Review by Scott Cranin
By: Scott Cranin
In-House Review - Dec 16 2011
In his feature film debut, openly gay writer/director Greg Berlanti has crafted a funny, touching slice-of-life portrait on the lives and loves of a group of gay West Hollywood friends. The characters include Dennis (Timothy Olyphant), a promising ph...
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In his feature film debut, openly gay writer/director Greg Berlanti has crafted a funny, touching slice-of-life portrait on the lives and loves of a group of gay West Hollywood friends. The characters include Dennis (Timothy Olyphant), a promising photographer, his housemate Cole (Dean Cain), a charming man-stealing actor; Benji (Zach Braff), a punkish gym bunny fancier; analytical grad student Howie (Matt McGrath); cynical quipster Patrick (Ben Weber) and his lesbian sister (Mary McCormack) who's lover (Nia Long) wants his sperm; and Taylor (Billy Porter) whose long-term relationship goes on the rocks. They all hang out at a restaurant run by the group's unofficial patriarch, Jack (John Mahoney) and play together on a softball team coached by Jack (a part-time drag performer). Drama abounds, especially when Cole seduces and abandons the fragile, just-out-of-the-closet Kevin (Andrew Keegan) - leaving Dennis to help pick up Kevin's emotional pieces.
A witty and entertaining comedy/drama that offers an attractive cast and a touching story of gay men's romances and friendship.
Review by Amos Lassen
By: Amos Lassen
" THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB: A ROMANTIC COMEDY"
You Gotta Have Friends
Amos Lassen
Set on the palm treed coast of West Hollywood, "The Broken Hearts Cub" (Sony Pictures Classics) tries very hard to succeed and it almost does. First off, ...
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" THE BROKEN HEARTS CLUB: A ROMANTIC COMEDY"
You Gotta Have Friends
Amos Lassen
Set on the palm treed coast of West Hollywood, "The Broken Hearts Cub" (Sony Pictures Classics) tries very hard to succeed and it almost does. First off, we meet Dennis, a photographer with a promising career. He is about to celebrate his twenty-eighth birthday and he is looking at his life and ruing it. He can't decide if his friends are really his friends or not. Among the members of his gang are Benji a boyish looking young man who loves men with pumped up bodies, Howie-a grad student in psychology who thinks a lot and doesn't act, Cole, the handsome young actor who knows how to manage to get everyone's men, Patrick, a cynical jokester, and Taylor, a drama queen who is proud of his long term relationship. Rounding out the group is an older man, Jack, who gives advice and provides employment for the guys. Friendships are put to the test when Jack is suddenly struck down.
What director Greg Berlanti managed to do is nothing less than heroic. He, somehow, managed to show gay men to be just regular people living in a society which characterizes gay men by stereotypical notions. The are really no stereotypes in the movie that seems to have created a group of friends based upon what we, as gay people, think of as gay men-just regular guys. When the movie shines, it glows and when it is mediocre it is ruled by cliché. But more than anything, it is original. It shows gays as a group of men who fall in and out of love, love sports and do things like any other group of young men. Every once in a while, however, it does resort to the idea that life is not so easy for gays.
Acted by an ensemble cast in which everyone is good there is one standout performance. Timothy Oliphant as Dennis gives a wonderful performance (but then his role is the center of the film). Basically this is a director's film. He made the movie he wanted to make and did it the way he wanted it done.
I enjoyed the way each character is conveyed differently as if we are actually meeting them. A plethora of messages is sent out from the screen and probably the reason it did not do well when released to the big screen is that people weren't ready t see us as run of the mill everyday guys. A lot has changed since 2000 when the movie came out and were it to be released I have the feeling that it would be embraced. Next to "Queer as Folk" it5 is quite mild but again, seven years have paused and several bolder movies have come along. The movie itself, doesn't really add anything new, aside from the depiction of gay men, but that is salvaged by the acting and quickness of the screenplay. The film gives gay men a definition and it has a universal theme-friends who are really friends will be there to let you know that you are OK-if you are.
There are great moments of humor and some wonderful usage of terms that the gay community uses and they are defined on screen so that the straight audience will understand our lingo. There are several touching and sensitive events in the film as well. As we watch the men connect and disconnect as they look for where they fit in the world, I had the feeling that I was looking at my own life. Several people have had problems with this movie but it could have been when they saw it. It is important because it shows that we live and love like everyone else. The fact that the main characters are gay is not what the movie is about. It is about friendship and how important it is. The fact the it is about a group of gay men is really not that important. Anyone could have been in this movie-at least anyone with a group of friends.
