I simply could not accept teen-age Sebastian as a character. He seems to be devoid of all thought. His gaze is empty, without sentience, his doe eyes having a continual expression of a deer caught in the headlights. "I've thought about it, and I'm sure you have very good reasons," he informs his trans-sexual stepfather Hank in the end, after many tribulations and conflicts, but what leads to those heartfelt words? Why is Sebastian saying this after spending the entire movie keeping a safe distance from Hank? Where's the evidence of mentation, of actual thought? Perhaps this is the director's perception of teens - but not mine. I've known divorce, dissolute parents and step-parents, a lot of moving, but I've never felt like Sebastian nor seen anybody even remotely like him.

I cannot understand the movie's reluctance to focus on any worthwhile character. We see Sebastian's friends oggling girls through binoculars, talking crudely and pejoratively about Hank's decision, driving aimlessly around the countryside... now, I've never been to Dutchess County, so perhaps it is true tht there is indeed nohing of interest there; however, I'm sure there are ROADS that lead OUT of it, to places that are more interesting. Watching caricatures in dead-end situations is torture.

There are beginnings of a better movie hiding within the dregs. "The Adventures" could have focused more on Hank/Henrietta, who is an exquisitely promising character, touching, caring, thought-provoking, and wonderfully acted. Sadly, we are offered frustratingly little insight into Hank's thoughts and motivations.

This film is glum and depressing; worse, it offers no escape from that depression, no suggestion that there can be better times and places. Could've been better, but alas.