Jeffrey

Contrary to most viewers, I found "Jeffrey" to be a singularly pleasant experience all the way through. It sags a bit in the middle, but then, please name a movie that doesn't?

It starts off like a protracted confessional; gay waiter Jeffrey (Steven Weber) waxing neurotic (in some telling vignettes) about the danger of having sex in the age of AIDS. He decides to work out instead. Meeting Mr. Exactly Right in the gym gives him pause, though. Especially when the guy is the delectable Steve (Michael T.Weiss), all muscle and chiseled grin. Jeffrey's friends advise him to reconsider his celibacy, and give it a go. It takes Jeffrey around 1 hour and 20 minutes of screen-time to do so. Had he succumbed to Steve right away, there would have been no movie! There is a sitcom-like feel to this story; obstructions and cracks are neatly wall-papered over in the name of light-hearted comedy. Darius' angelic reappearance towards the end smacks of opting for the easy way out. How else would Jeffrey have seen the error of his ways? It's the least convincing scene in the movie. Still, everything else is both funny and touching. The fantasy game-show is nice, the "Hoe- Down for AIDS" is a scathingly funny piss-take on charity-events, while Sterling's banter and relentless quips are wonderful:

"Martha Stewart says that as long as you can make a nice, dried flower arrangement - nothing else matters!!

Darius is a believable character, Steve is the hunk of the year, and although Steven Weber doesn't set the room on fire as Jeffrey, I found him to be exactly in character. After all, Jeffrey is SUPPOSED to be a rather ordinary guy. Why Steve would go for him, though, is a bit of a mystery. Their subsequent affair would make for an interesting sequel. It would probably all turn sour in the end. Then again...

I first saw this film on TV, and was gobsmacked (a British expression!) at Patrick Stewart's performance- this is totally unlike anything else I have seen him in.

However, I soon discovered that there many more superb performances in Jeffrey... from the smallest roles (usually played by bigger names than you'd expect!) to the main roles entrusted to Stephen Weber & Michael Weiss. I managed to have a marvelous time just star spotting!

I found this so hilariously funny in some scenes, and yet full of pathos in others that I ended up laughing & crying at the same time. In the end I just had to buy it, so I can watch it as often as I want. Be broadminded, and give this film a go... it won't disappoint.

This is one of my favorite movies. This movie takes a very serious subject and presents it in a very light-hearted manner. There were times when I wasn't sure if I should have been laughing or crying. My favorite scenes had much to do with the quasi-comical nature in which AIDs is presented, and how each character acts, reacts, and is affected by the sickness. Rest assured, this movie will keep you interested not only with its story line but with the surprise cameo appearances by some of today's best actors.

Patrick Stewart gives an outstanding performance as "Sterling," however, it is Michael T. Weiss who steals the show! Not only does he look incredible in white spandex, but his performance is incredibly believable. Whether you are a Weiss fan or not, this movie is a must see! Lanie, NY

Seeing and writing a review of Jeffrey 23 years after the film came out and now having the perspective of history I can only come to the conclusion that life is truly a lottery. Some people I knew who were diagnosed with AIDS in the early 80s are still here to tell the tale. Others are in the HIV+ status and have never developed the disease. And others I knew were diagnosed and went in weeks. They're all part of fabric of our lives, there stories should be remembered and told.

Jeffrey is a mostly comic film that turns serious in the last 20 minutes or so. Steven Weber in the title role is a 30 something gay man who has met the man of his dreams as so many did in the gym. Michael T. Weiss however has just been diagnosed as HIV+. For those unfamiliar he's been exposed the antibodies to the HIV virus have been discovered and he could develop the disease. Could, but that's the crapshoot of life.

Anyway he's decided to be celibate and fill his life with other things. But could it be too late romantically because HIV+ status or not, these two look fated to be mated.

Patrick Stewart looks like he's having a ball camping it up as Weber's older gay friend Jeffrey. Then Stewart gets deadly serious as he faces burying his young partner Bryan Batt. His scene with Weber in the hospital is just classic.

I have to give mention to Nathan Lane who chooses to practice his art mostly for the stage. He has a great part as a not so celibate priest. His scene as Weber seeks some spiritual guidance is also quite classic.

I think the moral of the story is that when you find a soulmate grab that person of whatever gender and hold on as tight as you can. That's Jeffrey's story and it's well told.

I like this movie-- I liked it when it came out and I still enjoy it today-- however, many people watching it nowadays have no idea it's been vandalized-- censored-- edited for "family" consumption.

I remember well the fantasy sequence at the "Hoedown for AIDS" benefit party when the "cowboys" and "indians" dance; it was a completely over-the-top burlesque romp with the square-dance caller announcing positively obscene moves. This blast of color and action was in counterpoint to the rather staid, boring benefit party and it was marvelously conceived and executed.

It is now a drab remnant of its former self with all its verve and hilarity removed-- as though someone had cut off parts of a man's anatomy.

Why?

We get fairly explicit material verbally during the movie-- like the hilarious fantasy phone call Jeffrey has with his parents-- but for some reason we no longer are allowed to see suggestions of gay sex-- even those presented in the spirit of fun and fantasy. This is wrong.

I just thought people should know.