Review by Paul Anthony
By: Paul Anthony
An inspiring well done movie that I would like to see part 2 and 3. It is the kind of movie you don't want to see end.
Review by movie-goer
By: movie-goer
Well, thanks to someone who stole my previous copy so that I have buy a new one! This is a truly masterpiece in gay cinema. What else have we seen since 2001? "The Trip" is great and of course there's "Brokeback Mountain," but neither of them talk ab...
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Well, thanks to someone who stole my previous copy so that I have buy a new one! This is a truly masterpiece in gay cinema. What else have we seen since 2001? "The Trip" is great and of course there's "Brokeback Mountain," but neither of them talk about gay friendship and relationship in such depth and wholeheartedly. Some funny facts after this movie released is that 3 of these guys were playing Carrie Bradshaw's boyfriend/fling in "Sex and the City." Zach Braff has become one of the most successful one among all thanks to his "Garden State" dictorial debut. Dean Cain has a cameo role in "Rat's Race" which is funny. Timothy Olyphant has to play villian in most of his roles lately. Last but not least that SOMEONE HAS TO DIE in all good gay movies such as "Brokeback," "The Trip" and this one. Hopefully we can see another good gay movie soon. (NO MORE EATING OUT PLEASE!!!!)
Review by Ric
By: Ric
This is a very well done movie overall. The acting is very good as is the plot. Can slow down a bit at times but overall a good movie
Review by WhyteRabbit
By: WhyteRabbit
I can't say enough good things about this movie. It is not possible to watch this and not recognize something, the talk with your hair dresser, the steel magnolias question... Its witty, and touching, and ultimately a proud step forward for queer cin...
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I can't say enough good things about this movie. It is not possible to watch this and not recognize something, the talk with your hair dresser, the steel magnolias question... Its witty, and touching, and ultimately a proud step forward for queer cinema.
Review by mr. know-it-all
By: mr. know-it-all
I must say that my reservations about this movie where put to rest within the first five minutes. The cast including Dean Cain,Andrew Keegan and Timothy Olyphant, Billy Porter,Matt McGrath, John Manoney, as well as Nia Long and Mary McCormick are si...
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I must say that my reservations about this movie where put to rest within the first five minutes. The cast including Dean Cain,Andrew Keegan and Timothy Olyphant, Billy Porter,Matt McGrath, John Manoney, as well as Nia Long and Mary McCormick are simply brilliant. They create characters you care about, can identify with and even hate at times. I laughed and cried, but most of all I came away feeling even more proud to be out and gay.
Review by Movie Lover
By: Movie Lover
I really enjoyed this movie when I saw at the Sundance Film Festival. I think i has some of greatest lines in all of "Gay Cinema." A must-own, so you can watch again and again.
Review by auntyoz
By: auntyoz
I recently went to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Film festival where this movie was being shown. Unfortunately i didn't have the time to see all 70 odd movies at the festival. I bought this online through gay.com and it arrived yesterday.
...
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I recently went to the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Film festival where this movie was being shown. Unfortunately i didn't have the time to see all 70 odd movies at the festival. I bought this online through gay.com and it arrived yesterday.
Iwatched it last night with my friends none of whom had seen it before.
The resounding vote was that it was one of the best movies that we have ever seens. It covered all aspects of theheart/sex lives of a gay man. It is beautifully portrayed by these actors none of course of whom are gay ... or are they. "You now that one in out of ten men is Gay!" Oh but they couldn't be! Maybe they are all Married!!!!!
An excellent film all round.
Review by CollegeBoy
By: CollegeBoy
I actually went and saw this movie with a friend... I never heard of this film, but he heard some good reviews so we decided to check it out...a lot of big names in this film, I fell in love with almost all of the characters, because you could actual...
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I actually went and saw this movie with a friend... I never heard of this film, but he heard some good reviews so we decided to check it out...a lot of big names in this film, I fell in love with almost all of the characters, because you could actually see yourself portrayed in one or two of the characters...its a feel good movie, must watch at least once, but better to own!
Review by Gay Movie Lover
By: Gay Movie Lover
The acting is not top notch, but the actors do a good job. It's a good story, nicely told. I'm glad some big names appeared in it. It's a good addition to any gay movie library.