Tone

This is not California, this is Goddamn Texas! FLAGS is a film of dichotomies.  Set in the present day suburbs of Houston, Texas, where rednecks and people of color are neighbors.  Contrasting religious views, cultural differences, and the red, white, and blue clashes with rainbows.  A state that is home to one of the country's largest LGBTQ+ populations, but drag queens are under attack. BBQ joints, the Houston Astros, and a big-ass Texas flag establish a sense of place. FLAGS manages to poke fun at ignorance while embracing scared parents as bigoted beliefs are dismantled one by one. This film is approachable for terrified parents but is not going to cut them any slack because their kids are counting on them. If Comedy comes from pain, there is an abundance of both in this film. 

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FLAGS gets its comedy from truthful reactions of parents fighting their fears to embrace their kids, but is grounded in the heartbreaking moments of the pain they cause. A queer-themed gym provides the support group's location for the parents to be fish out of water filled with humorous situations, contrasting with the blue collar world of a plumbing supply company. A high school allows us to experience how these teens get both support and shit from their peers and a sports bar is a place where  love for the Houston Astros melds people with regardless of their ideologies. 

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