New romantic comedy

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 11:13am

MALCOLM GETS (L) AND CRAIG CHESTER (R)

I just got back from seeing an outrageously funny and shamelessly romantic comedy called Adam and Steve, written and directed by Craig Chester, at OUTFEST in L.A. This tops my previously favorite gay r.c. (All Over the Guy) as being the best yet gay take on my favorite movie genre. The laughs come one after another, very over the top at times, but truly hilarious. And the ending has got to be the most romantic finish to a gay movie yet. The icing on the cake of this super film (which hopefully will get a big release as it's produced by the same company which made Latter Days, the most successful gay film of 2004) is that for perhaps the first time, the two leads, Chester and Broadway fave Malcolm Gets, are both out gay actors. At last, a gay movie you can watch without wondering, "How did he feel about kissing another guy?" And for the romantics out there, there's lots of kissing in the movie (but very little sex--it is a romantic comedy after all.)
REVIEWS:


Adam And Steve Website Updated On: 7/17/05 at 11:13 AM

[NCGuy]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 11:37am

Looks like a fun supporting cast...Parker Posey, Sally Kirkland, Julie Hagerty, Melinda Dillon, and Jackie Beat!

[Anastasia_Beaverhausen]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 11:51am

Sounds WONDERFUL! FINALLY, a good gay movie. They are usually so bad. I haven't seen a great one since Trick...well, and Latter Days was pretty good. :)

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 4:23pm

NOAH ON THE RIGHT, NEXT TO JOSEPH GORDON-LEVITT (NOT IN THIS FILM)
Yes, it's really an amazing supporting cast. Chris Kattan actually underplays (for him) as Gets' (straight) best friend and Parker Posey is her usual quirky funny self as Chester's best friend. Melinda Dillon is Malcolm's born-again Christian from Texas mother, and Julie Haggerty is Craig's mom, accident cursed. And a very cute young actor named Noah Segan is adorable and funny (and a bit irritating, only because his character is) as "Twink." The film will be at festivals for now. Since Latter Days got such a big release, hopefully this one, produced by the same company, will too.

[bwaysinger]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 4:26pm

Oh, yay! Anything with Parker gets my vote!

[OrdinaryJukebox1]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 5:52pm

I loved "Trick" and "All Over the Guy," however, I think it's sad that the most successful gay film of '04 was "Latter Days." I thought it was horrible! Simply awful, in my humble opinion. This, I'd like to see. I love Parker Posey and I love good gay films that aren't about death, self loating, AIDS and ALL sex, you know? For all the "Wicked" fans, there is a terrible gay film by the name of "Defying Gravity," made long before the song, but a terrible movie anyway. Just thought anyone, someone would like to know that tid bit.

-Vincent

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 8:10pm

Ordinary, everyone is certainly entitled to his or her opinion, and in fact 8.4% of voters at IMDB.com gave Latter Days a 1 out of 10, the lowest vote possible, which would have been your score I'd imagine. However...the overall score for the film is 7.4/10, which is VERY high for IMDB. 39.4% gave Latter Days a 10 (I was one of them) and in fact more than 2/3 of the voters gave it 8 or higher. I mention this only to set the record straight (no pun intended). While you have every right to call Latter Days "horrible," 68% of those who voted at IMDB think it is an excellent film. I'm glad you agree with me about Trick and All Over The Guy, though. I've seen all of the three above-mentioned films more times than I'd dare admit.

By the way, here's my IMBD review of Latter Days which I submitted back in February of 2004.

