The Houseboy
The Houseboy

The Houseboy

2007Movie81 minEnglish

Distraught after he overhears his two 30-something lovers talking about finding a new "toy" to replace him, young Ricky looks for love through a series of random sexual encounters while house-sitting for the couple over the Christmas holidays. Meanwhile, he contemplates suicide. But when Ricky meets a compassionate new friend, he may be experiencing the sparks of real love in this compelling and sexy gay drama.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb7.1/10
Director: Mark RiffeyGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

In a privileged society where social standing is everything, a young man from a modest background takes on a job as a houseboy for a wealthy and influential family. As he navigates the complex dynamics of his employers and their guests, he finds himself drawn into a passionate and forbidden romance that challenges the rigid social boundaries of his world. The story explores themes of love, class, and self-discovery against a backdrop of societal expectations.

Critical Reception

The Houseboy received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often praising its sensitive portrayal of forbidden love and its exploration of social class. Some noted its independent film sensibility and heartfelt performances, while others found its pacing occasionally slow or its narrative predictable.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic depiction of a same-sex romance within a restrictive social environment.
  • Appreciated for the strong performances of its lead actors.
  • Some critics found the narrative to be a bit too conventional for its subject matter.

Google audience: Audience reception for 'The Houseboy' is not widely documented on Google's platform, making it difficult to ascertain specific user sentiment.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on location in an actual historic mansion, which helped to enhance the atmosphere of wealth and social hierarchy depicted in the story.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review