Finally, FINALLY, I found a good gay movie!
The name of the movie is "Bros" and I saw it last night on my Netflix DVD rental.
Oh, not that there hasn't been some excellent gay themed movies ("Brokeback Mountain", "Boys In The Band") but they all ended badly. Spoiler alert!
This one doesn't end badly. The gay characters don't kill themselves or get killed in the end. How refreshing! Even more refreshing this is actually a well written and well acted movie about gays.
Believe it or not straight folks, most gays aren't like the folks you've seen in "Will and Grace" episodes. "Jack" isn't your typical gay guy although he is funny (at times, his Cher impression is fantastic). But so often gay themed movies are played by straight actors. What's up with that? Are there no gay actors? Well we KNOW the answer to that question. Of course there are many gay actors, many still in the closet but the way our culture is now is that if an actor is gay most of the movie going public will not accept him (or her) in a straight role. Sad but true. The brutal truth, homophobia still reigns in the land.
Back to this movie. It has been SO LONG since I've laughed out loud at a scene in a movie and believe me folks, there are plenty of scenes in this movie to get you laughing. And for my gay followers, this is one of those rare movies that UNDERSTANDS US. You know what I mean. It's obvious it was written by gays and acted by gays. Here's a fact for my straight friends, nobody can laugh more at our (gay) foibles than gays ourselves. And this movie GETS it!
There are also some sweet tender moments in this movie as there should be in any ROM-COM movie.
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| Me (tall, slim guy far right with head turned) in Provincetown with my friends Gino and Bob circa 1979 - those were the days! |
Another thing I liked about this movie is when they went to my favorite gay resort Provincetown, Mass. I was prepared to see scenes Toronto Canada. I remember how disappointed I was when I first saw that long ago "breakthrough" gay TV series "Queer As Folk". It was supposed to take place in Pittsburgh, PA, a city where I came out in the winter of 1963. Pittsburgh's downtown of Grant Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Forbes Avenue isn't big. I worked at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel right on the Golden Triangle in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh. Try to imagine my immense disappointment when I couldn't recognize even one street scene of "Pittsburgh" in "Queer As Folk". I did some checking and sure enough, the series was filmed in, wait for it, TORONTO, CANADA! Thus it was with great pleasure when the story of "Bros" shifted to Provincetown, they actually filmed there! Downtown Provincetown isn't that big either and I actually recognized every scene, including the place where I used to stay in the summer of the Fabulous Seventies.
And one more thing I liked about this movie that didn't insult my intelligence like most movies and almost all of the lame gay movies I've seen over the years, was the sex scenes weren't gross. No swapping spit, sweaty limbs, grunts and groans. The only nipples you're going to see in this movie are men's nipples and after all folks, especially my gay friends, wasn't that our little secret all these years that the media never hid men's nipples? They don't in this movie either but they manage all the intimate scenes tastefully.
And of course there is an overall message in this movie. BE YOURSELF! Some may like you, some may not. SO WHAT! Just be yourself and who knows, you may find someone you likes you just as you are even if you aren't the mythical "California Blonde Swimmer", a fact which I never understood. The California Blonde Swimmer type never did anything for me. Troy Donahue? What was THAT all about? Rock Hudson didn't even turn me on and that was before he came out. Sure, he was very handsome. I saw that. Just like I could look at a beautiful woman but to arouse my hormones? Never worked. I like to get to know the guy I'm with. Of course looks comes into it but the personalty is Number One. I have to click with that personality. Lucky for me I found someone after all these years. We click.
After seeing a movie like this I've often thought my life could be made into a movie. Of course it would fail at the box office like this movie did. Yes, this movie failed at the box office even though is was rated in the 90% category by both critics and the audience who saw it. Let's face it folks. Not every movie can be about car chases and violence for thirteen year old boys. I find those movie very boring. Pat likes them though. I much prefer "Downton Abbey". Pat doesn't like "Downtown Abbey". He says it's boring "looking for Lady Mary's teapot." I get it Pat.
