 Cheri Rosenbergreviews the films, All Over the Guy, Queer as Folk (Season 1), Yossi and Jagger, and both the film and book of Latter Days. Cheri is one of the Independent Gay Writer newsletter's most prolific reviewers. Besides raising a family and working, she is also putting the finishing touches on a novel of her own. Please contact Cheri if you enjoy her reviews... |
 All Over the Guy is a romantic
comedy with enough drama to make it an engrossing film. It is about an
adorable yet nerdy, neurotic, perfectionist, named Eli (Dan
Bucatinsky), and his search for “the one” person to spend the rest of
his life with. It is easy to see why he is high-strung. Eli has
over-protective Jewish parents, who are not only shrinks, but they
psychoanalyze his every feeling.Tom (Richard Ruccolo) is a promiscuous, self-hating, recovering alcoholic, who fears commitment, especially when he likes a person—or worse—the person likes him. He goes back to Alcoholics Anonymous when he falls off the wagon; he claims the trigger as being “all over this guy.” At AA, Tom vows to quit drinking—and guys—because he cannot be trusted with either. Tom was raised by uncaring, bickering, alcoholic parents, who fostered his fear of intimacy. When you meet his parents at their country club you understand why Tom is the way he is. Richard Ruccolo is irresistible as Tom. Jackie (Sasha Alexander) is Tom’s best friend. She meets a guy named Brett (Adam Goldberg), who works at a furniture store, and immediately falls for him. She finds out Brett has a gay friend, Eli, and since she has a gay friend, Tom, she devises a way to get a date with Brett by fixing their two friends up. Jackie and Brett arrange for Eli and Tom to go on a blind date while they cement their own relationship. Eli and Tom’s blind date was awkward and both men decide it was a disaster. Then, they run into one another at a flea market and feelings begin to stir. They have a quick fling, cheapened by Tom claiming it was a mistake. Eli didn’t know what to make of it. Every time Eli thinks Tom is letting him in—Tom backs away because of fear. Tom tells another member of AA the story about his rocky relationship with Eli. The person turns out not to be his ally. Eli meets a receptionist at an STD Testing Clinic, Esther, played by the hilarious Doris Roberts (Everybody Loves Raymond), and tells her the whole story about Tom and him, while waiting to be tested for HIV. Doris Roberts does not disappoint as the yenta (busybody) who gets Eli to open up and share his feelings. Eli’s parents (Andrea Martin and Tony Abatemarco), as liberal therapists, are hysterical. Dr. Wyckoff, Eli’s mother, is the epitome of the smothering, meddling, Jewish mother who drives her son crazy. She gives him neurosis he probably wouldn’t have had, had she not gotten her PhD in order to use her “expertise” on him. Lisa Kudrow plays a perfect airhead, Marie, in a cameo performance, as an actor trying, and barely succeeding, to make a radio commercial. Christina Ricci plays Eli’s sister, Rayna, who is a nice addition to the ensemble. All Over the Guy is about the trials and tribulations of relationships and love. It is a funny, delightful, double date, which is positively yummy. The movie mixes comedy with drama. I have seen All Over the Guy several times and it cracks me up every time. It is such a feel good movie you want to feel good repeatedly. This movie includes an incredible cast, good music, likeable characters, an interesting story line, and a witty screenplay, written by Dan Bucatinsky. These fine elements all come together to make this an incredible movie. |
 Latter Days the book and the movieWould you risk being ex-communicated by your church, shunned by your peers, and turned away by your parents, for the one you love? How desperate would you be if you were denied the freedom to love, to be with the person of your dreams? The one person who makes you feel complete. This is portrayed in the all too familiar story of boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy, and boy has to choose between boy and family. Latter Days the book, written from the screenplay, is a replica of the movie except for a few minor details. C. Jay Cox wrote the screenplay. The book, adapted by T. Fabris, won the Audience Award as the Outstanding First Narrative Feature, Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Aaron Davis (Steve Sandvoss), a 19 year-old Morman, has never been away from home. He is called to serve as a missionary for his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. His assignment is in Hollywood, California where he will spend two years. He makes the pilgrimage from Pocatello, Idaho to California, full of hope and promise that he will make his church and family proud. He studies the Bible and its teachings diligently. He loves the church and the feeling of belonging, but there is one big problem--he is gay. He falls in love with another