“A heartbreaking modern romance with lessons in the honest expression of love and sexuality within the masculine role identity of today’s contemporary man.”



Andy Forte (Bart Fletcher), a seemingly free-spirited young man, was drifting through the desert when he fatefully crossed paths with Nate Merritt (Paul Preiss), on leave from boot camp, both being lured to make some quick cash by doing a modeling shoot. Little did they know that the sleazy producer had planned on it being a “Straight Marine’s First Gay Sex” porn shoot.



Bolting out the door, Andy’s offer of a ride begins their journey together, as they share stories, dreams, and influence each other’s lives. Andy doesn’t tell Nate that he is gay and Nate never asks. To further complicate things, Andy has fathered a child in a moment of party drunkenness.



Initially their very real and appropriate bond is purely platonic as they share similar emptiness because of the loss of a father figure.



Andy, the troubled gothic gay guy, becomes a catalyst in Nate’s life, especially during a shower scene when he encourages Nate to decide if he wants to join him without regard to what he has been taught, but in response to what he really wants. It is not about the labels – it’s just simply about how it feels.

Eventually the smoldering chemistry is undeniable, as it sizzles into something sensual, the rough and hard edge of anger making way for the craving of tenderness. It is a shame that the physical intimacy had not been more firmly depicted on film instead of just hinted at.

A stray dog, a picture frame, an abandoned drive-in movie theater screen, and a set of Dog Tags all fit into place in the haunting mystery of who Nate is.



Dog Tags is a heartbreaking love story between two men that can not change each others destinies but they can both chose to be better men than they’d ever hoped or planned to be by wiping their own slates clean.

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