Bag Boy Lover Boy Blu-ray Review

Severin Films presents "Bag Boy Lover Boy" on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. The film, captured digitally using Arri Alexa cameras, achieves commendable detail levels, although it maintains a somewhat flat and drab visual style. The color grading favors cooler tones, often resulting in flesh tones veering towards purplish hues. This desaturated palette is likely an intentional stylistic decision, contributing to the film’s uniquely surreal aesthetic.

However, this stylistic choice does come with its downsides. Detail levels can falter significantly during dimly lit scenes, such as early sequences featuring Albert in his apartment or during some of the photo studio scenes later in the film. These moments highlight a reduction in clarity, potentially detracting from the viewer's immersive experience. Despite these drawbacks, the Blu-ray transfer proficiently maintains the film’s intended atmosphere and artistic vision.

"Bag Boy Lover Boy" presents an LPCM 2.0 audio mix that, while not groundbreaking, offers reliable performance. The mix maintains a clear focus on dialogue, delivering consistent and clean fidelity throughout. Ambient effects, although not particularly immersive or spatially distinguished, are noticeable, especially during outdoor scenes. This ensures that the film's atmosphere is adequately conveyed without overwhelming the primary audio elements.

Given the movie's dialogue-heavy nature, the audio mix excels in providing articulate and distinct verbal exchanges without any significant issues. While lacking the complexity and richness of more advanced formats such as Dolby Atmos, the straightforwardness of the LPCM 2.0 track serves this film well. For viewers who prioritize clear and coherent dialogue, this audio presentation is satisfactory and serves the film’s straightforward technical needs effectively.

The Blu-ray release of "Bag Boy Lover Boy" includes a robust collection of extras that enrich the viewing experience. The audio commentary by Director Andres Torres, Actor Theodore Bouloukos, and Editor Charlie Williams provides deep insights into the film's production, creative decisions, and thematic elements, making it a valuable addition for cinephiles and film students. Included are the unique student films of actor Jon Wachter, "Got Light" and "The Never Starting Story," both in black and white and silent, showcasing his early creative endeavors. These additions offer a fascinating glimpse into Wachter's artistic development. Extras included in this disc:

• Trailer: The official trailer in 1080p, offering a glimpse into the film's atmosphere.
• Audio Commentary: Insightful discussion by the film’s director, lead actor, and editor.
• Got Light: A silent black and white student film by Jon Wachter.
• The Never Starting Story: Another silent black and white student film by Jon Wachter, featuring mandatory commentary by Wachter.

"Bag Boy Lover Boy" is a strikingly odd entry in the realm of independent films, with its unique blend of black humor and unsettling horror elements. The narrative centers around Albert, an intellectually limited and socially awkward hot dog vendor in New York City, played intriguingly by Jon Wåchter. Wåchter's portrayal, a curious mix of naive passivity and latent menace, sets the tone for the film’s off-kilter ambiance. The bizarre plot kicks off when Albert encounters Ivan Worthington, a professional photographer with dubious artistic claims. Ivan becomes enamored with Albert’s peculiar demeanor and enlists him in increasingly grotesque and fetishistic photo sessions. Though Albert lacks the cognitive ability to grasp the sinister depth of these activities, he inevitably spirals into a nightmarish realm where art and violence intermingle dangerously.

The film’s screenplay, penned by Toni Comas and Andre Torres (the latter also assuming directorial duties), dives into themes of exploitation and identity without clear exploration or resolution. Clocking in at a brief hour and fifteen minutes, "Bag Boy Lover Boy" presents its oddities through a sequence of surreal vignettes, often overshadowed by their own absurdity. The film achieves moments of visual strangeness, such as food-smearing photo shoots and unsettling interactions involving a pig-costumed model, yet many sequences feel contextually unmoored, diluting potential comedic or horror impacts.

While "Bag Boy Lover Boy" could intrigue those with a penchant for dark humor and unconventional narratives, it struggles to fully commit to its dual comedic-horror ambitions, alternating between Lynchian peculiarities and macabre escapades without always hitting the mark. Even with strong performances that render its characters memorably bizarre, the film's disjointed structure and unclear character motivations may leave viewers more perplexed than entertained. Still, it stands as a fascinating experiment in genre-blurring cinema that delves into the psyche of a man on the fringes of society and sanity.

Bag Boy Lover Boy presents a bizarre yet unique cinematic experience that stands out in the crowded world of indie horror. Shot with a raw, almost guerrilla-style aesthetic, the film follows the unsettling journey of a hot dog vendor who becomes embroiled in a twisted world of performance art photography. The narrative oscillates between dark humor and outright horror, making for a viewing experience that is both disturbing and captivating. The Blu-ray transfer boasts impressive clarity and color accuracy, preserving the film's original grimy visual texture while enhancing the details in each frame.

Sonically, the Blu-ray delivers a robust audio experience. The soundtrack is well-balanced, ensuring that dialogue remains clear even amid the chaotic scenes. Minor atmospheric sounds, such as the ambient noise of city streets or the distant hum of machinery, are effectively rendered to build an immersive soundscape. The special features on this Blu-ray release are commendable and provide valuable context to the film's unconventional storyline. Interviews with the director and cast, along with a behind-the-scenes featurette, contribute greatly to understanding the creative vision behind this one-of-a-kind movie.

I've said this same thing a few other times recently in reviews for other candidates for Oddest Film I've Reviewed, but the one thing Bag Boy Lover Boy has going for it is that it's sui generis. You may not like all of it, or even most of it, but chances are you've never seen anything quite like it before. Technical merits are generally strong for those considering a purchase.

I’ll say this about Bag Boy Lover Boy: it gets points for being one of the absolute strangest films I’ve seen recently (outside of Feed the Light, another Severin Films release). It’s certainly not going to be for everybody, if indeed it is for anybody. It’ll make you never want to eat hot dogs again, that’s for sure. However, it’s certain to find its way onto many best of lists for being one of the year’s truly odd experiences on Blu-ray.