boy, Christian. His church insists Aaron repent for his sins and forever deny who he is. Living as a homosexual is not an option. The church forces Aaron to choose between Christian and his religion. Christian Markelli (Wes Ramsey) is a vivacious, gorgeous, party animal. His claim to fame is his ability to get straight boys to have sex with him. He works as a waiter and bus boy at Lila’s Restaurant—so does his roommate and best friend, Julie. His other friends are co-workers, Andrew and Traci. When Aaron and three other young Mormons move into Christian and Julie’s apartment complex, Andrew, Traci, Julie and Chris make a $50 bet to see if Chris can get one of the missionaries to sleep with him. Chris and Julie bet he could do it; Andrew and Traci bet he could not. Christian had no idea that he was going to fall in love with Aaron, or that Aaron would return his love. Julie (Rebekah Jordan) is an aspiring singer. Through a connection, she gets Clive Davis to listen to her demo album. Chris and Julie are more than roommates; they support and love one another like family. Andrew (Khary Payton), the bartender at Lila’s, has wisdom beyond his years because he has been HIV positive from a very young age. He convinces Christian to volunteer to help deliver food to housebound AIDS victims. Chris takes him up on his offer after Aaron tells him he is shallow and compares him to a “marshmallow peep”—a perfect analogy. Chris wants to prove to Aaron that he is not just a pretty face who only cares about getting laid. Traci (Amber Benson) is an aspiring actress whose parents are not too crazy about her career choice. Lila (Jacqueline Bisset) owns Lila’s Restaurant and is the epitome of culture, grace, and poise. She is a mother figure to Christian and Aaron when their own parents are not willing to fulfill their roles. One of her best lines to Aaron is, “Your church doesn’t like alcohol or homosexuals. I am definitely not joining.” Aaron was there for Lila in her time of need and Lila returns the favor to Aaron. They were each others’ angel. Aaron is kicked out of the missionary program and sent home after getting caught kissing Christian. Christian does not want to let him go that easily and tries to get him back. The set design is amazing and meaningful, as we see when Aaron returns home. His father is disappointed and his mother is cold. By contrast, the house is colorful and bright; even the kitchen cabinets are cheery. The house was decorated before Aaron shamed his family by admitting he is gay—designed when Aaron showed promise and potential to follow his father’s example and become a church leader. The cheerful design makes Aaron’s mother seem that much harsher by comparison. I loved Latter Days, the movie and the book, for many reasons but most of all for the important story it tells and the lesson it teaches. The lesson being that love comes in all forms and no person or church should have the right to condemn love between two people of the same sex. Many tragedies and near disasters could be avoided. |
 Queer as Folk (QAF), a provocative,
groundbreaking series on Showtime now in its fourth season, has gone
where no other cable show has gone before in America. An adaptation of
a British series of the same name, it is about a group of gay friends
who are more like family as they love and support one another. They
bicker too— but so do most families. QAF unapologetically reveals parts
of the gay lifestyle, particularly sex, which was once kept secret from
straights. The show has met with some controversy among the gay
community. Executive producers Ron Cowen, Daniel Lipman, and Tony Jonas
should be congratulated for bringing Queer as Folk to the USA. A
celebration and realistic depiction of gay life, QAF story lines
include: gay bashing, drug use, clubbing, sex, AIDS, self-loathing,
accepting and un-accepting families, discrimination, gay marriage,
having children through artificial insemination, life, love, the
pursuit of happiness and equality by human beings who also happen to be
gay. It is a show about GLBT individuals and how they survive in the
world as it is today. In the first episode, we meet Michael Novotny (Hal Sparks), the sweet, naïve, adorable, closeted at work, gay man who is still attached to his mother’s apron strings. He is secretly (it isn’t really a secret to those who know and love him) in love with his best friend Brian Kinney. Michael has had a crush on Brian since high school and the two have been friends since then. They take care of each other. Brian loves Michael as a friend but has a hard time showing love—his tough outer shell protects him from the cruel world. Brian even protects Michael when he falls for a rich Chiropractor named David who is very controlling. He does not want to see Michael get hurt. Brian Kinney (Gale Harold) is the sexual predator and hunk of the show. He is the one person every gay man strives to either imitate or have