Love and Death on Long Island

"Love and Death on Long Island", directed in 1997 by Richard Kwietniowski, is a hidden gem that blends drama and comedy in an unconventional way. The story follows John Hurt's character, a British writer named Giles De'Ath, who stumbles into a movie theatre showing a teen rom-com instead of the E.M. Forster's adaptation he intented to watch. Mesmerized by the young actor, Ronnie Bostock, played by Jason Priestley, De'Ath becomes infatuated and embarks on a quest to get closer to his newfound obsession.

John Hurt gives an outstanding performance, and his portrayal of a middle-aged man entranced by, and utterly out of touch with, youth culture, feels both humorous and heartbreakingly earnest. Kwietniowski's finesse is particularly visible in a scene where De'Ath purchases his first ever TV and VCR, just to watch Bostock's filmography. They never explicitly discuss De'Ath’s obsession — which comes off as more tender than creepy, a testament to Hurt’s acting ability.

On the other hand, the movie never fully realizes Ronnie Bostock as a character. It's an understandable, albeit disappointing choice, given the film's focus is squarely on De'Ath. However, for people who are into artsy types of films with a quirky sense of humor, this is a must-watch.