Mark, Lilly and Jasper have been friends since High School. Now in their twenties, they are reuniting for a fun Halloween night on the town. But there is still some underlining anxiety between Mark and Jasper. Back in High School the two had a sexual encounter, and now that Mark is openly gay and Jasper is set to be married, the tension between the two couldn't be tighter. And when a large crowd of costumed people fails to entertain them, the group goes on a quest to find some ecstasy. The result is an intertwined tale of past and present, coming together to reveal a much desired connection that will never be recognized.
Containing an unusually clever story, a small but brilliant cast and a serene yet serious outlook on life The Lost Coast scores high marks as a film full of real and raw emotions and a life lesson that we can all relate to.
The true highlight to the film is its story. Taking a sexual experience between two people and making one relish in its glory while the other wishes it never happened is nothing new. But add a homosexual layer to the already complicated friendship and you have a story about life, love and everything in between. It is hard to explain why it worked the way it did, but somehow Gabriel Fleming pulled it off.
But that is not all. In fact, though the story is brilliant, I have to commend the actors for bringing such a unique plot line and situation to the screen. Ian Mark McGregor and Lucas Alifano turn in stellar performances as Jasper and Mark respectively. Together the duo brings a tense friendship to the screen, one that has so many 'unspoken' encounters that it is no wonder that they can't function when the other is around. Their delivery is dead on and their interactions with one another and the rest of the cast is perfect. Throw in two great supporting performances by Lindsay Benner (Lily) and Chris Yule (Caleb) and the cast is one and the same, bringing to life a group of friends with a complicated past.
And then there is the approach used by writer/director Gabriel Fleming. Approaching such a subject as this is never easy, yet somehow Fleming was able to handle it perfectly. From his serene approach to such a delicate subject and the way he used shadows and shades of light to interpret mood, it was all there for the viewer to reap and enjoy.
As you can see I was very impressed with The Lost Coast. From its cast to its filmmaker to its plotline, every main component was present, thus allowing the film to reach its highest potential. However, I will say that the film is different and will not please everyone. So approach with no expectations and be prepared to see a film that is character centered and contains a lesson so universal that there is no way that you won't be effected by the story's final outcome.
