A Film By: Christopher Hines
Run Time: 70 minutesThe Adonis Factor attempts to cover the topic of the obsession of body images, how gay men view themselves and how gay men type casts each other in the gay community. Muscle Heads, bears, chubs, twinks, etc.
I first saw the documentary film about a year ago. I had my opinions and have been meaning to write a review about it for some time. Because so much time had pass, I decided to re-watch it, just to see if there was anything I may have forgotten or issues that may have stood out.
Before my re-viewing, I got online to see what some of the critics and other viewers had to say about the documentary. I wanted to know if they shared my initial thoughts.
Interestingly the majority of viewers and critics don’t like the movie. They feel the documentary is a slickly put together film, filled with “Eye Candy”, gay public displays of affection and to many quick snippet interviews from mostly superficial gay men dealing with or not properly dealing with serious (or not serious enough) issues.
They feel the film does not go in depth to really address the pressing concerns affecting the gay community concerning body images, superficial-ness and self development.
Well for the most part I agree but I am not as critical. This is the first documentary I have seen to ever attempt to cover these issues. For that I give this film high praises!
I remember being a chubby teenager and watching Salt N Pepa’s “Whatta Man” music video. I remember the scene on the beach and how they reacted to the sexy men running in speedos. I realized this imagery is what people want. This is what is attractive and sexy. This is what I want my chubby self to look like so people will think I am attractive and sexy. Not realizing at the time, I was just fine how I was. Well of course with many awkward young homosexual boys and men who may not have a high sense of self worth or self esteem, these images along with the quest for the perfect male body can have lasting negative impacts.
The Adonis Factor brings these issues to the forefront with candid conversation with its subjects. There are nuggets of self evaluation, self development and inspiration with commentary from doctors and therapists. I did get a sense that there was not a “resolution” by the time the documentary ends; however for me the film’s short comings are not important because it is a great starting point to discuss and further the film’s topics of conversation.
You or gay men you know will be able to identify and relate with something in this film. At only 70 minutes in length, this documentary is perfect to watch with a group of your friends which will definitely get the thought provoking conversations started.
I give kudos to the writer, director and producer Christopher Hines. I think this is a good follow up to his first documentary “The Butch Factor”. I am glad someone thought enough of us to at least offer something to get us talking in hopes of healing and making us better.
Thank you for creating something positive to help gay men move forward!
The Adonis Factor is available for streaming on “Netflix”. The trailier is below.
I just watched this, and I have to say I don’t get it, most of the guys they talked to where porn stars, I mean they are big part of the problem and the twinks they talked to represent everything that I hate in the gay community. Maybe they should do one of these about masc black gay men. I think that some of the things spill into our community but the circuit things and the drugs, is that really us?
Well I definitely have to disagree with some of your feedback. Drugs are a big part of “us”. Ecstasy (X), weed, cocaine, poppers are alive and well in black gay clubs. Also why do you feel porn stars are apart of the problem?…meaning that if a person is fit or looks a certain way and gets paid for it…what “problem” are they causing.
I watched the film and everyone featured looked single to me. And what is there to hate about the twinks? They were only working toward a body image that they see thrown at them through the media as well. Bears were also featured – some men who are very masculine happen to be fat and people like that. I think we just have to realize our “preferences” in ourselves and others, and ask ourselves “why”.