves of Kromer

Gay werewolves? emmmm ... a likely story. Though their shabby fur coats and sewn on tales, definitely shows that this film didn't really have that big of a budget, but its not totally unbelieveable considering the werewolves are suppose of be symbolic of gay males, and not actual monsters.

I'd recommend this film if your looking for a little eye candy, as the two main characters (Gabriel and Seth) aren't too bads on the eyes, considering their both male models! Which generally explains why they were a little lacking in the acting department.

In truth the two old ladies creep the hell out of me, especially Fanny, but there performance was a little better than the wolves, though they don't shine a very nice light on lesbian's.

This is going to sound really bad, but my favourite part was the credits. But only cause they look sooo gorgeous! But I don't want to give too much away.

To sum it up:-

Acting: 5/10 Costumes: 4/10 Plot: 8/10 Eye candy: 10/10

The movie takes place in a small British town. Seth and Gabriel are gay, in love and are werewolves. Meanwhile the townspeople are out to kill them because they're "different".

In this movie the werewolves are (very obviously) a metaphor for gay men. In fact the two actors are always in human form even when they're wolves (this movie was made on a VERY low budget). They just wear fur, have long claws for fingernails and have tails (a big mistake--they look laughable).

As you can tell, this is one strange movie. It's well done, beautiful color and scenery and a lush music score. Also, some of the jokes are quite funny but there are plenty of groaners too. The message is also very pro-gay. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't always work.

The acting is bad (it's obvious they hired models, not actors) and this is a cute idea but it's stretched out to 70 minutes.

So, it has its moments (especially if you're gay) but doesn't work as a whole. Still, I recommend it. When it does work it's great!

The message is one we've heard before, but it is nicely, sweetly told in this parable. What was the message? Don't be mean to people who aren't like you. There was more to it than that, but that was the main point -- and one that is well placed in a fairy-tale form. Rather than a Rosa Parks-esque sort of saga that leaves you with the feeling that the author wanted to pummel their message into your skull, Wolves of Kromer was light... despite a mixture of sadness in it. It was also refreshing to see the main characters, the wolves, were petty thieves rather than unblemished icons. I'm sick of movies that make the downtrodden into martyred saints rather than admitting everyone has failings. Few people are Gandhi. As such I was happy to find that though the people were all story-book caricatures, no one was pure goodness. And while the wolves a bit 'bad', the movie's village folk are more unscrupulous towards each other than the wolves were towards them.

The actresses playing the old servants gave excellent performances. Interestingly, the film had trouble casting the 2 lead roles as few actors wanted to tackle the openly gay parts in this context. According to the director (who was at the screening I saw), this lead them to put models in the leads. They did quite well.

This could almost be a kids' film, but for a scene where a girl is too obvious about enjoying sex. I would like to have seen that scene toned down so the film could reach a younger audience.

I'm always dumbfounded when people equate budget with quality (think of all the high-budget/ low-quality Hollywood movies that dominate the cineplexes). So, yes, this is low budget -- thankfully -- there's no fancy make-up or special effects, and no CGI. This movie is based on a PLAY. And it's filmed that way (not "opened up" very much from the source). Regardless of how you feel about this specific film, please be aware that there are many fine films out there, of varying budgets, that are presented stylistically as more of a play. Most of the time it is an artistic decision having nothing to do with budget.

As far as the content (plot, performances, etc.), I can easily understand why there's much dissension in these areas of this particular film. Certainly this is not a movie for the unwashed masses, or even the washed ones! What I like about it is that it's part murder mystery (not a whodunit) with social commentary, and touches of black humour (I guess in many ways, stereotypically British), not to mention the charming and handsome leads. The Wolves of Kromer is to me what Brokeback Mountain is to many others. So if you want a big-budget flick with big American stars (that's also high in quality), go climb the Mountain!

Odd, odd, odd. It's a little like watching Ken Russell seen through a prism of Alain Resnais. And the "wolves" of the title are not exactly "wolves" and not exactly "werewolves." You'll see what I mean when you see their costumes. Being a wolf, or becoming a wolf through inborn genetic or infectious disease or "contact" is a metaphor for homosexuality. (No, I'm not dissing what I am and what you probably are--it's just part of the film's wackiness.) Once you see it's from a play by Charles Lambert, it all makes sense. But it beautifully translates to film.

I love the old lady, Fanny, who despite myriad lines and wrinkles on her tanned old face still retains the remains of great beauty. Hearing the actress adopt a cockney or regional accent, puckishly enunciating her saucy remarks, is a delight. (She also played the incredible beauty at the end of "The Da Vinci Code.") This film is also a satire of the class war, reminiscent of Mike Leigh's "High Hopes." Catch Polly, a member of the Biffen family, with her ludicrous "county" accent as she wears her quilted jacket and complains that the minister won't allow her dog Parsnip into church.

A delightful film, helped by the fantastic beauty of the English countryside and the fantastic beauty of the lead Gabriel, played by James Layton. A melange of humor, beauty, and oddness.