sex with. Brian does not believe in relationships or commitment—that is for “heterosexuals, who tell themselves they are in love, so they can get laid.” As much as Brian comes across as not caring about anyone but himself, that is how much he cares deep down. He exudes masculinity, confidence, and strength. A very successful advertising executive, Brian feels the only way to get the respect of straights is by achievement and making lots of money. Brian truly believes that the only person he can trust and rely on is himself. It is impossible to hate this character even though he is mean to the other characters at times. They know Brian better than he knows himself and they accept him the way he is. He is the core of the show. Brian Kinney is top dog— the leader of the pack and that is just the way he likes it. Emmett Honeycutt (Peter Paige) is positively flaming and the epitome of the stereotypical gay male. He would rather have “his flame burn bright than be a puny little pilot light.” Emmett is a wonderful character because he shows other gay men who are often ridiculed for being too feminine, even by other gays, that they can stand up for themselves and be proud of who they are. He is an effeminate gay man who actually loves himself, except for a momentary lapse in judgment when he tries to become straight. Luckily, with the help of his friends, he comes to his senses. Emmett is an open, honest, kind, good-hearted, funny and charming person, who wears the most outrageous outfits. He has a big heart and is always there for his friends. It has been reported that people have told Peter Paige: “Emmett gives nelly queens a good name.” Justin Taylor (Randy Harrison) is the 17-year-old boy 29-year-old Brian Kinney picks up outside of Babylon, the hot spot on Pittsburgh’s Liberty Avenue, for a one-night stand. Justin loses his virginity to Brian Kinney and proclaims to his best friend Daphne (Makyla Smith) that he has “seen the face of God.” Even though Brian tries to get rid of Justin, since he only believes in one-night stands, Justin is not easily dissuaded and pursues an affair and commitment with Brian. Justin is the only person to penetrate Brian’s shell—he gets in, in a big way. He even convinces Brian to be his senior prom date. The prom episode—the season finale— is not to be missed. This powerful and engrossing episode makes waiting for season two, sheer torture. Debbie Novotny (Sharon Gless) is Michael’s mom and president of the local chapter of PFLAG. She is proud of her gay son even though he is not proud of himself. She is a single mother who works as a waitress to make ends meet. She takes care of her gay brother Vic Grassi (Jack Wetherall) who has AIDS. Debbie is the Liberty Avenue fag hag and every gay boy and girl’s dream mother come true. Even though Michael finds her a bit hard to take at times—she can be crass, opinionated, stifling, loud, outrageous, and in your face—he loves and respects her. All of Liberty Avenue loves and respects Debbie. She dresses a bit like a drag queen herself which adds fun and depth to her. The sayings on her t-shirts are a riot and always make a statement. Debbie has the biggest heart of all—she is more like a mother to Brian than his real mother is and she even takes in Justin when his homophobic father kicks him out. Ted Schmidt (Scott Lowell) is the poor schlep who is rejected by the men he pursues. Of course, he goes after beautiful young things who are not interested in him so he sets himself up for failure. He is a lovable, sweet, funny person who suffers from very low self-esteem, which gets him into trouble in many ways. Ted ends up in a drug-induced coma because he uses poor judgment and he brings home an addict who is young and cute. Ted is flattered by this young man’s attention and ends up being left for dead by him. Ted is a predictable, self-abusive, accountant who makes some of the funniest observations in the show. He doesn’t see that he is cute and loveable even when he is told, he will not allow himself to believe it. Lindsay Peterson (Thea Gill) is Brian’s friend from college. She understands him and accepts his unapologetic way. Lindsay convinces Brian to donate sperm so she and her lover, Melanie, can start a family. The first episode shows Lindsay and Brian becoming parents. Lindsay has been described as the “earth mother” of the show and rightly so. Even though she likes to avoid confrontation, she can be quite strong when something or someone rubs her the wrong way. Lindsay and Melanie want what every citizen of the USA wants—to be able to raise their family with the same rights and privileges as a heterosexual couple. Melanie Marcus (Michelle Clunie) is a sharp, strong, Jewish, lesbian, lawyer who has not had an easy life but is willing to fight to defend herself and the ones she loves, namely her life-partner Lindsay and her son Gus. She stands up to Brian in order to legally adopt Gus—Melanie’s and