IT BLEW ME AWAY, 1 February 2004
Author: Steven from Los Angeles, California
I was one of the lucky first to see this amazing, touching, funny, sexy, and inspiring film last summer at Outfest 2003 in Los Angeles. Without hesitation, I can say that it is one of the finest (gay) films I have ever seen. It is first and foremost a love story, and perhaps the most moving I have yet seen in gay cinema. Latter Days tells of two young men from different worlds, whose falling in love changes them and their lives profoundly. Christian, the party boy for whom sex is a casual sport, and Aaron, whose blind adherence to the religion of his family denies him the possibility of true love meet, and nothing is ever the same for them again. The leads are both physically gorgeous, but more than that, give indelible performances. The love scenes between them are both gorgeously romantic and erotically detailed. All the supporting cast shines, with special mention deserved by the two "name" actresses who join the mostly young and unknown ensemble cast. Mary Kay Place brilliantly shows how the bigotry of certain religions can cause a loving human being to deny the love in their heart because of a misconceived notion of "sin." Jacqueline Bisset is radiant as a woman whose love for those around her is unconditional and inclusive. The utter evil of those religions who deny the humanity of other decent men and women is exposed, but never in a preachy way. This film had me on the edge of my seat, totally invested in the hope that Christian and Aaron could surmount the obstacles placed in their way. I doubt there was a dry eye in the house at the end of the movie. The Outfest audience leapt to their feet at the end of the showing, and remained standing, cheering and applauding the cast who stood onstage before the screen...for the entire length of the closing credits. I knew at that moment that Latter Days had to win the Audience Award, and it did, for Best First Feature. I'm so excited that now I will be able to see it again! And when it comes out on DVD I will buy it and watch it again and again. Kudos to C. Jay Cox and all those involved in this film. If you're lucky enough to be in a city where it is shown, run, don't walk to see it and support this kind of film. If you live in a smaller city, demand that your local cinema show it. And if all else fails, reserve the first copy of the DVD to have it on its release date. Latter Days is a truly wonderful film!

Updated On: 7/14/05 at 08:10 PM

[roquat]

Posted: 7/14/05 at 10:19pm

Though I wouldn't call it "horrible", "Latter Days" was very disappointing. I wanted to like it a good deal more than I did. Its view of Mormonism was shallow and underwritten (Mormons eeee-vil!) and it wasn't terribly funny, just another generic coming-out story. Haven't we had enough of those?

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 2:20am

Pretty evil in their excommunication and repudiation of gay and lesbian people, if you ask me. But that's just one gay man's opinion.

[MrBungee7]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 2:43am

I've been pumped for this since I heard Gets talk about it in an interview on (I think) Seth's Chatterbox. Anyway, can't wait to see the amazing cast in action and hear the song that Gets apparently sings.

P.S. I love malcolm Gets?

[GetsFan]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 7:54am

What song does he sing? I heard that it was "Something Good". Is that from the movie version of "The Sound of Music" Is that true or is it another song? Doesn't matter really anything Malcolm sings is good.

I can't wait to see this movie!!!

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 8:20pm

Yes, he does sing Something Good. It's a perfect moment at the end of the film. The movie is very much influenced by P.J. Hogan (My Best Friend's Wedding/Muriel's Wedding) in its two musical numbers, the aforementioned Something Good, and a hilarious intricately choreographed dance sequence, gay cowboys two-stepping to a song called SH*T Happens, sung (lipsinced?) by drag queen Jackie Beat. The movie is a real winner!
Updated On: 7/16/05 at 08:20 PM

[otis33]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 8:58pm

Malcolm is GREAT in "Adam and Steve." He does sing a song from Sound of Music at the end of the movie. (shameless plug ahead) He also wrote and sings the theme song/closing credits song for a film I'm involved with called "29th and Gay." You can hear the song on the film's website. He's a great guy, extremely talented, and yes, nice to see openly gay actors playing openly gay characters in gay film.




29th and Gay movie Updated On: 7/16/05 at 08:58 PM

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 3:32am

The link doesn't work.

[otis33]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 3:56am

Can't seem to get the link to work. The web address is...
www.29thandgay-themovie.com. Hope that works. :) It's a great song, hope you can hear it.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 4:11am

Let me try.
It works!
You probably didn't type the full address with http...
It's my bedtime...
but I'll listen to the song tomorrow morning.
Bon nuit. Buenas noches. Buona notte. Oyasuminasai...
29th and Gay Movie

[otis33]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 4:41am

Ah, thanks eslgr8! Cute (according to my Mom, anyway) but not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to computers. Learn something everyday! Thanks for adding the link to your post. :)

[Urban]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 5:24am

Looks good. I hopefully will see it when it eventually comes to a theatre near me (which is like 2007 proberly). I actually enjoyed "Latter Days", but then again as a gay mormon, I got both angles covered in identifying with the movie.

