Episode 031: Fit
“Take a look at gay and straight love among the new millennials. Everything from secret crushes to homophobic attitudes are revealed by the rambunctious students taking Drama and Dance from Loris. None of the teens are what they seem at first glance, with gay hearts lurking behind tough exteriors and straight kids expressing themselves in very queer ways.”
This week we are going to be reviewing “Fit”, a 2010 film full of short stories focusing on different relationships amongst a group of millennials. I thought it would be quite interesting to again look at a collection of short films like we have done before, but this time they have an overarching narrative and are all connected to each other rather than just being separate small films with a common theme.
You can either listen to the podcast above, or you can read below for a majority of the transcript of the podcast! Now as always, our discussion will begin with a brief summary of the film followed by spoiler free thoughts and feelings. This will be followed by an in-depth discussion of some of the key plot points that occurred and we will then finish off with my overall rating of the film and a heads up about what we are looking at next time. If you have not had a chance to watch Fit and don’t want to hear any spoilers, then please feel free to skip the detailed section and listen to it afterwards if you so wish.
The structure of the film is quite clever, in that although there is an overarching narrative of the kids learning a dance routine in their class, it is broken down into segments that focus on specific members of the class and what issues they are facing. The stories also flow chronologically, so that developments in a previous story then impact on the upcoming story, and you can get a better appreciation for some characters from earlier stories by having their viewpoints shared. And with the development of the people we are watching, we also see the dance routine they are working on as a group also develop as the story progresses
The six stories each focus on unique stories with queer elements, going from dealing with effeminate straight boys being bullied because they just have to be gay don’t they, to popular girls actually being lesbian but unable to tell anyone due to homophobic parents, to bullies actually lashing out at other people due to their own feelings for people of the same gender. The film really does seek to present a wide spectrum of perspectives in its presentation.
As it is focused on teenagers in London, there is plenty of slang being used (well, probably quite dated slang now!) but it also means that at times there will be slurs and insults used, especially that annoying thing I heard as a young queer that everything is “gay”. So just be prepared to need to roll your eyes at some less than clever insults as well as dig out the old teenager slang cheat sheet.
In terms of representation, it was really interesting to see a variety of sexual identities as well as getting a wide range of ethnicities to appear in the cast as well. It can sometimes be the case that queer films take a focus on white cis-male gays at the expenses of stronger representation for the rest of the community. But this film has made a concise choice to show a wider spectrum of society and it is all handled in a respectful and educational way.
And just a final spoiler free point to mention, one little easter egg does come up during Karmel’s section where her parents are watching a film, it is actually Kickoff by the same director Rikki Beadle Blair as well as most of the same cast as this film!
Final Feelings and Recommendation
I would probably say that this film would be most enjoyed by those who are still discovering their sexuality as a way to help or who don’t mind when films get slightly too educational. For people who have been around a while, you probably know a lot of the points being raised so it can be a little more like being force-fed stories you have lived through but might be a nice reminder of some things.
For the rating, I would give this five out of 10 dance routines. Overall it is a decent film with some important points it shares, but it comes across as a little heavy-handed for where I am in life. So preachy, but good.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Now, just a reminder that at this point, I will be going into a more detailed analysis of the film which means there will be spoilers! If you haven’t managed to watch Happiest Season yet and you don’t want anything spoiled, then this is your last chance to avoid the discussion. Or you can go ahead and close the page, go watch the film and then come back afterwards to finish reading. I promise we won’t mind. Still here? Well then, don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The film kicks off with the new drama teacher arriving at their school and having to interrupt a fight at the school gates, between a father and son no less, all because dad is a dirty homophobe. What a great start to the day at a new school eh. Well, they then lay the gauntlet down in their dance class, telling our motley crew of kids that they can either contribute or fuck off, with some actually choosing to leave. Gotta say, I love this no nonsense attitude in how they are teaching these kids, but I suppose you have to show no fear sometimes with some of the attitudes presented.
