When the bullied teen Jason (Bert) accuses his drama teacher Michael (Harner) of abuse, Michael's life starts to dissolve. Openly gay and living in a loving relationship with Daniel (Jackson), Michael is the target of rampant homophobia as everyone assumes he's guilty. But he never did anything beyond trying to help Jason, who's under huge pressure from both his parents (Young and Sage) and the school principal (Blum). And as the public reaction also starts to affect Daniel's catering business, they hire a lawyer (Ormond) to help clear Michael's name.

The film is strikingly made, with a realistic blend of casual humour, warm emotion and dark issue-based drama. And in addition to grappling with some huge themes, the script also explores the seemingly irrelevant aspects of Michael's life, such as a friend (Douglas) dealing with cancer treatment. Watching this couple's happy life unravel is deeply unsettling, and director Williford shoots the film in telling ways that catch tiny details about American society, as everyone quickly judges Michael without any evidence at all.

The judgementalism, support and acceptance demonstrated by the characters, including Michael, is remarkably complex. And the cast plays each scene beautifully as the story takes a series of nightmarish twists. At the centre, the relationship between Michael and Daniel gives the film a resonant core as their 15-year bond is stretched to the breaking point. Even before the scandal, Daniel had followed Michael to the countryside (the "green" of the title) from New York, hoping they might get married.

As Michael's situation escalates, the film teeters on the brink of melodrama. But while some events strain credibility, the characters never tip into simplistic stereotypes. Even the least sympathetic people in this story have moments of insight. And although the plot's resolution comes a bit quickly and simplistically, the climactic series of events is packed with surprises that make the film involving, scary and strongly resonant.

themes, language, violence

8.Mar.12