Testosterone

By:
In-House Review - Oct 08 2007

A successful comic book (or as he prefers, graphic novel) writer and illustrator, Dean (David Sutcliffe) falls into a creative funk after his Argentinean lover, Pablo (Antonio Sabato, Jr.), disappears after going to the store for cigarettes. With a scruffy stubble, piercing eyes and a flippant, "fuck all" attitude, the obsessive Dean decides to venture down to Buenos Aires in hopes of confronting his ex and hopefully bringing him back to his senses and Dean's bed. It proves to be more difficult than planned, as a confusing veil of secrecy, lies and intrigue confront him. It doesn't help that he can't speak Spanish (he can barely say gracias) or that Pablo's mother (Sonia Braga in a scene-stealing role) is an icy bitch who hates him or that the one person he trusts and who may hold answers, Sofia (Celina Font), proves to be just as duplicitous as the others. Even Marcos (Leonardo Brzezicki), Pablo's sex-crazed boyhood friend, is holding out.

Lost in the sprawling city, Sean's search soon involves the police, more than a few guns, loads of sex, a dead body or two and an unanticipated reunion. Sutcliffe is impressive as "a fag with a who needs a chainsaw" - he's masculine, 100% homo and single-mindedly determined to get back his love. A refreshing gay tale told with humor, intrigue, torrid sexual excitement: a hardened gay romance for the times.

Raymond Murray

By: Amos Lassen

"Testosterone"
"Cry For Me Argentina"
Amos Lassen
I would not call "Testosterone" a happy movie. It began as a novel which was written by a gay author suffering from bouts of depression. It is the dark story of Dean whose lover Pablo left him to return to his native Argentina. Dean tries to track Pablo down and encounters all kids of men during his search. The cast is wonderful with David Sutcliffe as Dean, Sonia Braga ("Kiss of the Spider Woman") as Pablo's heartless mother and Antonio Sabato Jr. as Pablo. Unfortunately the script doesn't seem to have much of a sense of direction.
The film is heavily nationalistic and political. Dean is the "ugly American". He lacks all social graces and his rudeness is his calling card. He goes to Argentina and shows no interest in the country whatsoever. He is an unlikable character in all aspects but he is unbelievably sexy. His testosterone is represented as brutal male power-he is violent, very sexual, vengeful and extremely compulsive.
Even with its flaws I found "Testosterone" an interesting movie to see. It is entertaining but it is not a great film. The locations shot in Buenos Aires are gorgeous-the trees are green, the sky is blue, and the cinema photography is lush. But we cannot take this movie too seriously especially after hearing the line that Dean says, "I'm just a fag with a who needs a chain saw.
So who is this Dean character? He is a Los Angeles writer of graphic novels who had been involved in a six month affair with Pablo Alesandro. One night Pablo went out to buy cigarettes and never returned and Dean begins a search for him which means he had to go to Buenos Aires where he hears Pablo has gone. His adventures begin there at the home of Pablo's mother. Across the street there is a mysterious character by the name of Sofia who obviously knows Pablo. It is later that we discover that Sofia's brother, Marcos, is a former lover of Pablo. To complicate matters even more, Marcos meets Dean and is smitten with him.
The movie takes a different direction than what we are used to. For one it does not adhere to the stereotype of gay men we see so often in movies. The gay men in this movie have humanity and foibles and flaws. But because the story loses its focus, the movie suffers completely. The ending is offensive and silly. It is hard to combine Cinema Noir
with humor unless it is satire. And if this movie is a satire, I did not get it.
The movie may sadden you and humor you at the same time and the way one man goes about finding closure reminds us that most of us have been involved in at least one bad relationship.
The beginning of the movie is intriguing and entertaining but as time passes it is easy to lose interest. And if this movie is a satire, I did not get it.
The movie may sadden you and humor you at the same time and the way one man goes about finding closure reminds us that most of us have been involved in at least one bad relationship.
The beginning of the movie is intriguing and entertaining but as time passes it is easy to lose interest. Perhaps if the script had been better, this would have been a dynamite film.

