Angora Ranch

No, this is not another version on the Brokeback Mountain theme though the title might give that impression. This little Indie film made on a shoestring budget is more like an updated Farmer's Daughter story and as such it has some charm.

Justin (the very hunky Thomas Romano) is an ad executive whose father sends him on his first solo run to a place in Texas. While driving to his appointment Justin swerves to avoid a rabbit in the road and his car gets stuck in a ditch that just happens to be in front of the home of Jack (Paul Bright, who also wrote and directed the film) and his loony senile father. Jack's life partner died a few years back and he is determined his plight in life is to live in solitude as caretaker for his father. Justin is invited to spend the night while his car is fixed by the local tow truck/mechanic. And the story unfolds from there into a May December romance that while it may not be acted very well at all, has its moments of warmth. The plot has enough twists to keep the attention span enduring the amateur acting status (both fathers figure significantly in surprising ways) and the cast of animals and eccentricities maintain attention. But the eye candy provided by Thomas Romano is the strong point - if only he could act.... Grady Harp

Okay, admittedly the acting, pace and dialog are not up to par with some high budget movie. That's part of the charm of "indie" films, isn't it?

Putting aside the merits of the the physical attractiveness of some of the actors, the story is good on. Not only is this positive about overcoming fears/anxieties/hangups about age differences; it emphasizes the good and bad aspects of the family responsibilities and relationships and tensions between parents and children. These are realities, just as the awkwardness of some dialog and acting reflect what actually happens between and among people, whatever their sexual identity.

ANGORA RANCH is not a great film but it's at least a passably good one and worth watching. I felt better after seeing it than when I watched EATING OUT.

I would really love to believe that in the hundreds of little redneck hamlets in the State of Texas I'd dearly love for one like where Paul Bright and Tim Jones live and where Bright can fall in love with young Thomas Romano and have no fear of reprisal. It's what makes this Texas based gay film a true fantasy. But having said that it is a nice fantasy.

Young Romano works for his father in the advertising business based in Austin and Kyle Evans the father is forever on his case. He can't seem to do anything right. Evans is also in an incredible state of denial as far as his son's sexual orientation is.

On assignment from his father to meet with a client Romano's car breaks down avoiding hitting a white rabbit nowhere near the size of Harvey. It is the special pet of Paul Bright who lives with his father Tim Jones and is still mourning the loss of a life partner. He's got some additional responsibilities taking care of Jones who is in first stage of Alzheimer's Disease.

Romano and Bright are soon in love and in the sack, but both have some severe father issues to deal with.

Angora Ranch is a pleasant enough film. I liked all the players especially young Mr. Romano on many levels. I hope that Angora Ranch does not remain his sole film credit.

Though I want so much to believe there is a tolerant and accepting town like this somewhere in the state that elects Rick Perry and Ted Cruz.

Just saw this film tonight in a one time benefit screening at the Arbor Theater in Austin, Texas. From there it goes to DVD. This is a cute film, really funny in places. It's really heavy on dialog, fortunately it's nicely written. Some of the acting scenes feel clumsy, a few emotional transitions don't feel right. But the actors are all appealing and the rabbits and other animals on the ranch where it takes place are a welcome addition. The film focuses on the two men and their love affair despite an age difference of 20 years and on their relationships with their fathers. This is a pleasant film, often funny, never boring. I would recommend it to gay audiences or straight ones. It is not sexually explicit, pretty tame.

First off, it seems that Tim Jones, the executive producer and a actor in this film, passed away in August of 2006. May he rest in peace, and thank you for having made the film. Critiques are fine, but I also want to point out that, regardless of constructive criticism, that these people made the film at ALL puts them a far sight ahead of most people. Congrats and cudos to the entire cast & crew!

That said...

This has some good potentials, but suffered from pace issues in several places. Pregnant pauses that should have been picked out by a decent editor made the film drag. The audience would certainly have preferred a shorter film that moved at more brisk a pace. Some of the dialogue is trite, some of it awkward, and too often the blocking looks as though it was made for stage. The best scenes are between the two leads when they forget to act and just have conversation, while they're getting to know each other.

The filmmaker intended to have fun with it, and it does demonstrate a somewhat surreal whimsical feeling, but we could have had more constant reminders, whether via some mechanism, lense coloring, or something to remind us not to expect reality. Then the departures might not have been so taxing.

Did I enjoy the DVD? Yes, despite the flaws (and myself) I did. But I wouldn't wittingly have parted with $27 for a copy, except to support the work.

It's a good first draft. I'd have re-edited, re-shot some scenes... but that would mean remaking the film altogether in this case. The expenses were obviously minimal by Hollywood standards. With some fine-tuning and rewrites, maybe some more outside help, this could have been a much better movie.

I applaud the effort. It's good to see gay independent filmmakers not falling back on cheap sex sells. Now to lose the clichés.

To The Writer/Director: Paul, there ARE some homo men who don't have gay mannerisms. They may even be a substantial portion of the population. They're just inherently unseen. It might have been nice to show this as well, and set another example of tolerance in the process, as you did by this remarkable town you've created. Get ahold of me before you start your next production. I'd be glad to pitch in!