Coming of age movies are a dime a dozen. They follow teens coming to terms with themselves, which often includes accepting and embracing their sexuality. “Dating Amber” offers a different kind of coming of age story — one in which a lesbian and gay teen help each other to accept themselves and their sexuality.
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The movie follows teens Amber and Eddie as they both struggle with rumors at school that they are gay. Amber comes up with the idea for them to pretend to be a couple for the remainder of the school year, so that they are left alone. Through their time together, they learn to love themselves and strike a deep friendship that neither of them had ever anticipated. It’s a sweet and unexpected take on a commonly-done movie genre.
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The movie has such an authentic feel because it is the deeply personal semi-autobiographical story of writer and director David Freyne‘s (“The Cured“) teenage years. As a young closeted gay man, Freyne didn’t see much in the way of LGTBQ films that he related to. He created “Dating Amber” so that other young people grappling with their sexuality would not feel the same way. “Dating Amber” is meant to be a movie full of hope for kids who feel a little different and are lacking it. It’s a movie about giving people the courage to be who they need to be.
Take a look at the official summary for “Dating Amber:” A closeted gay teen named Eddie and his lesbian counterpart Amber pretend to be a couple to avoid suspicion and fit in at school.
“Dating Amber” stars Fionn O’Shea (who played the total opposite character in “Normal People”), Lola Petticrew (“A Bump Along the Way“), Sharon Horgan (“Game Night“), and Barry Ward (“White Lines“).
“Dating Amber” drops on Digital and Demand on November 13 via Samuel Goldwyn Films Take a look at the trailer below.