Beautiful Something

We are back in the utterly strange and utterly human night-world of director Joseph Graham (Strapped). This time, in particular, men are trying to make art at the same time that they are trying to make connections, and they are trying not to sacrifice one for the other, though in the end they often do. These characters are who you and I are when no one is looking. That is the wonderful and unsettling thing about Graham's work: there is no movie-like artifice, no clichéd interactions you can see coming. Emotions erupt at odd times, as emotions do, and under it all lies a fateful loneliness that it is Graham's special task to explore, as he did so well in Strapped. This is another must-see.

Brian is a frustrated poet who having lost his muse, now has also lost his inspiration. He seeks solace in easy love – that never works. Then there is Jim who is in a relationship with an older sculptor but he feels trapped. An ageing actor's agent, Bob, also cruises the streets in his limo looking for the young boys that will fill the void in his life.

On one night all the stories come together but in a way that is far from obvious and with enough drama to make you want to know more.

Now this also features a fair amount of bedroom rumpy pumpy and it is done in a realistic way. The actors are all excellent here and the direction is spot on. This is a film from Joseph Graham who you may remember from 'Strapped'. In some ways there are recurrent themes that were explored there but this is still an original, subtle, in your face and compelling piece of cinema that I can easily recommend.

Some people say this film has little or no plot but then you are missing the point of the movie. This is not about sex yet rather a single moment in the act where something beautiful takes place whether it be the act it self, a shared emotion during sex or what takes place after the act is completed. That moment of bliss. Some spend the rest of their lives trying to chase it repeatedly (Brian/Drew,) while others run away in fear or denial (Jim/Dan.) Or maybe you want to share in someone else's adventure(Bob/Sergio?) However you choose to seek and find your bliss hopefully you discover it with someone you love.

What I loved most about "Beautiful Something" is the way it accurately portrays the baseline of gay life in the US; random sex, mercenarial encounters, dysfunctional relationships and this constant expectation that there is always something better just out of grasp. This could be applied to the human experience as well, but in gay culture it is reality on steroids. Sex is used as an intro, a bartering tool, a commodity and at times even a weapon. The person you go to bed with is hardly EVER the same person you wake up to. The viewpoint from the main character, a frustrated writer, echos that of an entire community. The ending isn't sugar-coated or campy...it's a conclusion that you either accept or reject at your own demise. Great story-line, believable dialogue and great acting from everyone (even those who are clearly non-actors).

The movie feels a little underwritten, like they needed to work a little harder on making the plot flow. But I want to HIGHLY recommend the director's earlier movie, "Strapped." It was also made up multiple stories that came together in one narrative, but it was much more focused and fun.