I watched this movie last night, knowing nothing about it except that it was in the "gay section" on Amazon Prime, some ruggedly attractive guys were on the cover, and it was independent. As such, I wasn't sure whet to expect. With a name like "Leather" I was half expecting it to be about S&M.Needless to say what I wound up watching was something else all together and I was pleasantly surprised. "Leather" is actually a dreamlike film about three people all at various crossroads in their lives, rediscovering themselves in a cabin out in the woods. The title references the fact that one of the main characters makes things out of leather and is a brilliant craftsmen. The pastoral mood of the movie pulled me in and I found myself longing to walk the wooded paths as well. The sun-washed shots of the lake were a perfect frame to showcase the beautiful story as it unfolded. The story of childhood friends trying to reconnect, long forgotten feelings, the passing of time - and letting to of people and places that have served their purpose in life - these themes are dealt with impressively. This is not a movie for anyone looking for car chases or things blowing up - but for anyone who wants to go on an emotional journey - and also enjoy some beautiful nature in the process, this film is highly recommended.

Truly I think Birch was such an interesting character in the film because it really reminds you of what life would be like without living a modern life but a really basic one living in the middle of nowhere! Seriously Chris Graham really did a pretty good job in playing a strange country boy and like Christ, how did he manage to sleep with that beard ha ha. It looked really awesome on him! Then there was Andrew, he was like a really caring and a very cool dude that is so devoted to Birch! However the fact, he brought his boyfriend Kyle along to his childhood home. It made the storyline a bit edgy with that involved with cheating behind Kyles back!We met Kyle. His character has a sense of humor that he would really make you laugh along with this film. The funniest scene was when he got so drunk with May (the puppeteer that embarrassed Andrew with the blast from his past) and the fact he didn't agree with Birch's lifestyle. This movie is brilliant, you have to watch this!

I've only gotten to see this once over, so far. I love the choice in soundtrack to drive the film; even though editing was a little rough with transitioning. The very beginning sequences from the home movie like imagery to the deathbed were actually my favorite, and after that everything just did come together. Most of the characters lacked conviction; it was like the actors weren't motivated to make those characters real. And too many times, there were moment where certain behaviors were definitely meant as devices to show some frustrated undertone, but it just came across like a snarky aside. Overall, the director definitely has an eye for imagery, but the characters lacked development and the dialogue sometimes drove me up the wall with staleness.

LEATHER is somewhat of a departure for Patrick McGuinn, in that it feels less transgressive and overtly sexual and delves more into the dynamics of broken families and emotional pain. The story involves a successful, ambitious gay man (Andrew) from NYC who drives to a country house where his estranged father has just passed away, and there reunites with a childhood friend (Birch) who has been his father's caregiver. The two find that they can't seem to rekindle a friendship, but they do find anundeniable attraction to each other. Complicating things is a young, immature gay man (Kyle, the main protagonist's bf) who is still trying to figure out who he is and why he relies so much on his BF for his own sense of self. The three find themselves confronting issues that they have repressed and evaded for too long. Here they're thrown into the forced contemplation of rural life, best exemplified by the above-mentioned local, a leatherworker. Local denizens round out the cast and add color and interesting subplots to the story. The script by Greg Chandler is very thoughtful and multi-layered, and the cinematography (16mm) makes the most of the beautiful setting of Upstate NY. A refreshing film about gay life that is rarely treated on screen. Highly recommended!