Oddly the only thing that really annoyed me with the movie was it clearly wasn't Salt Lake International Airport they where at. I don't know why that of all things annoyed me either.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 12:41pm

Don't be annoyed about that. It was a LOW budget movie, shot entirely in L.A. As to the way the film depicted Mormons, I really feel that Mary Kay Place did a tremendous job of showing the conflict between her religion and her love for her son. Unfortunately, she put her beliefs before her love...but the scene at her front door where she finally realizes that Christian loves Aaron, the look in her eyes tells me that she finally gets it, or is at least starting to. And Aaron's sister (in the novelization at least) accepts Aaron's being gay and loves him just as much.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 1:18pm

eslgr8:

Don't take this the wrong way - because I like you and I think you're a valueable member of this board. However, what is your obsession with actors that are out of the closet, or actors starring in gay movies, or gay songs, or whatever. Everytime I read a thread on the main board and I see the word "gay," I know you posted it without even having to look.

You seem to have an obsession with who is openly gay and who is not and who is starring in this really gay movie and I do not understand. You seem to suggest that these actors deserve more credit than others because they are openly gay...like that's even shocking in the world of musical theatre.

I really just don't understand why everytime you post a "news" item - or almost any other time - your threads contain the words "openly gay," or some variation. I don't get it. What if I just started threads that kept saying "African-American cast in DREAMGIRLS movie!" "African-American actor chose to star opposite John Simon in Grumpy Old Men the musical!" Why the need to specify?

[roquat]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 3:39pm

I saw the film "Latter Days" with a straight Mormon who was shocked at the narrow, one-sided, "evil" depiction of Mormonism. Understand, this was not a man who anyone could have called bigoted or homophobic (he was in showbiz, for God's sake). And I had to agree. For us, the film failed to give an idea of the loyalties and traditions which were causing Aaron's conflict--Mormonism seemed to be a religion created for the sole purpose of persecuting homosexuals. It missed out on the familial and community feelings which make Mormonism so powerful. If we had seen the positive side of what Aaron was fleeing from, it would have made the film far more effective.

And for me, the talented, quirky comedienne Mary Kay Place was horribly miscast in the hideous, one-note role of Aaron's mother--she was forced to screech and whine through all of her screen time, permitted to show no nuance whatsoever.

(This has nothing to do with my main argument, but the very lovely Jacqueline Bisset should probably avoid roles that require her to break down crying on camera.)

[otis33]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 4:39pm

"You seem to have an obsession with who is openly gay and who is not and who is starring in this really gay movie and I do not understand. You seem to suggest that these actors deserve more credit than others because they are openly gay...like that's even shocking in the world of musical theatre."

Munkustrap, unfortunately Hollywood is still quite homophobic, so to have openly gay actors playing gay roles is a big step. As a gay man, I find it encouraging to have actors like Malcolm and Craig representing the gay community on screen and serving as possible role models. I'm not suggesting that they deserve more credit, but it's nice to know that they're not afraid of being type-cast or shunned because of who they are. We're very lucky that the theatre world is not that way. Also, knowing many involved with "Adam and Steve," they're very proud that their product has two openly gay leads and was produced by a gay indie film company, Funny Boy Films.

[eslgr8]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 7:57pm

Dear Munk, I like you too, and I've always enjoyed reading your posts, and I'm sure you're not the first to feel the same way about my "one track mind." But being OPENLY gay is still a big deal, and one I will continue to salute, again and again and again on this site.

There are no "openly African American" actors because there is nowhere for them to hide, to pretend to be anything other than what they are. An African American actor, or an Asian, or a Hispanic actor (unless you're Cameron Diaz) must face prejudice on a day to day basis, as casting opportunities for minority races continue to be limited.

Gay actors can, and do, hide. The small number of out actors in a profession most would agree is full of "the gays" is proof positive of that. Non-out gay actors are the only actors who regularly, not just occasionally, but regularly omit any mention of their private lives in interviews. Just look at Wayman Wong's monthly Leading Man column. The straight guys talk about wives and girlfriends, the openly gay ones talk about
boyfriends/partners/lovers, and those who say nothing... Well, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to do the math.

