Getting It

By: gayforplay

While it is true that whenever I see that a film's star is also its writer and director, I tend to avoid watching what I assume will be another vanity production. Sometimes, however, I decide to take a chance and watch it anyway; and occasionally I am pleasantly surprised. This is not one of those cases.
From the get-go, this film is dominated by the "performance" of one Tom Heard, who plays Jamie, an older gentleman who was once an enthusiastic local cabaret performer, but who is now attempting to recover from an upsetting break-up with his singing partner/boyfriend, by isolating himself in his apartment, belting out maudlin love songs to himself. He is not a likeable character at the onset, and does not ever become one!
The plot is such that our sad-sack crooner begins interacting with his younger neighbor, another "damaged goods" loner who is to deal with his depression due to the death of his mother, and has a journal full of sentimental "poetry" to prove it. Donato De Luca does at least provide a little spark as the sulky young neighbor, Ben.
I suppose it is debatable whether the film would have been better served by having less saccharine poetry, better song lyrics, or vocal performances beyond those exhibited by Mr. Heard. Let's cut to the chase here: if there is any reason to sit through this low-budget, low-energy fiasco of a film, I just don't Get It.

By: Amos Lassen

"GETTING IT"
Taking a Chance on Love
Amos Lassen
"Getting It" is a lovely little love story during which we watch characters grow as they mature. Jamie (writer-director-star Tom Heard) is a talented singer who after being dumped by his cabaret partner boyfriend, closes himself off from the world. He is angry and hurt and begins to sing just for himself and he decides that he is the most important person in the world. Living next door to him is Ben (Donato De Luca), a poet whose mother has died and he is unable to rise out of his depressed state. When a friend asks Jamie to reach out to Ben, the two come together to hopefully begin healing. The story is simple, but it is filled with very deep and complex emotions .
I was pulled into the film immediately and recognized some of what all of us deal with at some point in our lives. This is portrayed touchingly and with sweet humor at times. The actors and the story really make us feel for the characters. Add to that good music and you have a nice way to spend an evening.