 Cheri
RosenbergReviews the films "The Journey of Jared Price"
"The Trip" & Ronald L. Donaghe's book of essays
Letters in Search of Love |
 The Trip is a must see movie
and a must own DVD not only for its powerful political agenda, with
actual footage from 1973-1987, but for its captivating love story,
incredible cast, authentic setting, and sometimes outrageous plot. It
will make you laugh and make you cry but most of all it will warm your
heart to see the main character, Alan Oakley (Larry Sullivan), come
full circle to become an out and proud gay man. He is transformed from
a professed straight, Republican, homophobic writer of a best seller, The Straight Truth, in a
politically anti-gay climate to become a gay rights activist for Out Loud Magazine. It is Alan
Oakley’s journey that is so moving, watching his evolution by paying
tribute to his first and only love, Tommy (Steve Braun).Alan and Tommy are two opposites who meet by chance and, against all odds, fall in love. Tommy is a strong gay activist fighting diligently for gay rights and equality, but he falls in love with Alan…a real closet case. It is through Tommy’s love that Alan comes to terms with, and accepts, his sexual orientation. Larry Sullivan and Steve Braun are perfectly cast as Alan and Tommy, and it is fun to see the changes in hairstyles and clothing from the fashions of the early seventies to the mid eighties. The musical score is well chosen and evokes memories of the past, including the heated climate in the early days of the gay revolution. It is worth watching this film to see actual footage of Anita Bryant having a “fruit” pie thrown in her face—they believe it was banana. There is plenty of comic relief amid the protests, pride parades, presidential administrations from Nixon to Reagan, to the AIDS crisis which brought the gay community together to fight for their lives. There are amazing performances by Alexis Arquette, as the fey Michael, and Sirena Irwin, as Beverly, the ditzy, zany, valley girl, chanting guru, home video exercise entrepreneur, ex-girlfriend of Alan’s, who changes personas as the years progress. Beverly and Michael are Alan and Tommy’s true friends. Other note-worthy performances are by Alan’s mother, Mary, an ex-showgirl, played by Jill St. John and the Out Loud receptionist, played by Julie Brown. Peter Baxter, played by Ray Baker, is the root of all the problems, and he does a convincing job of making the audience hate him. You must take this trip; it is one you won’t soon forget.
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 This wonderful independent gay film, by 10% Productions,
is beautifully written and directed by Dustin Lance Black. The Journey of Jared Price,
starring Corey Spears as Jared, Steve Tyler as Matthew, Josh Jacobson
as Robert, Rocki Craag as Mrs. Haines, and Bryan Shyne as Andrew is
very well cast. This film has a documentary, home movie kind of feel,
which makes the story even more believable. Other note-worthy
performances are by Gillian Harris, who plays Kate, Matthew’s secretary
and conscience and Jared Lee Webster, as Javier, Jared’s indifferent,
hustler roommate at the hostel. The
Journey of Jared Price is a coming of age story -- the
pilgrimage of nineteen year old, Jared Price, who ventures from his
birthplace in Georgia, to learn about the world outside his hometown.
The journey begins in southern California, where Jared ends up at a
youth hostel in Los Angeles, and soon after finds a job as the
caretaker for Mrs. Haines, a wealthy, elderly woman who is blind. Mrs.
Haines takes a real liking to Jared and she becomes almost like a
mother to him, especially since his own mother abandoned him and his
father years ago. Jared acts like a better son to Mrs. Haines than her
own son, Matthew. Jared is a naïve, sweet, polite, Southern boy who grows up quickly in the youth hostel; first by having a male prostitute, Javier, as a roommate, second, by having his sexual appetite awakened and tested by Robert, who lives down the hall, and would like Jared to be his boyfriend. Jared hasn’t accepted the fact that he is gay, therefore, not comfortable with the idea of having a boyfriend. Jared is then seduced by an older man, who happens to be his employer’s son, Matthew. Matthew teaches him the fine art of gay sex and at first respects him by not pushing him to do things he is not ready for-- – later, he hurts Jared. Mrs. Haines, a likable character, but a bit eccentric, loves Jared and protects him -- even from her own son. She becomes his ally. Jared listens to this lonely woman’s stories and does his job well; there is a mutual respect as they enjoy each other’s company and keep each other safe. Mrs. Haines is happy when Matthew suggests that Jared move in with her so he could help her in the evenings, but she isn’t aware of his ulterior motives, at least not in the beginning. She may be blind but she hears very well and is not dumb! Matthew is the perfect antagonist. He is a villain -- but not without a heart. His only redeeming virtue is that he made Jared’s first sexual experience with a man a nice, tender, and memorable moment. The reader sees there is some good in this man, but only for a fleeting moment -- we know he is cheating on his lover by having sex with this young man. Matthew is a sexually unfulfilled man and he jeopardizes his relationship with his partner, Andrew, just for the excitement of cheating. You feel more sorrow and anger, rather than hatred, for this character because he hurts Jared and Andrew. Andrew, as Matthew’s understanding lover, puts up with his quirks, because he loves Matthew and wants him to be happy. The love scene between Matthew and Andrew would make anyone wonder why Andrew is not enough for Matthew, and why he looks outside their relationship for excitement. The viewer can’t help but love Jared -- we want to protect him. We root for him to find true happiness. Robert is a nice person and you want him to end up with Jared since they would make a good couple, certainly more appropriate than Jared and Matthew. I recommend this movie, not only for the sex scenes, but because it’s a “feel good” story with an abundance of moral lessons that leaves you feeling refreshed. I give this movie five stars. Rent it or buy it today. |
