Glory Boy Days

Running time: 100 mins

The pain and ecstasy of being young glow like ember in Glory Boy Days, one of the most extraordinary debuts at Cinequest.

On the day he turns twenty-one, Lando takes stock of his life so far and looks ahead at what the future holds for him. He may be worried about going to college and standing up to his stepfather, but to his friends finding a good party is the concern of the day. As Paul Encinas?s film unfolds, the dramas of several other characters come gracefully into play: Aces, the Mr. Cool afraid of losing his hipster cred; Lars and Friday, whose romance faces bumpy times; and Chet and Trent, trapped in a dare to challenge the local skinhead bully. With a remarkably assured touch, the film captures the humor, intimacy, and hope of the waning days of youth as the responsibilities of adulthood loom increasingly large. Filmed entirely in and around San Jose with a talented young cast, Glory Boy Days earns comparisons to American Graffiti and Dazed and Confused.

Fernando F. Croce