An intelligent look at paedophilia

I can hardly believe such a non judgemental movie about a highly controversial subject could emerge from America. It’s got less sex than most Hollywood offerings and the little violence isn't gratuitous. It tackles the difficult issue of paedophilia and intergenerational relationships. With a sympathetic approach to a sexually predatory middle-aged man played by Brian Cox. There’s no doubting Cox’s character Big John has sex with teenage boys yet he’s human not a monster. Which makes sense because if paedophiles aren’t charming and seemingly normal surely they couldn’t succeed? This refusal to paint things in B & W is far from the hysteria that usually surrounds the issue, and encourages the viewer to think about what's happening between John and Howie, an almost paternal relationship, each meeting a need in the other that's got nothing to do with sex, though John clearly was grooming Howie for that purpose initially. It’s as much about coming of age as paedophilia. Quietly observed moments like Howie putting on his dead mother’s lipstick, and John shaving the boy, show the real power of a visual medium. A film that doesn't label its characters, with realistic dialogue and excellent performances.