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Ranked #19,119
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Be Real profiles six individuals who have achieved greatness in their communities and their lives. Each profile is a portrait of an individual living his or her life in an authentic way and having an impact on others -- family, friends, neighbors, employees, clients and strangers, both in their local GLBT communities and society as a whole. Each segment of the film illustrates the challenges and the fulfillment of 'being real'.
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What separates "Be Real" from the countless arrogant and self-gratifying documentaries constantly airing on Logo! is that feeling of legitimacy and sincerity. These are real people. These are real lives. Some are about coming to grips with sexuality, some are about homosexuals trying to make societal changes, and some are about having others accept you for who you are, regardless of your orientation. "Be Real" profiles six individuals who have achieved greatness in their communities and their lives. Each profile is a portrait of an individual living his or her life in an authentic way and having an impact on others -- family, friends, neighbors, employees, clients and strangers, both in their local GLBT communities and society as a whole. Each segment of the film illustrates the challenges and the fulfillment of 'being real'.
First we meet Trae, who was raised in a privileged background, of excellent breeding. His story is really the least affective of the six, but worthwhile nevertheless. He comes out to his parents, they accept him for who he is, and he eventually takes over the family Cadillac dealership and drives it towards new pinnacles of achievement. Red, who describes herself as a lesbian with gender fluidity, is studying at the University of Chicago and produced popular burlesque shows that gives transgender people all over hope and fulfillment. His mother is so accepting this she assists with the production of the shows. Oraia lives in Brooklyn, New York, and is outraged at a string of attacks targeting women in her community. She and her partner form "Right Rides", a cab service that gives women sage passage home. Ross grew up in the uber conservative Virginia, where he attended Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. We meet him living in San Francisco, making a huge difference in the gay community and never looking back. Mignon is the first African American sociology professor at Columbia University and she is trying to bring attention the smallest of minorities through research. And, finally, David owns and operates his own gym, overcame colon cancer, and now produced "It's A Wonderful Life" style gay musicals that teach gays everywhere to have hope and faith and courage to stay the course through the most difficult of times.
In terms of accomplishing its goals as a documentary, "Be Real" is lacking in several areas. The material is just not hard hitting enough. It doesn't examine, very deeply, what has made these people who they are, and what drives them to do what they do. The film is also only able to give us brief glimpses into the lives of these people -- by the time the segments have concluded, we are just getting interested and ready for more. Each of these six individuals seems to have enough material to fill an entire documentary on their own. As a documentary, "Be Real" is only mediocre in that it doesn't really do as much as it could have to further the cause in cherishes, and it doesn't give us as much insight into these lives as we want. Alas, the emotional resonance is certainly there, especially with David, whom is the most compelling of the six, by far. We see him as a man of great strength and great courage and the desire to really create positive change throughout the world. In conclusion, wait for "Be Real" to hit Logo! some time soon and then give it a try. It should give you a little to think about.
6.5/10.
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