Two potentially mainstream films from the USA brings us to day 13.

Drool is the directorial debut from experienced writer Nancy Kissam. It's the darkest comedy we've had at the festival, and judging by the howling laughter from a packed theatre, it translates well to the naughty British sense of humour. There's also a touch of surreality, not only coming from the farcical plot, but also the ethereal performance from Laura Harring (Mulholland Drive).

More LLGFF highlights after the jump... Two potentially mainstream films from the USA brings us to day 13.

Drool is the directorial debut from experienced writer Nancy Kissam. It's the darkest comedy we've had at the festival, and judging by the howling laughter from a packed theatre, it translates well to the naughty British sense of humour. There's also a touch of surreality, not only coming from the farcical plot, but also the ethereal performance from Laura Harring (Mulholland Drive).

Harring plays Anora, a quiet Southern housewife who has long-suffered abuse from her drunken husband. When vivacious Imogene moves into the neighbourhood, the two women begin a relationship. Caught in the act by her husband, Anora fends off another attack, with a gun.

The film then turns quickly from a domestic abuse drama into an hilarious road movie as the lovers, and two children travel to Savannah, seeking help from Imogene's employer, who has experienced in the...disposal of husbands.

The children are also interesting characters in their own right. The older sister, is disillusioned, angsty and a little slutty. The younger brother is a gay man in waiting, who never lets go of a mangy old doll, and has a growing interest in the make-up that Imogene sells on the road.

Every other line is laugh out loud, except for the times when Kissam bravely takes a turn into the kind of horrific experiences that serious drama finds difficult to deal with, but she achieves with aplomb. Could quite easily sell in mainstream cinema if it is marketed towards Little Miss Sunshine fans.

Dare, a film by Adam Salky, follows the burgeoning sexuality of three teenagers. Alexa is the studious virgin, Ben is an outsider discovering his homosexuality and both of them are attracted to rich pretty boy Johnny, who is so desperate for affection and friendship that he'll take whichever one of them is nearest.

It may sound like the characters are cliched, and to begin with this is the case, but the sexual torment they endure is so realistic that they deepen quite naturally.

Dare began as a short film in 2004, which can be seen on the Boys On Film: American Boy collection of shorts from Peccadillo Pictures. At the time I thought the director had promise, but as a short it was incomplete, so it was clearly a good decision to extend it into this feature.

Again this is a film that could fit comfortably into the slew of teenage rom-coms, but it's persistant ambivalence - particular around the sexuality and fate of Johnny, will undoubtedly confuse some audiences. But as queer cinema it's another good exploration of questioning, taking chances and casting off labels, as all three teens try to figure out who they want to be.