He may seem like any other small-town kid leaving home and heading off for college, but for Tucker Peterson, this common milestone means so much more. Gay men aren’t exactly a dime-a dozen in Weeki Wachee, Florida, so Tucker hopes life at the University of Central Florida will be a better fit. Excited for his newfound freedom, Tucker embraces all that UCF has to offer, including a varied class schedule, new friends, and a job at a nearby drag bar. However, Tucker notices that his collegiate experience doesn’t look the same in his life as it does in the movies. He struggles to fit in with his family, his classmates, and even his oldest friends.
Dreamy and lighthearted, Paint is a more relatable LGBTQ coming-of-age story than most, spanning a momentous freshman year. While Tucker is carefully unpacking the boxes in his dormroom, his family still hasn’t been told that he is gay. When the truth finally comes out, the response is less than supportive and this disappointment shapes Tucker’s choices. A bit formulaic and not as splashy as it could’ve been, the drama is absolutely authentic as this queer young man is only beginning to explore his creative passion. Paint feels organic in its imperfection, particularly with the evolution of Tucker, who shifts from a self-centered and hesitant guy, to a more accepting and more accepted, confident person. Colin Brooks keenly captures a vulnerable period in the life of any young adult, but especially for a gay teen deciding the very direction of his future. Chock full jean shorts and sparkly drag queens, Paint speaks to the hearts of anyone looking for a sense of belonging.
