Brisbane Queer Film Festival, Powerhouse, Saturday 16th April 2011

Review by Peter Gray

To say that body image is a serious issue in the gay community isn't exactly a shocking revelation, even less so that a finely-sculpted physique pays dividends amongst the crowd. In Christopher Hines' documentary 'The Adonis Factor', the pursuit of physical perfection is explored, and a series of well-built men, both the everyday man and industry professionals, give their insight as to why it seems so necessary to achieve this particular image. There are a great deal of interesting subjects raised in 'The Adonis Factor', but it's unfortunate that they are either touched on lightly or suggested before being discarded. The circuit party circle seems to have a massive divide when it comes to race, yet it seems barely addressed when an African-American is being interviewed; and the opportunity to probe a plastic surgeon in serious depth about the dangers of surgery and the subsequent psychological issues patients could potentially face is wasted, resorting instead to stating the obvious - that men turn to cosmetics to enhance themselves. It is refreshing to note that some of the interviewees don't fall into the muscle-bound category; a young group of skinny gay men purging themselves to stay thin and an androgynous model who admits to being rejected by the community to be specific. They end up being the most interesting to listen to. On a voyeuristic level, it is a treat to watch with the amount of buff boys on hand, but ultimately it proves that physical beauty only takes you so far. It's just a shame that much like the subject matter, 'The Adonis Factor' lacks depth and doesn't explore its full potential.