"The Wolves of Kromer" is a modern fairy tale, but it may not be one to take the kids to on a Sunday afternoon. This isn't your average Walt Disney movie.
In fact, what an advertisement called a "modern fairy tale about lust, greed and sexuality," is actually about homosexual men who live as outcasts and engage in petty thievery and sexual indulgence.
The story, narrated by none other than '80s gender-bending pop star Boy George, is part love story, part murder mystery.
"Wolves" begins with an encounter between Gabriel (James Layton) and Seth (Lee Williams), two wolves who obviously are sexually attracted to one another, starts the film. Gabriel is the more experienced wolf, while Seth, a newcomer to the pack, still questions his sexuality.
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Back in the tiny rural town of Kromer, the sinister Fanny (Rita Davies) and her nutty friend Doreen (Margaret Towner) plot the murder of the sickly Mrs. Drax (Rosemary Dunham), who Fanny cares for, in an effort to inherit her estate. Fanny's plan is to frame the savage wolves for Mrs. Drax's murder.
Gabriel and Seth, clad in fur coats complete with long tails, are easy targets because of the townspeople's fear of the big bad wolves.
Up in arms over the death of the old woman, and in what is a caustic commentary on homosexual biases in society, the town forms a mob to hunt down the wolves who only "bring disease and spread trouble" in the quaint village.
The irony of the battle between good (the townspeople) and evil (the wolves) lies in the fact that Kromer's residents exude true immorality while hiding under the pretense of the church. Gabriel and Seth, on the other hand, only seek love and acceptance.
While the picturesque shots of the English countryside, Gabriel and Seth's urban good looks and the vivid textured colors of the film dominate the movie's visual appeal, the real cinematic triumph is much more subtle.
In one of the final scenes, a panning shot of the church shows the building's architecture is suspiciously phallic.
While the film makes a serious statement about homosexuality, it is also rife with humorous performances and subtle English wit.
Although "Wolves" is appealing visually and well-written, director Will Gould would have done more justice to writer Chris Lambert's unique story had he developed the onscreen characters of Gabriel and Seth more thoroughly. The movie also might have conveyed Lambert's ideas and messages much more effectively had the movie lasted longer than 90 minutes.
The lack of development of Gabriel and Seth's characters was a missed opportunity to gain more sympathy from the audience, and make the tragedy of the story more glaring.
Even though Gabriel and Seth's characters leave something to be desired, performances by Williams and Layton, who gave their acting debuts in this film, are stirring.
The other actors lend wit and experience to their parts, highlighting their characters in the film, which exaggerates their homophobia and the contradictions of the church.
This modern fable is an interesting twist on the big bad wolf in Little Red Riding Hood and the homophobia that tears people apart. And although the film's stars are animals, they depict a frighteningly real human prejudice.
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