By: Buddhaman

I agree with MJ's review. This film is excellent! Anyone deeming a film worthy of merit based on the amount of skin they get to oogle is pitiful. The plot is excellent, the scenery on location in Buenos Aires adds to the cinematic quality. The protagonist, portrayed by David Sutcliffe is a hotty! Overall, thoroughly enjoyable!

By: Janorm

WHOA!! Where Did This One Come From?!?!?The story line is a total action packed, non-stop place to place happening of searching. It is truely heart wrenching at times. The actors are superb in their parts and portray the characters magnificantly. This is a romantic melodrama with an Alfred Hitchcock ending. This ending will literally wipe you out!! Whew!! A Must See!! This is one film for your Collection! A TOTAL F_ _ _ _ _ G RUSH!!!

By: mj

Reading other reviews, one feels pity for the "size queens" who let their frontal obsessions ruin their ability to appreciate a good movie such as this. If anything, all the scenes of Buenos Aires should make this film must viewing! In fact, Buenos Aires is a major part of the plot. It is a fascinating city, full of mystery, tragedy, history and excitement. I found the film, funny, suspenseful, surprising and thoroughly enjoyable. I wanted to be entertained and I was. Sonia Braga is great, as is David Sutcliffe and most of the rest of the cast. I would also recommend "Burnt Money". And, if all you're looking for is full frontal, I recommend going to the gay adult section instead.

By: Green Giant

By: Green Giant

By: Green Giant

By: Disappointed in NH.

"Testosterone", do not waste your time or money. I was looking forward to seeing this movie, and now regret I did.
Another boring, drawn out gay movie with a stupid ending. Give me a break.
The 10 mins. that Antonio Sabato actually shows isn't even worth the rental...

By: Green Giant

i'll admit its not the worst gay themed
film i 've ever seen but how in God's
name is this over rated over hyped piece of crap still on the best seller
list??? for one thing Antonio Sabato Jr.
is like hardly in the movie. if you sneeze
you'll miss him.

By: Green Giant

i'll admit its not the worst gay themed
film i 've ever seen but how in God's
name is this over rated over hyped piece of crap still on the best seller
list??? for one thing Antonio Sabato Jr.
is like hardly in the movie. if you sneeze
you'll miss him.

By: Green Giant

i'll admit its not the worst gay themed
film i 've ever seen but how in God's
name is this over rated over hyped piece of crap still on the best seller
list??? for one thing Antonio Sabato Jr.
is like hardly in the movie. if you sneeze
you'll miss him.

By: Prowler

Wasn't going to write a review until I read what else is up here. All the negative reviews have one thing in common -- queens obsessed with Sabato's dick.

If that's why you see movies, then there are much better options for you. And you should get a life.

Now as for this movie. First off, you have to understand that James Robert Baker wrote a whole series of meth-fueled queer trash novels. It was his forte, and this flick sticks fairly close to that material. Things don't necessarily make sense because they AREN'T SUPPOSED to follow the lives of reasonable, ordinary people.

The cast here, with one exception, does an amazing job carrying the story forward and making outlandish situations believeable. The writers and director did a great job mimicking the jump-cut, jerky style of Baker's writing, but kept the story moving.

Unfortunately, it still goes a little haywire at the end as characters step across the line of behavior, even for a Baker story. The use so prominent in Baker's stories is almost non-existent here. Adding it back in may have helped the story make better sense.

Now that last performance. Sabato sucks. Who cares about his dick? I'd have just been happy for some acceptable line readings.

Apparently the whole cast pulled together to make this flick, and Sabato dropped in for a day or two to do his scenes. It shows, and the film suffers for it. But the movie is still worth watching and has some hilarious humor to it, if you're bright enough to get the jokes.

My guess is people obsessed with Sabato's equipment just aren't that bright.

By: kwrbear

The DVD case said "Presented in Letterbox" but my DVD turned out to be full frame. (And, yes, I did check--it was NOT a problem with my T.V.) Ultimately, it looked a little squished at times when there were scenes with complete head-to-toe shots of people. There was no Set-Up menu for full frame vs. letterbox. Did anyone else have this problem??

