Capital Games

By: Raymond Murray
In-House Review - Dec 18 2013

Two L.A. hunks and adversarial work-mates feed on competition and percolating sexual tension in this stylish indie drama from first-time feature film director Ilo Orleans.

Super-serious former L.A. cop-turned-advertising executive Steve (Eric Presnall) meets his professional match when hot-shot Brit Mark (Gregor Cosgrove) joins the ad agency. They immediately get off on the wrong foot and their initial distrust soon builds to pure mutual animosity. When a company weekend retreat in a Santa Fe desert resort brings them together it only worsens their tension, but distrust turns to passion when one night, as the two men become lost in the desert, they make furious love. But come dawn, Mark reveals that he is in fact straight and engaged to be married. With single-minded intensity bordering on obsession, blond Steve refuses to believe this, and becomes determined to win Mark at any cost.

As far from a drippy gay romance as one can imagine, this testosterone-driven tale of intense attraction makes for gripping viewing.

By: JANORM

This is a story about how love can and will work its way to the top, no matter the obstacles. It is a classic example of the culture of our society placing certain demands and restrictions in relationships. These interactions can be both funny, sad, happy, and bad. Such is life! NJMJr!

By: birdutters

Expected more, received less. Dragged on, when I was hoping it would just end. Nothing editing and a new sound track couldn't help. I laughed at two guys jacking in desert when it's freezing. I can tell a woman wrote this, not that its a bad thing, but she really didn't capture a gay moment. It was unbelievable.

By: redmatt

First, start with an absurd, unreal, foolish script so removed from reality. (For example, after these two lunge at each other kiss, then whack off each other...Character # 1 "Are you gay?", Character # 2: "No. Are you?", # 1 "No.") Then they go on an pursue each other.....whoops, I mean, they "fall in love" in two or three days.
Next, add a director who seems to have no presence. And finally, add in horrendous acting by ALL involved.
Nothing here is remotely believable! This production is SO BAD that it is laugh-out-loud terrible.

By: Marty

Yes, the two male leads are hunks. Yes, you do get to see 2 quick views of Gregor Cosgrove's penis. But that's not enough to recommend this movie. The plot has me wondering what the viewers at Philly QFest saw that I didn't. A gay man in 2013 conflicted about marrying a woman (thereby ruining TWO lives) just does NOT rings true. Then there are the technical flaws... In this age of iPhones, who still uses a paper Rolodex? And who keeps his own home address on his Rolodex?? Then there are the camera trolley tracks visible on the nature trail sex scene... Last but not least... a bride being stood up at the altar as her fiance is scooped up by a sweaty jock and all she does is meekly take the hand of her maid of honor? In South Philly where I grew up, both guys would have been castrated on the spot. This movie was one bodice rip away from a Barbara Cartland novel...

By: Amos Lassen

Steve Miller (Eric Presnall) is a tough ex-Los Angeles cop who quit the so that he could find a nice quiet office job. Mark Richfield (Gregor Cosgrove) is the new kid at work who has found favor with the boss and his co-workers. Both men work at the same advertising agency. Steve is jealous of Mark who is new at work and it looks like he is going to steal a campaign from Steve.

Ilo Orleans directed this film about two men competing against each other. Then while on a work retreat, the jealousy turns to carnality and animosity is lost when the two men have sex. How this happened is a mystery since both men claim that they have never had sex with a man. The day after their liaison, Steve learns that Mark is engaged to a woman. Steve then begins his own campaign to win Mark over. We feel the tension between the two men yet there is also a tenderness that is intense. We see the conflicting feelings and we understand them. The two actors are totally believable in their roles. What is interesting is that Steve does not believe that Mark is straight and is determined to have him. He cannot help remembering that weekend retreat and how he felt. To say anymore about the film would destroy the surprise so I will simply recommend it.