Now we are introduced to an …. interesting …. idea. Dancing to Shakespeare. The kids there are all as confused as I am, but I am impressed at how well the final version of the song works by the time we see it at the end of the film. And this moment also leads to a conversation between everyone about what if Shakespeare was gay and even what does it mean when teenagers say “that’s so gay” since it's clearly not meant as a positive remark
And from this framing device set up, we then jump into our first proper story with Lee. We see her as having her own style, dressing more tom-boyish which leads to her brothers teasing her, telling her to be more average and wear her hair down, that girls her age are more concerned about their reputation and looks unlike her. It is an annoying fact that if you don’t fit in with the rest, it does lead to people singling you out and trying to force you to conform, but well done to Lee for staying true to how she wants to present her style.
We also see her trying to meet up with her friend Karmel, but she is clearly being ignored which means the only possible option is to follow her and find out if she is sneaking off with some boy. But it turns out there is no boy, it’s a girl! Duh duh duh!
We get to witness the club sharing stories of how they all knew about their sexuality, and it's really great to see the community supporting each other and being a source of strength that the rest of society isn't providing.
Lee and Karmel talk it out, thank fuck a healthy option was taken, and Lee confirms that she isn't gay but does feel that she is losing her close friend to all her new gay friends. Eventually she agrees to come to a meeting to get to know them and here we get an on the noise delivery listing issues such as:
People reacting badly to individuals coming out,
Inequality between marriage and civil partnerships,
Trying not to look gay or be singled out by peers, and
Not being able to speak to family anymore because they are
From here we then change perspective to follow Karmel, joining her as her parents make a big deal about seeing their daughter in the house since she is always out and asking where she is going but getting no answer. Ah good ole parent humour and avoiding directly answering their questions. As it turns out, this is probably for the best since we quickly find out that they are both quite homophobic, commenting as they watch TV about there being “lesbians in every show now” and a “bender agenda”. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at the fact that over ten years on, the same BS is spouted by the bigots.
Karmel voices the feeling of how as a queer person, there can sometimes be this desire to appear normal or get approval from society, rather than facing homophobia and intolerance. Lee, being the supportive friend that she is, promises to help Karmel find a boyfriend so that she can pass in society. So frustrating that society is set up to exclude people in this way, forcing them to put on fake personas and go through the motions to avoid being attacked and bullied. Like surely people can do better than that, and maybe actually just accept we are all different?!
Before going on the date, Karmel is asking what it’s like with a boy and is actually asked if she has told Kim, the girl she has been making out with about what she is going to be doing. Clearly she hasn’t since Kim spots her on her hetero-date and gets upset, and even Karmel is upset when she gets home. It’s just showing that one, communication is key between people since with some difficult conversations that hurt and upset could be avoided, and two, forcing people to act a certain way just negatively impacts their mental health as they try and be someone they are not. It’s much simpler to accept people for who they are!
We then move into Tegs’ story, starting with them dancing as they are listening to music before this is interrupted by some bullies grabbing his ipod. Again we get such knuckle dragging homophobic slurs and just as Ryan and friends are about to kick about his iPod, others show up and interrupt their BS.
Yet these dickheads can’t leave well enough alone and they later mess with his water bottle, which actually results in Jordan starting a fight with them as he defends his friend. Tegs admits to Jordan that he feels like a freak and has never even kissed someone, and here Jordan makes a move on him, determined to help him find out now. Well then, I suppose that explains why he is such a guard dog for his friend, he actually has a crush on him.
Yet Tegs confirms he doesn’t feel the same way and this results in Jordan unfairly going off on him for this, thinking he has been taken advantage of and has been used as some kind of guard dog. Well mate, nobody asked you to stick to his side now did they, so don’t take out the hurt of the rejection and attack him for being honest with you!
Homophobia gotta homophobia though and so some cunts decide to smash a window at Teg’s house, and he finally decides enough is enough! The next morning, Tegs finds Ryan and decides to flirt with him in an attempt to fight fire with sparkly fire, because if someone is that obsessed with who you sleep with, just maybe there is an alternative reason for it. And as it turns out, this is where we find out that Ryan is indeed into him but freaks out and runs off. So I suppose that helps diffuse how much hate Teg’s gets, or at least it will put it off for a while.
