Dir. David Oliveras. US, 2008. 114 min.

With its tale of a slightly effeminate gay teen falling in love with his jock classmate, Watercolors could be an episode of Glee, sans musical numbers, but a shock twist towards the end lifts this gay movie above gentle, bittersweet melodrama.

Danny (played by Tye Olson) is an artistic school kid with a recovering alcoholic mom and a best friend called Andy (Ellie Araiza) to confide in. Fate drops new-kid-on-the-block and champion swimmer Carter (Kyle Clare) into Danny’s bedroom for one weekend while Carter’s father (and AA buddy to Danny’s mom) is out of town and this unlikely pairing grows closer as they start to see past the preconceptions they have for one another.

The friendship proves beneficial to both boys with Carter posing nude for Danny and inspiring his painting in the process, while carter gets help with his English essay in return. Danny’s best friend is sceptical about this blossoming relationship, but when Carter swaps sleeping on the floor for sleeping in Danny’s bed, their sexual feelings start to awaken.

This is really a film about relationships, not just between Danny and Carter (Olson and Clare both excellent in their roles), but also between Danny and his art teacher (played by Karen Black), who sees straight to his soul and is the kind of nurturing figure we all wish we had growing up, and between Carter and his struggling, unsupportive father.

The moments between Danny and his mom are also very honest and tender – the film has a great coming out scene. The central love affair (which alludes to Romeo and Juliet through their English Lit studies) is a compelling and unpredictable one and while their getting together might seem a tad easy at first (scenes of hand-holding in the park are far-fetched for these closeted lovers), we’re soon reminded of the harshness of growing up gay with a schoolyard beating.

The movie doesn’t always get it right: occasional bursts of arty abstraction are more confusing than anything else (in particular an indoor rain pour during their first sexual encounter) and Danny’s fun, sassy friend disappears half-way through the film.

Ultimately Watercolors is a ride worth going on and you might be surprised by the ending to this story of first love which captures some of those desperate, dangerous, exciting feelings.

Watercolors is available now on DVD in US and from 30 Aug in UK.