Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The Sensei (2008) Written and Directed by Diana Lee Inosanto

"You have the right to defend yourself against hatred, and self hatred!" -Sensei Karen

A preacher and his sister are accosted by a group of punks, intent on robbing them, and worst.  Suddenly, when everything seems the bleakest, a lone figure intervenes, and kicks some serious punk booty.  Grateful, the preacher asks his hero where he learned to fight....cue flashback.

It is a small town, in the early 1980's.  Life is sort of slow and laid back, most of the time.  It is into this scene walks Karen O'Neil (Diana Lee Inosanto), prodigal daughter of the local Martial Arts dynasty.  Her family is a pillar of the church, and three of her brothers run the dojo. 

McClain Evans (Michael O'Laskey II) has tried to join the dojo, without success.  You can guess his motivation, and why it fails; McClain Evans is gay, in a small town, in the early 80's.  McLain is bullied by the locals, none more so than the Beard Brothers.  If hatred were bloodlines, the Beards would be purebreds.  The younger, Craig (Jonathan Camp) and his buddies severely beat McClain, hospitalizing him.  Momma Evans (Gina Scalzi) goes to Karen, and asks her to give her son lessons in self defense.

It is the start of a beautiful relationship; and while McLain learns the art of self defense, we learn about Karen, how she was passed over for her black belt five years before, because she was a woman.  Worse, she was punished for being angry about it; it seems that brings shame upon the family.

McLain has to go back to school with Craig Beard, and his cronies; the hearing is in a couple of months, and until then, they are to ignore each other.  Can you imagine having to go to school with someone who brutalized you?  Can you guess which one of them can't keep the peace?  Can you guess who wins this time?

In some ways, it is very predictable, with the same comforting familiarity of Karate Kid, with Karen as Mr. Myagi in drag.  But in others, it is surprisingly deep.  The backlash against the dojo, and by the church, where brother Gary (Michael Hake) is fired as youth minister, surprise, and alarm the O'Neils.  As bi racial, they have dealt with prejudice, but this is a whole new level.  Further, they are forced to deal with their own prejudices; after all, Brother Simon (Tim Lounibos) told McLain they were full because he worried what other people would say if he had a homo in his dojo, and Karen, as skilled as any of her brothers, was passed over for a black belt because of her gender.

This movie is simple; it does not feature big names, and big budgets; the cinematography is a little rough around the edges, the dialogue could use a bit of polish.  And yet, it has a simple power that flows from the screen and a perfect message for our times, as we become more aware of the suicide of so many gay and lesbian teens due to bullying.  It is a simple message, about acceptance, and empowerment, and paying your debts forward.  If you are concerned about this issue, I urge you to watch The Sensei.

This review, like the Beard Brothers, is Lean-N-Mean, and entered in sleeper54's Write Off.  It weighs in at 569 words.

Gay Movies:

La Mission***Burnt Money***8: The Mormon Propo$ition***In The Flesh***The Sensei***The 24th Day***Wrangler: Anatomy of an Icon***ZMD: Zombies of Mass Destruction***East Side Story***Dorian Blues***Creatures From the Pink Lagoon***Satyricon***Ice Men***Richard O'Briens Rocky Horror Tribute Show***Prom Queen***The Kids are All Right***Between Love and Goodbye***The Mudge Boy***That Man: Peter Berlin***A Single Man***Almost Normal***Outing Riley***Outrage!***Law of Desire***Love is the Devil***Cowboy Junction***Horror in the Wind***Bedrooms and Hallways***Cut Sleeve Boys***Big Eden***For A Lost Soldier***Midnight Cowboy***Redwoods***The Massuer***Boy Culture***Breakfast With Scot***The Fluffer***Flesh***Little Ashes***L.I.E. ***Dorian Gray***9 Dead Gay Guys***Shank***I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry***Beautiful Boxer***Bangkok Love Story***Schoolboy Crush***Shelter***Back Soon***Dog Tags***Theft***The Mulligans***The Velvet Goldmine***Swashbuckler***Smoke Signals
***C'Thulhu***Milk***The Picture of Dorian Gray***Brideshead Revisited***Notes on a Scandal***RocknRolla***Mamma Mia!
***Priscillia: Queen of the Desert***The History Boys***Brokeback Mountain***The Broken Hearts Club*** Yaji and Kita: Midnight Pilgrims ***Surge of Power ***In & Out ***Mambo Italiano ***Touch of Pink ***To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar ***Wolves of Kromer ***Rocky Horror Picture Show ***Taboo ***Deathtrap 


Gay Themed Series:

Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Dante's Cove
Hex
Carnivale Season One
Carnivale Season Two
Rome Season One
Rome Season Two
True Blood
True Blood: Season Two
The Book of Daniel: The Complete Series
Torchwood: Children of Earth
Torchwood: Season One


Gay Animation:

Pirate's Booty***Sensitive Pornograph***Loveless: The Complete Series***Loveless: Hope on the Run***Loveless: Soul of Chains***Loveless: Lost and Found***Embracing Love: A Cicada in Winter***Embracing Love: Cherished Spring ***Stonewall & Riot***Drawn Together Movie: The Movie***Drawn Together: Season 2***Drawn Together: Season 3

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older