Noah's Arc: Jumping the Broom

"Noah's Arc", the Logo network's sassy, fizzy gay comedic soap about an African-American writer, his steady boyfriend and assorted friends and ex-paramours, wasn't exactly trend-setting or groundbreaking...it had just enough bitchy banter and stolen kisses for the two seasons it ran. Expanded to feature-length, the romantic ups-and-downs of these mercurial characters becomes wearing long before the final celebration. Flashy, flitting Noah (Darryl Stephens) is about to marry dimply, masculine Wade (Jensen Atwood) at Wade's family's vacation home in Martha's Vineyard, but the wedding weekend is disrupted when the invited guests find themselves mired in romantic indecision and petty jealousies. A handful of the questions raised about relationships (trust, commitment, and honesty to one's own self as well as to his partner) transcend the gay scenario; the writing is often funny and often biting. However, the answers we get are usually in the form of a retort which skirts the issue, followed by a friendly hug, a chaste kiss, or a klutzy pratfall. The jubilation felt at the end is awfully sweet, though it too seems more like frosting than actual cake. ** from ****

Noah and Wade invite their friends to Martha's Vineyard (Massachusetts) for their wedding. This feature-length version of the TV show gives the characters a chance to learn more about each other - and themselves - while living in close quarters. Relationships are tested and there are plenty of surprises. Alcohol is proved to be a reliable truth serum leading to temptation, confessions and some life-changing drunk dialing. The script is bad and the acting is worse (much like the TV show). But the movie has some touching moments and laugh-out-loud lines, especially from Alex, the most animated of the fiends. Die-hard fans of the TV show will love the movie. Others...not so much.

I was fortunate enough to see this movie at the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival; and it was well worth it. The movie takes place a few months after the end of season two, and neatly ties up all the loose plot strings from the TV show. Everything that made the TV show so much fun is in the movie; right down to Noah's lips & Wade's rock hard……. abs.

The premise of the movie is that Wade has asked Noah to marry him in his family's house in Martha's Vineyard, and Noah has brought his ARC to keep himself afloat. (I know very punny) You have Chance & Eddie there trying to work through their issues of commitment, and boredom? Alex taking charge in a Patton-esquire manner to make sure the wedding is perfect, while still trying to keep in contact with Trey (& their new child) via laptop. Ricky and his boy toy for the weekend (one of Chance's students!) causing drama as well. Baby Gat even shows to make thing even more complicated and insane.

For the most part, the movie hits far more than it misses. It's sweet and crazy like trying to eat cotton candy dipped in caramel while hanging upside down on a tight rope! If you are in the mood for a light playful romp, then you'll enjoy this movie.

This was a Wonderfully done continuation of a ground breaking series. The movie was all any Noah's fan was waiting for. If you weren't a fan seeing this movie will make you an instant fan... The acting was brilliant and showed much growth. I hope this is not the end for theses guys as Noah's Arc. There were unexpected twist and turns. The actors are a great team together and the story was well written by Mr. Polk. This should not be the end of the series. There is so much more we could find out about Noah, Wade, Alex, Trey, Chance, Eddie and of course Ricky. Noah's Arc Jumping the Broom is a must see. The strong showing over the weekend should make the Powers that Be see it can be released nation wide and not just 5 theaters. The movie grabs you from the opening scene to the final moment. I highly recommend this movie to any and everyone to go and see it and make up your own mind.

Classify this one somewhere between "Showgirls" and "Glitter." Bad writing, worse direction, and acting that defies description combine to make this the most pleasant hour and forty minutes I've spent in a movie theater - and I found myself wishing it would go on forever. This is the kind of movie where the wardrobe gets applause from the audience. Every possible plot point is thrown against the cinematic wall like spaghetti to see what will stick. The characterizations change from "street wise" to "metaphysical discussion of the meaning of life" sometimes within one single line of dialog. Everyone laughs and cries; no one convincingly. Everybody drinks; some throw up.