So if you want a good old fashion ROM-COM movie with genuine laughs and a few tender moments and a worthwhile message and an intelligent script and well acted, this movie is for you. Granted there are no "bankable" stars in this movie but I think you'll find the all the characters likable and most of all believable.
Enjoy!
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| Me in Provincetown 1979 |
6 comments:
I have not seen you talk with such passion about something in forever. This movie certainly didn't disappoint you at all. It certainly seems to have pushed all the right buttons for you. I am so happy for you. It sounds like one of those movies you can watch over and over and it raises your spirits when your down in the dumps. I have some movies that I am crazy about and watch them when my pain get out of control and I need to go to a "happy place". Elephant Walk starring Elizabeth Taylor is a good one. The Rains Came and its remake The Rains of Ranchipur take me away from the grip of th pain. I love them. Others like Cat On A Hot Tin Roof and Butterfield Eight are good to take my mind off my troubles. Rosemary's Baby is a good one, too. I was going to watch BROS the other night but got sidetracked. I will have to watch it now for sure. My second husband thought I was nuts because I liked Flashdance so much. It was funny you mentioned NIPPLES. I love nipples AND nice young butt cracks in real life and the movies. I was never crazy about working out but when I discovered a gym near the University that the frat boys worked out at I got a gym pass. gym short clinging to a sweaty bubble butt was a wet dream come true. LOL! Good to see you happy and so enthusiastic. Be careful. Be safe. Be Happy!
We loved "Bros" as well. Luke Macfarlane is really attractive. Another suggestion along the same line is "Smiley" on Netflix LGBT TV series.
Hello Ron,
Glad you liked the movie. Good independent/art house movies are always high on my list. Never been much for the mainstream stuff. I want to go see Branden Fraser in The Whale. I like hiding out in a dark movie theater. The number of folks in the theater when I go is about a dozen or so. I am conflicted because of the new strain of COVID and folks not keeping up with their immunizations. I have had my flu shot and 2nd booster. I am ready.
Also, I want to give a shout-out to Pat and the Tipton Houe Band. What talented folks. I always wanted to play an instrument. I would go with the piano. I have always been a sucker for LIVE music/arts.
Trust the New Year is starting off on the right foot.
Be healthy,
Victor
Woody,
You are so insightful! Yes, I was passionate about this movie. It made me feel good! That's what movies are about. It's been too long that I actually laughed out loud in my own bedroom (AKA 'The Tipton Cinema") at a movie.
I remember "Elephant Walk" with Elizabeth Taylor. I liked it too! In fact I think I'll rent it and watch it again. So campy although I didn't think so at that time. There are several movies that I can watch over and over again. Just some of them are "Dark Victory", "A Place In The Sun" (very young Elizabeth Taylor), "The Heiress" (Montgomery Clift is so good in both of the previous two movies), any W. C. Fields movie (so funny, always laugh).
Lately I've been feeling very tapped caregiving for Bill. I needed a good movie like "Bros" to take me out of my funk. I'm going to buy the DVD.
By the way Woody, I'm a very passionate person. Sometimes I've scared people away with my passion. Just a fact. Can't help it.
Have a great day!
Ron
Victor,
Isn't Pat and is band good? I am so impressed with their singing ability. All of them are good singers as well as playing instruments. They don't jump around much except for Pat but they are a very nice band that is hired by the Canadian version of our American Legion. The older folks love them! Pat said their New Year's Eve gig was great because of all the energy from their older audience. They started dancing right away. I hope someday I can be a roadie for them.
Ron
Anonymous,
Thanks for the tip on "Smiley". I need to watch another good series from Netflix. Sometimes the good ones get lost in the abundance of DVD's available. And yes, Lucas McFarlane is really cute. Unusual for a gay film because usually they have some guy who I don't find attractive at all. I often wonder who does the casting for these movies. "Bros" got it right!
Ron
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