Hooked *** (2017, Conor Donnally, Sean Ormond, Terrance Murphy, Katie McClellan) – Classic Movie Review 14,030

Max Emerson’s 2017 film Hooked stars Conor Donnally as an impulsive homeless 18-year old gay hustler with a smart mouth and a heart of gold.

Writer/ director Max Emerson’s 2017 Hooked is an odd film, very interesting, entirely involving, quite challenging, travelling an awkward path, certainly a surprising path, with a weird, none too satisfying ending. There’s no predicting where we’re headed, so that’s always good. It keeps you watching,

Conor Donnally stars as Jack, an impulsive 18-year old hustler with a smart mouth and a heart of gold. He battles through a violent world of reckless johns between New York City and Miami, desperately seeking a better life with his loving boyfriend Tom (Sean Ormond). Older Ken (Terrance Murphy) might be able to help, though he’s married to a younger woman, Jess (Katie McClellan), and has a young child. Matt, who hasn’t come out of the closet, takes Jack from NYC to Miami .

It seems like it’s going to be sexy and shallow, and it starts like that, but then it gets thoughtful and intelligent. Like the hero, it has its shortcomings and downsides, but, overcoming them, it is smart and sassy. Conor Donnally is undoubtedly a charmer, and there’s plenty of him, so that’s a big help. Sean Ormond and Terrance Murphy are both good, and Katie McClellan valiantly tackles a very unsympathetic character.