Lindsay’s child—not Brian’s and Lindsay’s. Melanie locks horns with Brian on more than one occasion, leaving Lindsay caught in the middle. Jennifer Taylor (Sherry Miller) is Justin’s mom. She works hard to understand and accept her son’s sexuality. Even when Justin’s father kicks him out for refusing to stop seeing Brian, Jennifer tries to hold on to her son. Jennifer tries to convince Justin’s father to pay for college even though their son wants to study art instead of business. He is a gifted artist and she doesn’t want to see his talent go to waste. She also wants to allow Justin to follow his dream unlike her husband who thinks studying art is a waste of time. She fights to keep Justin safe and in her life, even if it means destroying her marriage. QAF is filled with drama and humor; it is fast paced and intriguing, daring and witty, perfectly cast, expertly written, and is relentless with its in-your-face harsh realities, opening up viewers eyes, yet maintaining its entertainment value. I think QAF honestly depicts gay life but that does not mean that all gays have indiscriminate sex or go club hopping nightly—granted, some do, but this series is for entertainment. It would be pretty boring if it only showed people getting up, going to work, going to sleep, and getting up again. I personally thank the creators of QAF for educating me, a straight, married, mother of three. The series made me aware of the need for legislation promoting equality. When Lindsay and Melanie took Gus to the hospital because of a high fever, the receptionist would only let Lindsay go into the exam room with Gus because Melanie was not a legal parent, I was infuriated. When Justin’s private school refused to allow him to form a Gay Straight Alliance, after all the intolerance and harassment he had to bear at the hands of fellow students and teachers alike, I wanted to scream. When Justin’s father physically assaulted Brian because he could not accept Justin’s feelings for Brian, I wondered how a father could disown his son because of sexual orientation. These are just a few examples. What I love about the show are the lovable characters, the terrific story lines, and the excitement of being allowed into a world I had limited knowledge of. I love the nightclub, Babylon, with its electric atmosphere, great music, dancing, and scantily clad, gorgeous men. It's hot, hot, hot! Once you watch episode one—you are hooked and it only gets better from there. I definitely recommend watching all three seasons (available on VHS and DVD) before watching season four, which premiered April 18, 2004. |
 Yossi and Jagger is a touching and
realistic film based on a true story about two Israeli Soldiers who
love each other. At a mere 67 minutes, this movie packs in substantial
messages. In one of the movie’s trailers, there is a statement that
pretty much sums up the movie, “Love Should Never be a Secret.” How sad
that being gay and in love has to be an exception. An outpost of the Israeli-Lebanese border is the setting of the film where the two army commanders maintain secrecy about their relationship—similar to America’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Even if the other soldiers suspect, they do not make an issue out of the fact that their leaders are gay but you get the distinct feeling they would rather not know. The viewers get a sense of what it must be like to live in a constant state of war, fear, and fighting, while defending one’s country. While many young people are partying, going to school, falling in love, and enjoying their youth, Israeli youth are drafted into the Army and ordered to risk their lives every day. What kinds of hopes and dreams can these people have when they are fighting for survival? It is inspiring to see how they allow themselves simple pleasures in life to remember what they are fighting for and to maintain their sanity. They seek love, companionship, and fun to get them through this difficult time of uncertainty in their lives. Yossi (Ohad Knoller) and Jagger’s (Yehuda Levi) poignant love story is all too real. Yossi, first commander, wants to keep their affair a secret and Jagger, second commander, wants to tell the world. Jagger is growing tired of hiding his love and being ashamed of it. He is close to the end of his tour and he asks Yossi to retire from the army when he does. He longs for an open and honest relationship with the love of his life. Yossi feels he can never change and is unable or unwilling to declare his love for Jagger publicly or privately. Even though Jagger knows Yossi loves him, he wants to hear him say it. I recommend this movie for its depth and realism. It is real without being too gory in its depiction of war but its powerful message is all too loud and clear. War is senseless and a severe weakness of the human condition. It reminds us of our failings to get along with our neighbors, which often meets with a tragic end. |