The summer movie lineup has been a downpour of disappointments. Aside from a few rays of sunlight like “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Seabiscuit,” there have not been many movies one could walk away from feeling a sense of satisfaction.
In times like these, the fail-safe has always been independent films. Even if they are not good, we applaud them for their ability to do something with nothing – at least nothing in the sense of budget.
However, this is not true of the independent film “Camp,” released by the Independent Film Channel and opening Aug. 22 at the Drexel East.
“Camp” is about a summer camp full of young actors, singers and dancers. This foundation is buried under the presence of a young heterosexual male, Vlad (Daniel Letterle), a minority among the many young gay males and young anxious women.
Vlad is a singer and guitar player who wants to go to Camp Ovation, which is based on a real summer camp, to be discovered by someone who can help him become a star.
Vlad is promiscuous and very aggressive in his actions. He deems this a curse, which requires him to please everyone.
The movie has a nice story with seemingly good intentions. It just does not have the magic good movies have.
Some of the scenes were supposed to be confrontational and pivotal, inturn they were very soft and disappointing. It is hard to tell if this is a problem with the script or a problem with the acting. It comes across as being both.
The acting in “Camp” was not good. It was similar to watching a cut pilot episode from a would-be morning Nickelodeon show. Nickelodeon is a fine network in its own element, but mix in some wanton sexual tension and a few psychotically devious young women, and you have a formula for disaster.
This was overwhelmingly true in the acting of one of the Camp Ovation adults. Don Dixon played a washed-up, alcoholic playwright Bert Hanley. From his entrance in the film to its end, it seemed as though Dixon was being forced to participate unwillingly in his son’s high school play.
Though there were a few good things about the movie. It had moments of humor as well as moments that touched the heart. But in the end, there were not enough of them.
“Camp” was not entirely without good acting. Robin DeJesus gave a very compelling performance as Michael, the teenage drag queen at odds with his parents. The emotional range he covers is more than worthy of mention as a bright spot among the many smears of gray.
The movie is a musical, which ends up being another of its few redeeming qualities. The songs in the movie range from original songs like “Here’s Where I Stand,” to covers such as the Rolling Stones’ “Wild Horses.”
Musically, the movie did well. The songs were performed and choreographed nicely. They were well written, catchy and suited the pre-Broadway setting.
In the end, the movie was not horrible. However, it is definitely a movie that makes you constantly look down at your watch and wonder how much longer it will last.
