The Perfect Wedding

What a totally charming and fun movie. Every character was someone I liked and was interested in and the story was both lovely and loving. It was perfect for a day when I wanted something completely feel-good. I would find it impossible to be in a bad mood after watching this.

Some of had issues with the casting. I disagree with them all. First off I'm in an inter-racial marriage and can attest it's possible to be a person of color without a best friend of the same race. I can also attest it's possible for a "hunk" to fall for someone who is sweet, funny, smart, and attractive but not of equal "hunk" status.

I loved the casting and found the chemistry between the adorable Gavin (a charming Jason T. Gaffney) and nicely-flawed Paul (Eric Aragon, showing a lovely, subtle touch) to be both sweet and sexy. (By the way, I also think Jason Gaffney is pretty damned attractive.)

From the judgment of this film, being gay is not a matter of concern at all. Maybe in ten or twenty years' time this can come to be true. According to the movie, it's not a problem at all being gay. Not a sole character states any concern about it, and the loves of the gay triangle happening in the film could very well be a straight one. Only it would be hard to accommodate the situation with only three people. Taking that of, the film turns out to be very pleasurable, making you laugh as well as cry. We must forget the environment of reality. For instance, how could Gavin go to the bus station without anyone noticing, and how did he get there if no car was available. These questions abound throughout the movie, but they didn't take that smile from your face. It's a film made to pleasure, and it certainly does. No major conflict, just the usual misunderstandings of a romcom. The actors play well, and being a group of chunks doesn't make the movie less enjoyable, that's for sure. A film for all audiences. Hey straight people, that's how to look and behave toward gays, OK?

"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.

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.

"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.