Akron Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two college guys fall in love until they realize their moms were involved in a childhood tragedy, making dating awkward unless everyone just decides to hug it out.

🍿 Akron: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A College Romance Begins

Benny, a freshman at the University of Akron, Ohio, meets Christopher, a fellow student, during a football game. They quickly form a connection and begin a romantic relationship. Their relationship develops with the support of their friends and families.

Deepening Connection and Family Acceptance

As Benny and Christopher’s relationship grows, they spend time together and introduce each other to their families. Both sets of parents are accepting and supportive of their sons’ relationship, portraying a positive and uncommon depiction in some LGBTQ+ films.

The Tragic Revelation

As the young men’s relationship deepens, a devastating truth from the past comes to light. A tragic accident that occurred years ago, involving their mothers, is revealed. This shared history threatens to unravel the foundation of their burgeoning love.

Conflict Arises

The discovery of the accident’s connection to both families creates significant emotional turmoil, particularly for Benny’s mother, whose son was killed in the incident involving Christopher’s mother. The pain and unresolved grief resurface, putting immense pressure on Benny and Christopher’s relationship and their families.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Benny (Matthew Frias): A college freshman who falls deeply in love with Christopher, unaware their families are connected by a past tragedy.
• Christopher (Edmund Donovan): A college freshman who enters a loving relationship with Benny, only to discover his mother was involved in a fatal accident affecting Benny’s family.
• Lenora (Andrea Burns): Benny’s mother who is forced to confront the painful memory of her deceased son when her other son falls for Christopher.
• Carol (Amy da Luz): Christopher’s mother who was driving the car involved in the tragic accident that killed Benny’s brother years prior.
• David (Joseph Melendez): Benny’s father, depicted as supportive of his son’s relationship but challenged by the revelation of the families’ shared tragic history.
• Davey (Luis Gabriel Cañas): Benny’s older brother who died in a childhood accident, creating the central tragic connection between the two families.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Benny or Christopher: “Morning breath.” – A simple, intimate line exchanged between Benny and Christopher, highlighting the comfortable domesticity they quickly find together.
• Benny’s mom: “When did he become old enough to do the things he’s not old enough to do?” – Benny’s mother says this, expressing a parent’s bittersweet reflection on their child growing up and entering into a serious relationship.
• Benny: “For once, why can’t I have what I want?” – Benny says this to his father during an emotional argument, expressing frustration over the past tragedy potentially ruining his happiness with Christopher.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: N/A

💥 Akron Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this expecting another coming-out story, but Akron totally surprised me. It’s really about finding love and then having to deal with seriously heavy family history, which felt really unique. I loved how normal Benny and Christopher’s relationship was treated from the start – their families were just cool with it, which was so refreshing to see on screen. It made the later conflict hit harder because it wasn’t about *them* being gay, but about something completely different from their pasts. The scene where the truth comes out is intense, and watching them and their families grapple with it was emotional. It’s not a perfect movie, maybe a little slow at times, but the core message about love and forgiveness really stuck with me. It made me think about how past events can still impact our present, and how important it is to face them, even when it’s incredibly painful. Definitely worth watching for something different.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of LGBTQ+ romance stories”
  • “Viewers interested in family dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate films about overcoming adversity”
  • “Audiences looking for positive portrayals of gay relationships”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Themes of death and grief related to a past accident”
  • “Scenes of family conflict and emotional distress”

Professional Reviews

• User Review adapted: “Akron presents a refreshing narrative where a young gay couple’s sexuality isn’t the central conflict. Instead, they navigate a difficult family past. While the plot has moments of melodrama and feels a bit contrived, the earnest performances from the leads and supporting cast, particularly the mothers, elevate the material. It’s a heartfelt story about forgiveness and the complexities of relationships beyond identity.
• User Review adapted: “This film attempts to break the mold of typical LGBTQ+ dramas by focusing on familial trauma intersecting with a new romance. The first half, depicting the blossoming relationship and family acceptance, is charming and feels genuinely positive. However, the introduction of the past tragedy leads to some less convincing dramatic beats and dialogue. Despite flaws in pacing and script consistency, the core emotional journey is compelling.

Audience Reactions

Many viewers appreciated seeing a positive portrayal of a gay couple with supportive families.: The film is praised for its focus on themes beyond sexuality, such as family drama and forgiveness, and for the chemistry between the two lead actors.

Overall Consensus: A moving, if sometimes melodramatic, drama focusing on love overcoming a tragic past, notable for its positive depiction of a gay relationship within a supportive family context.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The play that Becca’s character is performing in is ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’, a comedy from 1941 which was adapted into a famous film in 1944.”
• “In one scene following a hot tub session, Benny and his bathing suit appear completely dry, which is a visible goof in the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Akron?

The movie ‘Akron’ was released in 2016. While specific subscription streaming platforms may vary, it is often available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV. Check these services for current availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Akron, you might like these similar films:

• Brokeback Mountain (2005): An iconic and powerful drama about a gay relationship facing significant external and internal conflict, similar to the ‘star-crossed lovers’ theme in Akron.
• Ordinary People (1980): Explores the profound impact of a past family tragedy on present relationships and the challenging process of grief, guilt, and forgiveness.
• Departure (2015): An indie drama focusing on a young man’s romantic relationship intertwined with complex family dynamics and secrets during a summer holiday.
• Happiest Season (2020): Features a modern gay relationship navigating family secrets and expectations during a stressful family gathering, creating external pressure on the couple.
• Latter Days (2003): A cult classic LGBTQ+ film where a relationship between two men is challenged by intense familial, religious, and personal conflicts.

🛒 Akron Related Products

• Akron (DVD or Streaming): Own or stream the compelling film Akron, exploring love and forgiveness against the backdrop of a shared family tragedy. Features the full movie experience for repeat viewing.
• Book: ‘The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma’: While not directly tied to the movie’s plot specifics, this acclaimed book offers deep insights into how individuals process and overcome traumatic experiences, a central theme in Akron.
• University of Akron Zips Apparel: Show your spirit for the University of Akron, the setting where Benny and Christopher’s love story begins. Features official team logos and colors.
• Gay & Lesbian Quarterly (GLQ): A Journal of Lesbian and Gay Studies (Subscription or Back Issues): Explore academic and cultural analysis of LGBTQ+ themes, cinema, and experiences. Delves into the complexities of identity and representation often discussed in relation to films like Akron.

🎧 Soundtrack

Akron features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Benny & Christopher | Gay Romance | Beautiful Beautiful | Akron

Want to dive into the beautiful romance at the heart of Akron? This popular fan edit sets key moments from Benny and Christopher’s relationship to a lovely original song, capturing the film’s emotional core perfectly.

Christopher and Benny | Their Full Story [ Akron ]

Curious about Benny and Christopher’s entire journey in Akron? This fan video takes you through the full arc of their compelling story, letting you relive all the key moments of their relationship.

Family Forbidden Love | Benny & Christopher | Akron |

Ready to see the challenges Benny and Christopher face? This video zeroes in on the ‘family forbidden love’ theme in Akron, showcasing the conflict that tests their powerful connection.

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