MQFF NOTES: Henry Gamble's Birthday Party (2015, Dir. Stephen Cone)

If Henry Gamble's Birthday Party is to be believed, religious fundies really do have more fun. Though not without their own peculiar issues. Stephen Cone's curiously respectful film takes place over the course of 24 hours in the lead-up, get-down and fallout of Henry's 16th birthday pool party.

Together with twenty or so of his closest school friends, family members and church buddies young and old, Henry (Cole Doman) comes of age and comes to terms with those tickling butterflies in his belly. You know, the ones that flutter around whenever he sees his best friend naked. Around him, Cone's film throbs with the awkward party vibe that comes when a bunch of people from different backgrounds get together and try to keep their personal demons under wraps.

Doman makes for an exceptional entry point into this ensemble piece. His performance endears immediately and the understatedness of his struggle with his sexual attraction makes it super easy to celebrate the small victories, especially amidst the film's more forced dramatic moments.

Cone's ability to navigate a path between the film's queer sensibility and its respectful treatment of conservative church-goers impresses. There's a quiet satirical camp in where Cone chooses to focus his gaze, his nu-wave soundtrack, the little queer easter eggs (a copy of Araki's Kaboom gets a flash at one point) and the self-knowing edge he's asked of many of the performances. Those clean cut christians are just too much sometimes.

Henry Gamble's Birthday Party is super enjoyable. Engaging, personable and sometimes even revealing. Head and shoulders above what I was expecting.

★★★☆

Trailer:

Henry Gamble's Birthday Party screened as part of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival 2016.

You can check out other films from the festival here.