Nobody's Perfect

By: Scott Cranin
In-House Review - Jul 10 2012

A thoroughly urban dramedy Robert Tutak's Nobody's Perfect is a tale of six New Yorkers, their loves, lives and a few somewhat messy indiscretions. While enjoying our evening watching the film, my partner said that the movie was like a gay Sex and the City , but of course that's pretty gay as it is. With shots on a fire escape, in the subway and in the West Village if you're a New Yorker you'll feel right at home, and if you're not, you might want to move there because the cinematographer has really made the city look inviting. Fast-moving and always engaging Nobody's Perfect is an intimate portrait of gay love with all its joys and warts intact.
First off we're in an elevator with Joshua (Jay Christianson) and ER, (Karim Ra) an inter-racial couple who appear to be in midst of an argument, and a celebration as well. They're on the way to their own "surprise" anniversary party, but they're also fighting about Joshua's "indiscretion" with a student. Flashback to Joshua's meeting with the said student, Teo, (Leonardo Nam) a young Asian-American aspiring filmmaker who appears to have a major crush on his film teacher. A flat tummy is proffered, words and body fluids are exchanged; and in the elevator a cake is thrown. But guess what, the elevator breaks down and the men talk. Frederic (Jacob Michaels), a hot Wasp is partnered with John (David Lavine) a cute young Jewish guy. Frederic seems to be pushing his partner into an indiscretion with ER (yes, this is a rather group of friends) but when only a touch happens, John is tossed out. Frederic hits the bars and who does he end up in bed with? Teo, of course. And this is the hot sex we're all waiting for....
Shot with a real urban flair, and acted with natural grace by all the principal cast, Nobody's Perfect is a peek into gay relationships that work. There are ups and downs, funny spots and not-so-funny spots. With its warm, intelligent humor we hope Robert Tutak decides to make another gay film one of these days.

By: Amos Lassen

I loved "Nobody's Perfect". It combines romance, comedy and drama as it gives us the stories of two gay couples in New York City who grow more and more in love the more they cheat. This is a very gay movie that makes Manhattan look like it is the only place to live.
We first meet Joshua (Jay Christianson) and his lover ER (Karim Ra), an inter racial couple who cannot decide if they are arguing or celebrating. They are on the way to celebrate their anniversary and are involved in discussing Joshua who cheated with a student, Teo (Leonardo Nam). Before we know it, the argument escalates and the anniversary cake ends up becoming ammunition. But as would not be expected, something happens and the elevator stops moving giving our men time to talk things over.
Next we have the seminal wasp Frederic (Jacob Michaels) and his Jewish partner John (David Lavine). For whatever reason, Frederic seems to be pushing John to shack up with ER but when there is a touch. Frederic throws John out and hits the bars where he meets Teo and they have sex.
Tutak certainly shows diversity with his cast-5 guys, a Korean, a guy from Belize, an American Jew, an African American, a wasp and all of them look for love in all of the wrong places. There is also the token female, Karen whose boyfriend is the passed around Teo.
Visually the film is a real treat-it is a very stylish look at New York and the cinematography is wonderful and I found it to be an exciting debut film even if at times it was a bit soap-opera"ish".