Alex Dimitriades, Alex Papps, Andrea Mandalis

This bold feature homes in on the confused world of its 19-year-old hero, Ari. Over a 24-hour period he confronts both his sexuality and his Greek background. Uncompromising and dynamic, pic, adapted ...( read more  read more... )from the book LOADED by Christos Tsiolkas, is bound to provoke debate and perhaps even censorship problems, but the filmmaker's honesty and compassion should guarantee solid reviews. Ari is obsessed with sex, and has several sexual encounters during the film's brief time span, most of them gay, through he does make a half-hearted attempt to fulfill the sister of one of his best friends. At the same time, he's facing problems with his traditional Greek parents, who have no clue about his sexual - and drug taking - activities.

Flixster Users

71% liked it

2,021 ratings

Critics

62% liked it

21 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Ana Kokkinos

Release Date: August 13, 1999

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: October 3, 2000

Stats: 140 reviews

Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Your Rating



clear rating
Share on: Facebook Twitter

Flixster Reviews (140)


  • March 28, 2009
    Straight from the off this film begins with a natural, well acted plot, with a good role played by Alex Dimitriades. The realisticness of the film, does make it feel a little slow moving, but remains an enjoyable watch throughout.

    In his duel cultural background, the charact...( read more)er struggles to please his family and struggles to hide his sexuality of which he, himself finds is also finding hard to accept. Drug fuelled binges provides him with escapism, whilst denying himself the one thing that could make him happy.
  • June 2, 2007
    Often depressing, but original screenplay. Most notable in pop culture as the film where you can see Alex Dimitriades erect penis.
  • July 8, 2009
    A greek mans struggle with his culture clashing with his sexuality. Very hard hitting.
  • January 23, 2009
    No thankyou - Not interested
  • August 2, 2008
    One of the most depressing but gripping 'struggle in the closet' films I have ever seen, with a fantastic, charismatic and emotive performance from anti-hero Alex Dimitriades (who, judging from his IMDB page, needs to get a better agent). It's a niche subject perhaps, which is th...( read more)en squeezed into another minority - a traditional Greek family - but it's expertly written and played and actually has broad appeal. Ari's downward spiral (he starts close to the gutter and disappears into it by the time of the slightly rushed, bleaker than bleak ending) is gripping and entirely believable, the Aussie streets have a grimy/murky, hellish feel and some of the lines cross the boundaries of sexy/disturbing/distressing ("don't spill it"). Kinetic direction and a brilliant (and now nostalgic) soundtrack both ground and enhance a very good film. Pity about the off-putting poster art.
  • July 10, 2008
    WHEW! Here's a film that's as hot as it is gritty as it is darkly funny. A cautionary tale to any gay man who falls for the aloof, troubled kind of guy and tries to change him. The moral of the story is: People don't change, they are who and what they are, period. But what a ride...( read more) it is along the way. Fantastic performances by Alex Dimitriades and Paul Capsis, one tends to love their characters in spite of the fact that they hate themselves. Visually superb and dripping of raw sexuality, not for those who recoil in disgust from gay sex and drugs. My advice? get over yourself and experience gay angst in all it's realistic depravity.
  • May 8, 2008
    its a great movie raw sexy and real i loved it
  • July 29, 2007
    The Book was better.

Critic Reviews


Comments


This board looks lonely. Be the first to talk about "Head On" !

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

More Like This


Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Brokeback Mountain
    Brokeback Mountain (43%)
  • Princesa
    Princesa (0%)
  • O Fantasma
    O Fantasma (100%)

Facts


No facts approved yet. Be the first

Head On : Watch Free on TV


Head On Trivia


  • How did Sandra Bullock attain the scar on her head?  Answer »
  • In which movie did Kirsten Dunst play head Cheerleader???  Answer »
  • Why did Danny have to drive during the race on Thunder Road instead of Kenickie in Grease?  Answer »
  • What was originally suppose to be hit as a puck at the end on "Nightmare Before Christmas"?  Answer »

Movie Quizzes


No quizzes for Head On. Want to create one?

Recent News


No recent headlines. Got one?

Most Popular Skin


No skins yet. Interested in creating one?