So...when an actor like Cheyenne Jackson has the courage to come out and stay out and star on Broadway it's a HUGE deal that needs to be saluted, trumpeted to all the gay teens and everyone else who says it can't be done, or feels limited, or shameful, or persecuted because of their orientation.

As to gay actors playing gay roles, it's about time. I, like many others, are no longer satisfied with seeing straight actors pretending to live our lives (at the same time that openly gay actors face the possiblility of never being cast in straight roles because "straight people won't buy it.") Well, gay people have been "buying it" forever, and when a film like Adam and Steve comes out, with two OPENLY GAY actors playing lovers, two OPENLY GAY actors who don't have to shut their eyes and imagine they're kissing a woman when they kiss on screen, two actors who've lived and continue to live the day-to-day struggles and joys of being gay and aren't afraid to tell the world who they are, when these two men star in a film about gay boyfriends, it's a BIG BIG event.

Not only that, but straight audiences can't comfort themselves by saying, "It was only acting." In Latter Days, both actors were straight, and certainly had to psyche themselves for the sex/love scenes, and in All Over the Guy, one actor was openly gay, the other straight, perhaps a step forward, but still one actor was playing scenes that in his heart didn't feel "right" for him.

I'm all for actors being able to play whatever orientation they can. And perhaps when the day comes that openly gay actors are a dime a dozen, and openly gay actors are regularly cast in straight leading men roles in plays and movies and tv, when that day comes, I guess I won't need to shout out that X, Y, or Z is OUT as a gay actor, and that X, Y, or Z film has a gay actor in a gay role.

When that day comes, I'll say, "So what?" every time a gay role goes to a straight actor. But that day isn't here yet. So for the time being, I'll keep on writing about openly gay actors, and I'll keep on writing about openly gay actors playing gay (or straight) roles.

Thank you for posting your honest feelings, Munk. I can understand why I might provoke a strong reaction from you. But forgive me if I continue with my pro-out, pro-openly gay posts.
Steven :)

Updated On: 7/17/05 at 07:57 PM

[KindnessofStrangers]

Posted: 7/16/05 at 10:31pm

<>

Jackie Beat does her own singing. She would kick ass if someone suggested otherwise. I thought the film was consistently funny, as well. Apparently Alyson Books does as well as they're publishing a novelization of the screenplay this fall.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/17/05 at 1:26pm

eslgr8, paragraph breaks are our friends! They make our missives easier to read.

Just a couple of thoughts: There are no "openly African American" actors because there is nowhere for them to hide, to pretend to be anything other than what they are. Tell that to Vin Diesel.

Well, gay people have been "buying it" forever, and when a film like Adam and Steve comes out, with two OPENLY GAY actors playing lovers, two OPENLY GAY actors who don't have to shut their eyes and imagine they're kissing a woman when they kiss on screen, two actors who've lived and continue to live the day-to-day struggles and joys of being gay and aren't afraid to tell the world who they are, when these two men star in a film about gay boyfriends, it's a BIG BIG event.

I would have to vociferously disagree with this theory. Unfortunately for the small, independent film world with their small, "important" films of gay romance and coming out stories (enough of those, thanks!), the real world progressed so much faster that non-acting civilians are living the lives that the closeted screen performers can't admit to. And things have progressed so far beyond the "admitting to" stage in the real world, that many people across all age groups could give a crap about what the real story is of the actors in productions like "Adam and Steve."

I think you're projecting when it comes to saying things like two straight actors have to close their eyes and imagine women. You really do not know what's going on in their heads. I have seen PLENTY of straight men play gay (Philip Seymour Hoffman in Flawless, for example) and I didn't feel as if he didn't "feel" the part, or whatever it is you think ONLY an actual gay man can bring to the part.

I know this USED to be a big rallying cry among the Larry Kramer set, (WHY won't openly gay actors play gay parts? WHY are there no openly gay actors?). Well, I think the whole rest of the world has moved on.

It's great when actors come out. It is not imperative that gay actors play gay parts in, well, the general pablum that serves as gay indie stories of today.

Updated On: 7/17/05 at 01:26 PM