Watch Dear Pillow

Dear Pillow is a coming-of-age drama directed by Bryan Poyser and released in 2004. The movie focuses on the character of Wes (Rusty Kelley), a young man in his early twenties who is struggling to find his place in life. The movie is set in Austin, Texas, and explores themes of sexuality, identity, masculinity, and relationships. The film opens with Wes arriving at the house of his new employer, Dusty (Gary Chason), a middle-aged writer of pornographic stories. Wes is hired by Dusty to type up his manuscripts, and the two quickly develop a friendship. Dusty is a mentor figure for Wes, offering him advice about life and relationships. Wes soon becomes interested in Dusty's writing, and the two begin to explore their sexual desires together.

As Wes spends more time with Dusty, he starts to question his own sexuality and masculinity. He begins to explore his attraction to Dusty and his own desires, which causes tension in his relationships with his girlfriend, Jill (Viviane Vives), and his best friend, Eric (Jacob Vaughan). Throughout the movie, Wes struggles to come to terms with his own identity, as he tries to fit into societal expectations of what it means to be a man.

One of the strengths of Dear Pillow is its exploration of complex and layered characters. Wes is a character who is full of contradictions - he is both sensitive and callous, insecure and arrogant. Similarly, Dusty is not just a one-dimensional character, but a man who is grappling with his own sexuality and loneliness. The relationship between Wes and Dusty is not portrayed as just a simple erotic cliché, but a nuanced exploration of desire, connection, and intimacy.

Another aspect of the movie that stands out is its setting. The movie is set in Austin, Texas, and the city itself becomes a character in the story. There are many shots of the city's architecture, nightlife, and landscapes, which provide a sense of place and atmosphere. The city's bohemian and liberal culture plays a part in the movie's exploration of sexual and personal freedom.

The movie's pacing is slow and methodical, which allows the characters and themes to unfold in a natural and believable way. The cinematography is simple but effective, with natural lighting and muted colors. The movie's soundtrack consists of mostly indie rock and country music, which adds to the movie's sense of place.

However, Dear Pillow is not without its flaws. At times, the movie's exploration of sexuality and masculinity can feel heavy-handed and melodramatic. The movie's representation of female characters is also lacking, with both Jill and Dusty's ex-wife being portrayed as little more than sexual objects.

In conclusion, Dear Pillow is a thought-provoking and nuanced movie that explores complex themes with a sense of empathy and authenticity. The movie's setting and characters are well-realized, and the story unfolds in a natural and believable way. While the movie's representation of women and aspects of its exploration of sexuality can be problematic, it is still worth watching for its earnest and sincere efforts to explore identity, masculinity, and relationships.