Poster Boy

2004 Drama

A conservative politician who believes he can count on his family for support discovers his son is not the man he thought he was in this drama. Jack Kray (Michael Lerner) is a United States senator from the South whose right-wing views have earned him the nickname "the Nazi from North Carolina." Jack is running for reelection and is looking for support wherever he can get it; told he needs to increase his appeal with younger voters, Jack tries to persuade his son Henry (Matt Newton), a college student, to make a few campaign stops with him. While Jack's wife (and Henry's mom), Eunice (Karen Allen), tries to convince her husband this isn't a good idea, Jack refuses to take no for an answer from Henry. But there's something Jack doesn't know about his son -- Henry is gay, and while he only shares this secret with a small handful of trusted friends and lovers, he can't bring himself to support his father's anti-gay "family values" platform. However, Henry's sexual preference may not stay a secret for long -- Henry has hooked up with Anthony (Jack Noseworthy), a student political activist who wants a long-term relationship with Henry and refuses to play coy about it, while some of Henry's other partners have come forward about his homosexuality. Poster Boy was originally announced as a project for director Herbert Ross, who died before the film went into production; Douglas Keeve took over as director, but resigned before shooting was completed, so editor Zac Tucker completed the movie and received sole screen credit. more..

Director: Zak Tucker

Starring: Jack Noseworthy, Matt Newton, Michael Lerner, Valerie Geffner, Karen Allen

Reviews

  • The film's strident tone also serves to undermine its generally above-average performances.

    Maitland McDonagh - TV Guide

    26 April 2013

  • Even with satisfying performances from the principal actors, Poster Boy is longer on energy than focus.

    Kevin Thomas - Los Angeles Times

    26 April 2013

  • Underproduced and compromised by an uneven script and a tendency to descend into melodrama, the DV-lensed feature nonetheless is well acted and directed with confidence.

    David Rooney - Variety

    26 April 2013

  • Director Zak Tucker is a bit too fond of jump cuts as signifiers of edginess. Still, when the material doesn't get in the way he's pretty good at getting across the emotional content.

    Hank Sartin - Chicago Reader

    26 April 2013

  • Some clunky writing and a distracting subplot limit the effectiveness of this ambitious low-budget indie. Great idea for a movie, though.

    - The San Francisco Chronicle

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Outstanding Screenwriting

    L.A. Outfest (2004)

  • Zak Tucker

    Locarno International Film Festival (2004)