 Letters in Search of Love and Other Essays
by Ronald L. Donaghe is a wonderful collection of essays that are
filled with love, hope, despair, some anger, adventure, realizations,
relationships, and the importance of a family’s love and support. It
may be a thin book to the naked eye, but it is substantial in content,
wit, wisdom, and humor. This small book is so full of what life is all
about, what is really important, that you are happy to be along for the
ride, picking up bits of advice that may apply to your own life.Donaghe takes us on an adventure from the depths of despair, over the breakup of a fourteen year relationship with a man he thought he would spend the rest of his life with, to the renewal of hope that time, experience, strong family ties, and connections with other people--even strangers, brings. Letters in Search of Love is an open and honest account of a young man’s feelings and experiences during a difficult time in his life. This true story makes the reader feel privileged to be allowed into the private mind of the writer while coming to the realization that we are not as unique as we thought. We often share the same feelings, emotions, and thoughts, and, because of this, we need each other and have a strong connection to one another. In response to the pain, sorrow, and possibly even depression, Donaghe posts a letter in a rural gay magazine, RFD, in hopes of finding love or at least to connect with other people in similar circumstances. The responses he receives all help him through his healing and he summarizes some of them from the most poignant to the most absurd. Most importantly he shows that it is through human contact that one can heal the soul, and be able to move on, and hopefully find love again. I believe everything happens for a reason and when one door closes another door opens. It may be cliché but my own life experiences have taught me this lesson. Ron Donaghe can attest to this as well; he wrote about the time of his breakup with his lover as being the darkest time in his life, but, it was also the best period of his life and he wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. As an adult, he went back home to live with his parents and to help them because of their failing health--only to be healed himself by their unconditional love and understanding. He does not regret for a moment this dark period in his life since he was able to “rediscover” (his own words) his parents and appreciate all they had unselfishly sacrificed, and had done, for himself and his five siblings. They were excellent role models who helped shape the person Ronald L. Donaghe is today. My favorite essay is, “The Healing Place,” because it is a beautiful tribute to his parents and reveals his roots. Any parent would be proud to call Ron Donaghe their son, and his words and actions are the best tribute they could receive. Donaghe’s essays show a kind and intelligent man, while not wealthy in worldly possessions, is wealthy in what is most important in life; love, caring, compassion, appreciation of nature, and the simple pleasures in life. This is a man whose belief in equality for all human beings regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, is best expressed in his essay, “The Old Man and St. Louis,” when he compares the plight of gays to that of the Negro slaves. It was an excellent analogy, worth reading and thinking about. The essay describes how he was employed by a sick old man as his chauffeur, driving him from New Mexico to Missouri, for his last trip to visit his family. The job would have been great except for the fact that the old man, and particularly his brother-in-law, were extremely small-minded and prejudiced against Blacks. The relatives were so anti-Black that Ron had to wonder what they would say if they found out he was gay. They probably hated gays too and anyone else who was different from them. Needless to say, this blatant bigotry ruined the trip for Donaghe. He was relieved when the trip was over, but not before learning a valuable life lesson from it first. This reader wishes he would have told his secret to these narrow-minded people, especially after they got to know him for who he is--not for his sexual orientation. Perhaps then they would have realized how unreasonable prejudice is and hopefully learned form it, however doubtful that may be. It was probably for the best that Donaghe didn’t tell them. Other essays in this book include: “My Sister and I,” about his loving relationship with one of his sisters; “AIDS in Paradise,” about his adventure working on a goat farm where he was able to strip down all the conventions of modern living and get back to the bare bones of nature, gaining both inner and outer strength; and “Deming, New Mexico,” where the reader gets to happily share Donaghe’s joy and excitement of having his first book published, and coming out of the closet to his hometown. Best of all, the people in Deming didn’t make too much of a fuss about his being gay, and they celebrated his book, even if they weren’t thrilled with the gay theme. If it bothered them to know that he is gay, they didn’t let on and he realized he would always have a place to come home to. His parents accepted him, loved him, and were proud of him. Letters in Search of Love just reaffirms my love for the fiction and non-fiction written by one of my favorite authors, Ronald L. Donaghe. His works teach many valuable lessons. Even though Letters in Search of Love is posted on his website and you can read this book without purchasing it, I recommend buying this book at any price. It is worth the money-- and for the most return on your investment, lend it to a friend. |