Tegs finds Jordan and both decide to be cool going forward after having had time to cool off. And now that they are friends, we move to follow Jordan and his story. It seems that now that Tegs has a girlfriend, he is a bit of a third wheel and they both want to set him up with a friend. He turns them down but the person shows up and suddenly Jordan’s schedule is free and he is willing to come along after all. Mmm wonder why the sudden change eh…
At some point a football recruiter coms round to his house, offering him an official invite to the Football Youth Squad. Woo hoo! Yet after such a great bit of news, when Jordan mentions that he is studying performing arts at the moment the recruiter comments on how it’s all a bit bent and to watch out for those ballet boys. Urgh, great, more homophobia and just painting groups of people as stereotypes. That obviously puts a chill on much of the joy of receiving an invite to the squad.
As Jordan comes out to his family, his brother gives a cruel reality check by asking if he is still going to be a footballer, answers yes, and if he is going to tell people, answers suppose so, which then elicits an “then you ain’t”. Sadly at the time of the film being made, there were no out footballers, or many other out athletes of various sports. Thankfully now we have more queer role models in various sporting fields, showing that it really shouldn't matter who you are attracted to that determines your physical prowess.
The penultimate character we are to follow is Ryan. As we join him, he is sneaking into the drama class and actually rummages through Tegs’ stuff before finding his phone, and then finding a topless picture of Tegs on there. Now creepily, he decides to send himself a copy of this so he can have a copy on his phone. Ummm, very stalker, does not pass the vibe check!
The rest of dickheads united show up, and to cover his own feelings up, he starts acting like an abusive dick and so all three get wound up and end up trashing Teg’s stuff. They then all run off before we see Ryan coming back to try and clean stuff up after having felt guilty for doing such a thing. Maybe next time just don’t do this and save yourself the hassle son.
But then in walks Tegs and before he can really ask what’s going on, he is told the guys just got out of hand and maybe he should learn to take a joke before Ryan hits him and runs out. Oh yeah, homophobia and trashing people’s stuff, all such a funny little joke. How can someone be so self-centred to think that these things would not have an impact on another person and could just be so easily brushed off as some kind of joke.
Ryan is chatting to a stranger and is confessing to having problems coming to terms with who he is, and he is invited to join a meeting later on to speak to others who may be able to provide some advice on how they realised who they are. Yet it turns out that the other people include Jordan and others from class, and Ryan just cannot deal with being open to people that closely know him yet and so he ends up running away.
Ryan instead goes to hang with his friends where they are drinking at home and playing a stupid game of who is fit, and Ryan rather boldly ends up asking if you were gay who would be fit, which goes down as well as you can imagine. But in all the turmoil of the last few days, and maybe with some alcohol in the system Ryan does realise he has been quite the ass lately and ends up messaging Tegs that he is sorry. Woo, some actual personal growth and taking ownership for his shitty behaviour.
However with this personal growth, we also have a bitter side to things as his own friend attacks him, shouting about how he is a queer. Thankfully the other friend holds him back and advises Ryan to run as they have already seen the topless photo of Teg’s he stole earlier on on his phone. It’s such a shame some of his close friends can’t even accept who he is and react in such a disgusting way. But at least when he gets home his mother comforts him and says she will always love him. At least he has a supportive family structure.
And our final story, Isaac. After finding out his friend is gay, he clearly isn’t responding like much of a friend at all, ignoring Ryan when he appears and then actually deciding to start hitting him during class, causing it to turn into a proper fight. It’s one thing to be a dick to people you don’t know, but to have been friends with someone for years and then turn on them for something like their sexuality, it’s very disappointing to see.
When Isaac gets home we see that his home life is not the best, with his dad yelling at him that he is an animal since he has now been excluded for getting into yet more fights at school and he has had enough, so he kicks him out of the house. It’s potentially showing us that hurt people hurt people, and this could be a reason for why Isaac is such a dick to people, or it could be that after trying to deal with it for so long, even his family has reached the end of what they can manage.
Once he has been dragged out of his house without even a chance to properly grab his shoes, Isaac appears at Lee's house and is actually met with compassion, because she can see that there is no point laying into someone already suffering and struggling to process things. Instead she takes him to the LGBTQ+ group so he can learn more and ask questions, and from this interaction we can see that he is clearly missing his friend, even if he has been the cause of this absence.
The two guys eventually find one another and make a genuine effort to bridge the gap between them, trying to figure things out since really this information shouldn't fundamentally change their friendship, just how they behave with others by cutting out all that homophobic shit they were doing. And with the last story now presented, we get end credits along with the dance that the group was learning being performed as we close out the film.