The Perfect Wedding

"The Perfect Wedding" is a film for select viewers, as the main characters in the film are gay and it's clearly a gay romantic film. However, if you are open-minded you're sure to have a terrific time watching this very sweet film. The movie is not a big-budget Hollywood release though despite its humble origins and relatively cost, it does deliver because of the writing as well as some of the acting--particularly by James Rebhorn (in one of his last films) and the very handsome Eric Aragon.

Eric (Aragon) is coming home for Christmas...not just because of the holiday but so that the family can plan the wedding for his sister, Alana. However, one of the guests coming as well is a very uncomfortable one for Eric...his former lover...a man he clearly wronged due to his infidelity and alcoholism. Eric has been clean and sober but this is still going to be a difficult situation. It's also difficult for his -ex...so difficult he recruits a friend to come along and pretend to be his steady boyfriend. However, soon friend finds himself falling for Eric and vice-versa...a very, very difficult and messy situation! Eric clearly does NOT want to continue hurting people and works to avoid this...but there are definite sparks. How does this as well as the wedding work out in this romantic film?

The film is well worth seeing...and I recommend you check Netflix to see if it's still streaming. My only reservations are that the film is not perfectly polished and 'big'...but who really needs that if the romance works so well like it does in this one?!

By the way, if you are wondering, when the film was made in 2012, gay marriage was not legally recognized in Florida. And, if you are wondering, yes, Sarasota, Florida (the location where the film was shot) IS paradise...and I enjoyed seeing that a nice film was made only a few minutes from my house.

"The Perfect Wedding" presents a simple, straight-forward romance that doesn't try to be anything it isn't. The entire cast is wonderful, the production values are high, and the film combines the straight story line and the gay story line perfectly. The impending wedding of the straight sister perfectly balances the blossoming romance and drama of the gay brother. I've been craving a gay romance without all the tortured souls, internalized homophobia, and convoluted drama. This fit the bill perfectly. I hope you enjoy it as well.

Also be sure to watch "Plan B" (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1408972/), a great romantic comedy that will really move you.

I loved loved loved this movie. I thought it was quite well written. One of my favorite things about the film was the multiple story lines that were balanced perfectly. Everyone had a fair shot to tell their story. And the central love story was simply amazing. I caught myself crying many times. I really loved this movie. So much better than your typical gay-themed movie.

My very favorite thing about this movie was that it used a device that author Connie Willis calls that "hat trick" or "hat joke." What that means is that a line or set of lines is repeated throughout the story-line but in different ways, changing the meaning, and intensifying it.

I would have given it a 10 but some of the acting was only so-so. Lead actor Eric Aragon was one of those so-so actors--sometimes he was GOOD and sometimes he was just okay. But he tried hard and he was SO much better than a lot actors in a LOT of gay movies that I've seen. I also dearly loved sweet Jason T. Gaffney. He brought so much to his role.

I was surprised at how awesome Kristine Sutherland (of Buffy fame) was. She knocked it out of the park. And of course James Rebhorn was excellent, as always.

Everyone was gorgeous. Esp Eric Aragon, Jason Gaffney, and Roger Stewart. Yes, the scene with Eric in the towel might be considered gratuitous, but I would watch this over and over for that scene! LOL!

Beautiful romantic movie!! We need more movies with gay characters like this one where the fact that their gay is just a part of who they are, showing we're just regular people! I'll be watching for these people in the future!

This film could have been make for Hallmark. While it's predictable, one dimensional, and not overly engaging, there are some nice elements, especially since it was made in 2012. The same-sex romance was completely normalized and had nothing to do with the conflict. This was before same-sex marriage was legal in the US. Not all of the actors are perfect models types. There are also some unanswered questions. I'm not even sure why some are in the storyline. If you want something light in the background where everyone's happy in the end, go for it!

It was so cute and sweet without being flamboyant or over the top like so many gay themed movies are. It also lacked the 'drowning in angst' that is the other extreme for gay movies, where it seems like there is simply no upside to being gay and all you can do is hate yourself before you commit suicide or die of a drug overdose. It wasn't just the romance I liked, though - I also liked the straight sister's fiancé and her little wedding in the backyard, and the parents dealing with a family medical issue. I understand why some people wouldn't like it, because they equate 'cute' with 'sappy'. And that's fine. But for anyone who likes cute and sweet and a little fluffy, I'd highly recommend this film. You can find it on Netflix to stream.