Ah thought Ah would love this Brit film called “Endgame”. It hayuz all the elements - “Official Selection” status from the Philly Gay & Lesbian Film Fest, a stunningly handsome boy, and the edgy darkness of a thriller.

“Endgame” stars Daniel Newman (oooo the English accent, the pouty lips, the body of Apollo! Ah’m in LOVE!) as Tom, a rent boy who is kept by the dashingly evil - and vile - George Norris (Mark McGann), a sado-masochistic gangster. Tom is kept in high style in a London flat filled with pop art and a bedroom set up, not only for sex, but also for blackmail with a hidden camera focused on the red silk bedsheets. Tom is being sucked down into a nasty scheme involving drugs, money and protection by Norris’ connection with a crooked gay cop Dunston (John Benfield).

Things turn nasty rather quickly in this fast-paced thriller as we glimpse scenes of Tom being beaten by his boss and sent in to a bar as part of a scheme to rough up the owner. As a way to introduce some sanity into his dark and abusive life, Tom befriends a straight American couple, Max and Nikke (played by Corey Johnson and Toni Barry) downstairs and is invited to dinner at their flat. When Tom returns to his flat, Norris starts a jealous spat with his boy and Norris is killed.

Tom runs to his new-found friends and Ah guess because Max is bored, they decide to help Tom run. Now, Ah hayuv a confession to make … poor Ta hayuz nevah gotten past the point where they run away to the country! At this point the pacing simply dive bombs and the movie becomes a sloooowwww drama versus a thrilling thriller. If y’all know how it ends, please let me know!

2001, 109 min

Country: Great Britain

Studio: TLA Releasing

Cast: Mark McGann, John Benfield, Daniel Newman, Corey Johnson, Toni Barry

Director: Gary Wicks

Screenwriter: Gary Wicks