Welcome to The Film Pub's very first Versus article. This is where we take two similar films, TV shows, and/or video games that have recently been released. We then compare them against each other in three primary categories. The categories will slightly vary depending on the products in question. Whoever wins most if not all the categories or has the higher final verdict score at the end wins the match up. There may be a time or two where there is a tiebreaker, which will result in a verdict titled DRAW. Expect those verdicts to be on the rare side, unless you see otherwise.
In the case of today’s Versus matchup, we have two new LGBT films going head to head. We have "Am I OK?", starring Dakota Johnson and streaming exclusively on Max, going up against the newly released "National Anthem", Luke Gilford's full-length indie directorial debut. The three categories we're going to judge these films on are as follows: visual presentation, audio quality, and overall narrative content.
Round 1) Presentation
As far as range in the visuals are concerned, this round is already a no-brainer. "National Anthem" provides a much more diversified experience. You have segments taking place both indoors and outdoors within multiple areas. You're taken to more interesting venues ranging from a ranch to a rodeo to a department store to a small home to a nightclub to a construction site.
Conversely, the bulk of "Am I OK?" takes place 90% indoors at least. The interior decor in some of these offices are nice and spacious. The diner our characters go to feels almost like something out of "Seinfeld". The texting back and forth between characters is easy and clear to read as they're being written. Its production quality overall is fairly standard and average.
With "National Anthem", it gets even more points on account of its shot composition. A high angle shot with our main couple looking at the night sky at the back of a pickup truck, without us actually seeing the sky. Another high angle shot with them surveying the Western landscape. Whenever these two are embracing, you truly feel the passion and eroticism as if you're in on the action. That's what good shot composition should do, and this film has that covered head to toe.
Round 1 Winner) National Anthem
Round 2) Audio
Not much to say in this category. However, the outcome is still the same in that "National Anthem" provides a more complete package. There's original music and licensed tracks performed in the film. The vocals from those that sing on stage are solid in their own right. This film has more of a range to it, making it more suitable to see in a theater.
That isn't to say that "Am I OK?" has shortcomings with its audio quality. It's merely once again implying that what it has on offer is what we at least expect it to have. It does what it needs to and not much more. Even if the roles were reversed and this film was released in theaters instead, the outcome would be the same in that "National Anthem" has more to offer.
Round 2 Winner) National Anthem
Round 3) Narrative
This is the most important category of the three considering that this is the element we'll keep coming back to more than anything else. On that front, "National Anthem" once again has much more working in its favor. It takes us to a type of queer culture we didn't think existed and allows us to take it in and see it in action. The characters, specifically those played by Eve Lindley and Mason Alexander Park, have more dynamic and outgoing personalities.
You immediately get an idea of who these people are and what they stand for. Park in particular has a strong piece of character development for how they came to be in the position they're in. It's honest to who they are while also representing many people today that are in a similar boat. The rules and expectations for how life at their ranch works is definitely ambiguous. Sometimes it's for the best, in that Lindley's other boyfriend isn't the jealous archetype we're used to seeing in other films.
Other times, it can be a little confusing such as when all three involved in the primary love triangle partake in a threesome that isn't supposed to be taken seriously. "National Anthem" is more about just one love story. It's about a group of people that become their own growing adoptive family unit based on their life experiences. To put it simply, this film is engaging because it lets the characters breathe and enjoy their time in the spotlight.
While "Am I OK?" does track its lead's journey as she figures out what kind of romantic partners make her happy, it's a far more routine affair. You've got a friendship that's on rocky terrain due to one of the friends moving to a different country. They have a fallout around the film's midpoint that results in highly predictable outcomes that drag the experience a good bit. The chemistry between Johnson and the women she dates leaves much to be desired.
It starts off with one woman before switching to a couple others. Not enough time is spent examining these relationships either. And whatever time we do get is only alright. In a day and age that's seen the remarkable things the TV industry is capable of, it seems that's the price we pay for this film being under 90 minutes long. There's elements of spark on account of the actors, but the destination, or more appropriately lack thereof, is what lets the experience down.
That's not to say that "National Anthem" doesn't have shortcomings in its narrative. I'll admit that I felt like I was missing something in the third act. It didn't make sense why our lead, played by Charlie Plummer, would go back to his old life when he obviously enjoyed the new life and what he had there. "National Anthem" was wise to avoid delving into tempting cookie cutter stereotypes with some of the supporting and background characters.
While the lead played by Plummer is a blank slate in comparison to Lindley and Park, he does have an easygoing personality that goes with the flow. His journey and decisions aren't something that everyone else would embrace so willingly, as evidenced by the negative attitude our current era is under. But the fact that he's open to these possibilities speaks volumes. This makes "National Anthem" a more bold and rewarding film to watch, especially for LGBT audiences who have or haven't come out of the closet.
Round 3 Winner) National Anthem
My overall thoughts on each film are as such. Although there are ingredients in the mix that could make a film of its nature work, "Am I OK?" feels fairly safe and frankly a bit on the dull side. I like Dakota Johnson fine, but there's not much here to latch onto story wise.
I wasn't expecting too much out of "National Anthem" going in, but I was pleasantly surprised by its quality nonetheless. I'm actually impressed enough that I hope that future filmmakers could learn from this film's example, and embrace this colorful culture more with the opportunities they open up.
Final Verdict: Am I OK?: 5.5/10
National Anthem: 8/10
WINNER: NATIONAL ANTHEM
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