(2012, 114 min)
Country: U.S.
Director: Jay Durrwachter
Studio: TLA Releasing
Language: English
SYNOPSIS: The Deception is composed of two intertwining stories, one a gay coming-of-age story of a teenager nicknamed “Chip” and his first love; the second, that same character twenty years later. Now called Christopher and in the closet, he wants a life in politics, and is about to run for the Maryland Senate with the help of his fiancée’s family — one of the most politically connected in Washington. But when Chris’ first love resurfaces in his life, a man who re-ignites a passion in him, Chris’ carefully constructed world threatens to crumble around him..
REVIEW:
A closeted politician is forced to make a difficult decision when a lover from his past comes back into his life looking to rekindle their youthful romance.
An incredibly ambitious project, The Deception manages to do a whole lot with a small budget, carrying weighty ideas and important themes rarely explored in American film. Paying homage to Bernardo Bertolucci's 1969 classic The Conformist, writer/director Jay Durrwachter (who, sadly, passed away after the film was completed and was in final editing) weaves a tale of political aspirations and repressed romantic desires. The Deception follows Chip and Devon (Garrett Wade and Garner Jarrett), two teen friends who succumb to their mutual attraction while working at an amusement park together during one fateful summer. Interwoven with this story are scenes that take place twenty years later. Chip, who now goes by Christopher (played as an adult by David Busse), is back in the closet. An up-and-coming Maryland politician, Christopher is engaged to be married and plans to run for a seat in the Senate - with the help of his fiancée's wealthy, well-connected family.
An estimable future seems to be his for the taking... until he runs into grown-up Devon (Jerry G. Angelo) unexpectedly. Though "Chip" moved on long ago, Devon has never forgotten the blissful time they shared in their youth. His presence and continued affection are a constant reminder of the more honest life that Christopher left behind. Is Chris willing to let his carefully-constructed facade crumble in order to run off into the sunset with the man he loves? You'll have to watch to find out, but expect some stunning twists and turns in film's final stretch.
-- Review by Robert O'Neill, TLA Video (http://www.tlavideo.com)