Watch Vacationland

Vacationland is a 2006 independent film that explores themes of love, loss, and identity. The film is directed by Todd Verow and stars Brad Hallowell as Joe, a young man who returns to his hometown in Maine after a failed attempt to make it as an actor in New York City. Along the way, he reconnects with old friends and lovers, confronts painful memories from his past, and begins to reinvent himself in unexpected ways.

The movie opens with Joe catching the last bus out of New York City, his dreams of success shattered by a brutal industry that has chewed him up and spit him out. He arrives in his hometown of Bangor, Maine, where he crashes on the couch of his childhood friend David (played by Gregory J. Lucas). David is a straight-talking, hard-drinking guy with a heart of gold, the kind of friend who will always have your back, no matter what.

Joe soon finds himself reconnecting with other old friends, including a former flame named Jen (played by Hilary Mann) and a wild party boy named Kevin (played by Kevin Neil). As he spends more time with these familiar faces, Joe begins to realize just how much he has changed since leaving Maine. He's more jaded, more world-weary, and less sure of himself than he was before.

Despite the warm welcome he receives from his friends, Joe can't shake the feeling of being stuck in a rut. He's working a dead-end job at a local convenience store and feeling the weight of his past mistakes. On top of that, he's struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, which has always been a source of confusion and shame for him.

As the movie progresses, Joe begins to explore his sexuality more openly, experimenting with men and coming to terms with his feelings. He starts to take risks and push his boundaries, trying things he never thought he would, like performing in a drag show and hooking up with a stranger from a gay bar. Through these experiences, Joe begins to let go of his fear and embrace his true self.

But as Joe reclaims his identity and starts to find his place in the world, he also discovers that some of his old wounds are still raw. He confronts painful memories from his past, including his father's suicide and his own struggles with mental illness. These moments force him to confront his demons head-on, and to face the fact that he can't always escape his past.

Despite these struggles, however, Joe ultimately finds his way through the darkness. He begins to build a new life for himself in Maine, one that's more authentic and grounded in his true self. By the end of the movie, he's still far from perfect, but he's come a long way from the lost and confused young man who first arrived in Bangor.

Overall, Vacationland is a poignant and powerful film that explores the complexities of love, identity, and self-discovery. It's a gripping story that's full of heart and soul, and it's sure to resonate with anyone who's ever struggled to find their place in the world. With its authentic performances and realistic depictions of small-town life, Vacationland is a must-see movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Vacationland is a 2005 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.0 and a MetaScore of 30.