Blue Citrus Hearts

By: Scott Cranin
In-House Review - Sep 21 2011

Artfully gritty, Morgan Jon Fox's Blue Citrus Hearts is an emotional powerhouse of a film that tells of a love so strong, and so unexpressed, it burns. This is the story of Sam and Julien, two teenage boys in love in Memphis, Tenn and their difficulty in uttering the words. Sam is a moody boy, constantly writing in a journal, but unable to let anyone see his work. His girlfriend Ariel has just about had it with him. The only bright light in his life is his budding new friendship with Julien. They go together to the café, show each other their secret places, wrestle on the grass—it's obvious they're in love. But these are teenagers—and they're just not ready. Then one night Sam shows Julien a poem he's written, called "Blue Citrus Hearts" and it's about his crush on his best friend.

Made in an experimental style, with lines of poetry digitally scratched into the film, sometimes jarring editing and a non–linear story, be prepared for a distinctly non–Hollywood experience. And this isn't an insult. There's a freshness and an originality missing from most films today. The soundtrack is strong, and the local music certainly adds flavor to the film. The actors in the film are pimply high school students—these aren't 25 year–olds playing high school students. This portrayal of first love film pulled this jaded writer off the sofa onto the floor hugging a pillow. The emotions in Blue Citrus Hearts feel real, don't miss this rare cinematic experience.

By: Charlienan

By: Codan

Yes, the audio is a bit off. Yes, the acting is not the best. Yes, the wind kills the sound at the ending. But still, but still, I love the poetry. I love Sam and Julien, and Sam's mom, and the music, great music, the playfulness, and Julien's flaying arms when they cross the street, and I love the shooting star when they kiss (and they say it wasn't planned). It's in my top 20 for sure! Maybe top 10. :)

By: Niceguy

Maybe I need to watch this film again, and I will, but on first viewing I didn't clutch a pillow to my chest and disolve into a puddle of sympathy and empathy for Julien, who is particularly miserable, or Sam who had his act together far better than Julien. Both performances are more than credible.

I realize that the film is set in barely middle-class Memphis, and contrasts two wildly different family environments. Julien's family makes it hard, if not impossible for him to explore his tormented inner self because no one, and especially not his cartoonish father, is sensitive to him, and he doesn't have the courage of his convictions. Sam lives with his single mother, who obviously loves him, isn't afraid to let him know that, and encourages his exploration of himself.

All of that makes for an interesting plot, if not an unfamiliar one, but the painful reluctance that these two guys show in getting closer to each other really belies believability - at least for me. I guess the whole bit is drawn out too much. We get the point already, so what happens next?

Actually not much, and that's basically my problem with the film. Teenage angst over personal sexuality issues is not a new story, not even in Memphis, and the film doesn't really move beyond demonstrating how awful those feelings can be, at least for Julien. Even teenagers, confused as they may be, have an easier time of expressing their emotions than this film would have you believe.

This certainly isn't a Hollywood effort, and I didn't particularly like the poor sound quality or the ragged editing. Perhaps I'm too enured to the Hollywood formula in both plot and production values.