Buy Dare on DVD

Dare (Alan Cumming)

Image / Year: 2009

DVD More Info Close Caption: Yes Region Code: 1 UPC: 014381638523 Catalog #: DV2988002 Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 (Primary), English subtitles, Spanish subtitles	PRE-ORDER: Available 05/28/2013	$9.99
Blu-ray More Info Close Caption: Yes Region Code: 1 UPC: 014381640052 Catalog #: DB2988003 Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 (Primary), English subtitles, Spanish subtitles	PRE-ORDER: Available 05/28/2013	$15.99 (11% off) List Price: $17.99

When new special editions or price reductions are announced.

Synopsis

Originally a short on the Boys Life 5 collection, this gorgeously-crafted film tells the story of a high school gay boy who dares to seduce a mysterious (and very hot) bad boy, while his best girlfriend has designs on the same guy.

3 Reasons To buy this film

The swimming pool scene is scorchingly hot.
Gorgeously shot and told in a crisp style, Dare is indie filmmaking at its best.
Nonchalantly, the character Ben's homosexuality is an assumption, and Johnny's sexuality is left blurred.

Review

Written with wit by David Brind and directed with a clean, crisp style, Dare, takes the gay coming-of-age tale and gives it a fresh new spin. Shot in the wealthy suburbs of Philadelphia's Mainline, this is a story of three children of privilege at the beginning of their adult lives.

Aspiring actress and goody-two-shoes Alexa (Emmy Rossum) does a scene for Grant Matson (Alan Cumming), a successful actor, and asks him for his thoughts. Rather than get the expected pat on the back for a "job well done" Alexa is confronted with her virginity and lack of life experiences. Matson tells her that she needs to lust and desire before she can act out those emotions on stage. Taking the bull by the horn (so to speak) she goes to a party at the home of Johnny Drake (Zach Gilford) and intends on seducing him. Johnny is a handful; he's always in trouble, and doesn't make friends easily. What I've neglected to tell you is that Alexa goes to the party with her best gay friend Ben Berger (Ashley Springer), who also desires Johnny in a big way. Ben approaches Johnny by his pool, and tells him that he's never been kissed before. Johnny kisses Ben who responds with years of pent-up lust. And a menage-a-trois with three beautiful teenagers has begun.

Studded with queer star icons, Sandra Bernhard, Cady Huffman and Ana Gasteyer, Dare is a polished gem, dripping with teenage angst, desire and need. David Brind and Adam Salky's film is a chestnut that will only get sweeter with age.

-- Scott Cranin

Product Format Information

DVD : $9.99

Availability: PRE-ORDER:
Available 05/28/2013
Close Caption: Yes
Region Code: 1
UPC: 014381638523
Catalog #: DV2988002

Studio : Image

Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 (Primary) , English Subtitles , Spanish Subtitles
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen
Extras: Trailers, Deleted Scenes
Features:
Audio commentary: With director Adam Salky and writer David Brind
Short film: This disc also contains the original short film, also found on Boys Life 5

---------------------------------------------------

Blu-ray : $15.99

Availability: PRE-ORDER:
Available 05/28/2013
Close Caption: Yes
Region Code: 1
UPC: 014381640052
Catalog #: DB2988003

Studio : Image

Languages: English Dolby Digital 5.1 (Primary) , English SDH Subtitles , Spanish Subtitles
Aspect Ratio: Anamorphic Widescreen
Features:
Audio commentary: with director Adam Salky and writer David Brind
Short film: In addition to the feature, this disc contains the short film Dare which is also on Boys Life 5

Customer Reviews

Well Written

Paul Anthony wrote on 09/10/2010:

Johnny was an excellent portrayal of what a bisexual man goes through as he allows himself to be. Perfect acting on all fronts and even though I would have loved to see the boy get the girl and get the boy, it was an ending none the less. Kudos! Very Well Written!!!

Growing up

Clinton H. wrote on 03/23/2010:

These kids have there share of problems: Isn't that what growing up is all about? However, I was very surprised at the way these kids chose to face those problems, throwing themselves into the situation without much thought. It's an intriguing movie.

BTW, I always fall for the troubled soul.

Very Good Film

Gaelan wrote on 03/19/2010:

I was engaged, interested and will watch it again. The story has a nice twist or two - and I like the reflected reality that the dark horse is the one that will typically achieve freedom.

Zach Gilford gives a wonderful, nuanced performance of the death/rebirth/wounded healer mythic-journey. He is able to quietly communicate pure need and loneliness.

Both Emmy Rossum and Ashley Springer bring vulnerability that is convincingly revealed as the simple self-centered-ness of the young and oblivious.

At the end of it all, the 'weak' one has the greater potential for being a better person and the 'strong' retreat to the conventionality and predictable safety of the suburban dream.

A Sometimes Dare

JANORM wrote on 02/25/2010:

This film is very remarkable in its ability to portray a series of events in the life of late teens/early adults and the sexual situations that they are exposed to. Some people may find this film more of a fantasy than fact. That is a problem, for this situation can happen anytime, anywhere. I have seen it evolve over 40+ yrs ago and have heard about it some 20+ yrs ago. The original short film "Dare," was a real shocker and opened many events that had been repressed. This situation can and is a reoccurring phenomena for the young people of this planet. The portrayals in this film can be very disconcerting as they mimic real life. This should be considered a classical film of its genera and be part of your collection. THE EMOTIONS OF SEXUALITY CAN SOMETIMES LEAD US TO TOTALLY DIFFERENT PATHS! NJMJr!

dare to change

wilmbear wrote on 02/20/2010:

Although dare the short film came across as a sweet romantic coming of age tale. The movie turns the gay lead character into a sexual preditor and came player and adds a female character who is no better. Although well acted filmed and written I wish they had changed name as this is neither romantic nor a coming of age tale unless you want to be a sexual preditor

See the rest of the reviews