According to wackadoodle preacher, and ex-gay, Pastor Royer (David Koechner), in co-directors Colby Holt & Sam Probst’s “Ganymede” (VMI Worldwide), a Ganymede is an unrepentant homosexual.
As is so often the case in the world of religious fanaticism, the word doesn’t appear in the New Testament, and has its roots in Greek mythology. But that doesn’t stop Royer, or the equally crazy parents of high school senior and wrestling star Lee (out actor Jordan Doww), put-upon Floy (Robyn Lively), and power-hungry county commissioner Big Lee (Joe Chrest), from putting the tormented teen through hell.
“Ganymede” opens with a brutal suicide, when an unidentified man, with a chain around his waist attached to two cinder blocks, steps off a dock into a lake and drowns. The man is later identified as Neal (Pete Zias), the gay, older brother of Floy.
For the most part, Lee’s classmate Kyle (Pablo Castelblanco), who is out at school, has a better life. His mother Kim (Sofia Yepes), a nurse, completely and unconditionally accepts Kyle. His best friend Bree (Marissa Reyes) is also supportive of Kyle. The same holds true for guidance counselor Ms. Kimpton (Anna T. Schlegel).
Kyle, who is attracted to Lee, signs up to do litter pickup, as part of his school’s community service requirement, because it’s also something Lee does. When Kyle and Lee are confronted by school bullies Bobby (Deaton Gabbard) and closet-case Justin (Brady Gentry), while picking trash in a park, Lee defends Kyle, even going so far as to break Justin’s nose.
But this kind of school bullying is nothing compared to what Lee endures at home. Big Lee, who wields his title in town like a weapon, is a religious zealot. He has manipulated Floy, who is at his mercy, into thinking that her late brother Neal’s homosexuality is in her bloodline and that she may have passed it on to Lee. Meanwhile, Big Lee has his own secret, which is revealed late in the movie.
As it turns out, Lee shares Kyle’s feelings of attraction. Unfortunately, because of his restrictive upbringing, Lee is constantly struggling with what can only be described as inner demons that occasionally manifest themselves in the (rotting) flesh.
Ultimately, what sets “Ganymede” apart from other movies about queer teens coming out in religiously conservative households and the dreadfulness of conversion therapy (including ECT) is the way the screenplay, written by Holt, interweaves elements of horror, which are often presented as Lee’s psychosis. These scenes can be distracting at first, but they eventually begin to stand out less.
Without giving away too much, “Ganymede” does reward viewers with a happy ending. However, getting there does take some patience. Fortunately, Doww and Castelblanco make it worthwhile.
Rating: B