By: Green Giant

By: Green Giant

By: Green Giant

By: BigDancd

This has got to be the worst gay film of all time. It even steals that honor from GREEN PLAID SHIRT which is now in 2nd place! This piece of crap isn't even worth the plastic they used to make the disc. If I was Antonio I would be ashamed to show my face in public. The so-called frontal nude scene (non-existent) is a blantant excuse to entice the gay buying public to buy this. If Antonio was so into making this film, he obviously lied in his interview last year in the ADVOCATE. I've seen more meat at my local butcher shop! Avoid this and instead buy LATTER DAYS, which is excellent!

By: Green Giant

it seems nowadays that any low budget/independent gay themed film that not only gets made but actually
released theatrically is awarded a badge
of honor. well TESTOSTERONE simply does not deserve it. plus Antonio Sabato Jr.'s much talked frontal nude scene is literarly so quick what was the
point of including it???

By: Green Giant

it seems nowadays that any low budget/independent gay themed film that not only gets made but actually
released theatrically is awarded a badge
of honor. well TESTOSTERONE simply does not deserve it. plus Antonio Sabato Jr.'s much talked frontal nude scene is literarly so quick what was the
point of including it???

By: Green Giant

it seems nowadays that any low budget/independent gay themed film that not only gets made but actually
released theatrically is awarded a badge
of honor. well TESTOSTERONE simply does not deserve it. plus Antonio Sabato Jr.'s much talked frontal nude scene is literarly so quick what was the
point of including it???

By: GayNewEngland.net

By: Luis Rolando

My expectations for this film were pretty low so I wasn't too disappointed with the outcome. David Sutcliffe is a good actor and a likeable leading character, but the morbid turn (no, I won't spoil it) his Dean takes ruins this.

As always, I enjoyed the performances by Jennifer Coolidge and Sonia Braga (who has never looked better), as well as Celina Font and Leo Brzezicki, but as a whole this movie simply doesn't work.

I haven't read the book but I know of it, and one specific element was left out of the movie that might've justified (even a little) Dean's behavior and disdain for Pablo. Even still, it leaves you with a sour taste in your mouth..

On a side note, it's totally worth it to see Mr. Sabato Jr. and Mr. Sutcliffe make out with men (several times.) If you must, rent this one, and only if you worship Sabato Jr. should you buy..

By: silvertron

By: dhung

Just like many of you, i went because it had Antonio Sabato in it. well, he is in approximately 10 minutes of the movie. the full frontal shot is so quick, u may miss it. The plot, acting, and storyline completely suck. It is not worth the money. Antonio's name is what theyre using to get people to watch and still it sucks!!! I wanted a refund!

By: birdman

This totally preposterous story is made only worse by idiotic dialogue, unlikable characters, and bad acting (especially on the part of the smug principle character in search of his lost love). I so despised this film that I found I could take no more near the end and left the theatre to go to the restroom. I found everything about it so utterly annoying and frustrating that I ultimately wondered how it ever got made. And to those of you out there who are like the lead character and can't get over a lover deciding to hit the road, I say in loud words, "GET A LIFE!"

By: Green Giant

the plot and the characters are interesting and never dull for a moment.
but there is one aspect of this highly publicized film that is most
disappointing. Antonio Sabato Jr.'s
frontal nude scene is so quick you'd
literarly have to have the eye of a hawk to see anything. since the distributors
of the film are using this aspect to lure
in gay man its most disappointing.

By: Green Giant

the plot and the characters are interesting and never dull for a moment.
but there is one aspect of this highly publicized film that is most
disappointing. Antonio Sabato Jr.'s
frontal nude scene is so quick you'd
literarly have to have the eye of a hawk to see anything. since the distributors
of the film are using this aspect to lure
in gay man its most disappointing.

By: Green Giant

the plot and the characters are interesting and never dull for a moment.
but there is one aspect of this highly publicized film that is most
disappointing. Antonio Sabato Jr.'s
frontal nude scene is so quick you'd
literarly have to have the eye of a hawk to see anything. since the distributors
of the film are using this aspect to lure
in gay man its most disappointing.