Feeling Randy

The first word heard in “Feeling Randy” is “boner,” which, when taken together with the film’s title, promises a salacious and raunchy comedy. Set in the Bay Area in the 1970s, “Feeling Randy” offers a humorous and sensitive portrayal of coming to terms with one’s sexuality. Although to be honest, I had a bit of struggle whether or not to classify the film in an LGBTQ+ genre, because audience is given a hint of the protagonists sexuality, but its never really said out loud or even put in your face. But it was the 70s, and it was likely hard for any young bot to admit to even himself that he likes other boys. The film is apparently a semi autobiographical project. The title is a clever play on both the main character’s name and the British slang term for horniness. 

Randy has three close friends and they are all obsessed with losing virgnity and getting laid. It’s this hormonal obsession that drives them to take a road trip to The Kitty Ranch, a low-grade brothel in Nevada. They each have their own trumped-up stories about their personal experiences there on the drive back home. This is the main crux of the story. But we have some parallels going on where we see Riley has to deal with his parents, sister, a new friend at school and a peculiar older boy who stirs perplexing feelings in him. Let’s focus on the older brother of one his friends, who had helped them get a car for the road trip. When Randy’s father has a big blowout at home when he sees Randy putting lipstick, he runs to this older guy’s home hoping to meet friends, but this guy Luke is a heavy pothead and also a sexually enlightened hippie. Next you know is they are both in a hot tub and the guy goes down on Riley. This event kind of awakens the repressed acceptance of his own sexuality for Randy.

The film maker never explicitly announces the character’s sexuality nor makes the film a coming-out story. Instead, this is about a teenage boy whom the audience recognizes as gay but is completely unaware of his true identity. A queer sensibility is paramount in the storytelling as the film’s humor and sensibilities are always unexpected and oscillating between sweet and odd. There is no big coming out message here or story to that, the film maker just wants to gently remind you that everyone’s journey is different, and whether you’re gay or straight, it doesn’t matter how you arrive at self-realization, just as long as you get there. While it doesn’t consistently hit the mark, this is a heartfelt exploration of adolescence and identity. The actor playing the lead fit well as a nerdy and gawky teenager. 2 of hs friends and Luke, the older brother was gorgeous and hot. Luke’s relationship with Randy remains fluid and mostly unexplained, which makes sense in what the director was trying to do here. The color and cinematography add an authentic 1970s look. A story thats funny but also moving. Coming out or coming of age, it’s for you to decide. (6/10)