Between Love & Goodbye

This film about falling in and out of love has an interesting premise: What brings men together and what tears them apart? Apart from the premise, however, it is pretty bad.

Two young hot guys (an American and a Frenchie) meet cute in a bar, decide they love each other "pour toujours" very quickly, and then, after a few years together, when one of the partners renews ties with a sibling, all begins to swiftly and dramatically unravel. From one extreme of sickeningly sweet "I thought you two were going to last," the film drops quickly into obsession, selfishness and pathology.

Most of what makes the film so annoying is that the writing is overwrought; and though I know some of the dialog is likely intentionally so, it does not ring true even in context. When the couple is falling in love, for example, the dialog seems to come straight out of Harlequin; and when they are fighting it goes towards bitchiness that goes beyond what one might expect from the characters.

The result is that one does not know whether the protagonists are meant to be understood or scorned; and the central acting certainly does not help, with two main actors who do not seem to register beyond type, and are not strong enough to effectively portray an potential Jungian undertones.

In short, I was never quite sure whether to hate or feel for these people, or which one I was to feel for if I was meant to take sides. Was it intended to be a gay "War of the Roses," or some kind of queer morality tale? Aside from one increasingly interesting performance (the lesbian roommate), and one HORRID performance (the sibling, perhaps a victim of one-note writing), there is just so little that stands out.

I decided to write this review because i see allot of negativity on this film here, of which i believe isn't deserved. "Between love & goodbye" is a small and solid film. Sure it isn't perfect, but which movie is? As the title gives away, it's about falling in love and also out of it. It features overly sweet moments between the two boys that seem too much, but if you have been in love yourself, you will recognize these little moments and know them to be true. I've read complaints about the film being too over dramatic and "unreal", which might be the case for some people, but once again, if you have lived through bad breakups as well, you'll know things can go that way and in real life. The acting is not awful. I felt it to be genuine. It's not the greatest you'll ever see but it is not bad. The bitchy sister seems over the top, but i know people who act like that, so i had no trouble accepting that performance at all. They do exist! ha ha. The film features some nice music. Personally i think there's a bit too much of it, but since the lyrics are about the relationship between the boys, it's cool. Overall, a movie worth watching. It kept coming back to me in the days after, which to me is always a good sign. 8/10.

I had just seen another Casper Andreas vehicle last night in NYC called The Big Gay Musical and found it to be a charming film. Then lo and behold I get Between Love and Goodbye in the mail as my Netflix DVD. Not realizing that Casper Andreas too wrote this and directed it. I also remember him as an actor in Slutty Summer. Here are three film entries by the same person and all different. A musical, drama and comedy starring the author himself. Quite a courageous attempt.

Now the acting in this from Simon Miller and Justin Tensen as the two lovers was excellent and natural. They seemed to have a good rapport between them. Whether in the bedroom making love, or striking out at each other, it all seemed very natural. However, you didn't know who to route for when the split comes. Now enter the sibling of one of the boys, a woman, changed from a man, and changed back to a woman and then a man again. You dislike her/him for meddling and causing the entire breakup. Role is played well by Rob Harmon. Jane Elliott as the best lesbian friend turned in a great performance. Believable throughout. And Deirdre Brennan as the Interviewer was wonderful. Cold and indifferent with absolutely no sense of humor. I loved her.

Now I will argue about the end without giving it away. I didn't like the choice of Mr. Andreas. I felt after two hours of the ups and downs in a gay marriage, there could have been hope given, especially with today's day and age and same sex marriage. It could have inspired others to believe it could happen. There can be a happy ending in a gay film. Shame on you Casper.

don't believe it, this is one really very good and watchable film. it is sensitively done and tells an interesting story between two guys Kyle and Marcel. lots of men kissing each other and having sex together, lots of lesbian contact also but its not a porno movie. Kyle's sister April plays a key role in the movie as a prostitute and moves in with kyle and marcel. the film is realistic in dealing with emotions and situations. I am straight, so cant comment on the gay side of things but this film arouses a lot of curiosity. the green card element of the story and which reaches a suspense-full ending is well thought through, the film is budget but it works. wont win any major awards and the acting is average at best (except for the guy playing marcel. the script is good but you do need to concentrate, no toilet breaks if you don't press the pause button!

I see that some people thought this was an awful movie, but I must disagree.

For me, a movie is good when it doesn't let you drift into thoughts like "wait... that's a mistake in the movie" or "argh.. that was poorly acted"... or even better "that's an unrealistic situation...".

The actors were splendid. The story was sad, yet it convinced me. The situation was a possible situation, and the character's actions and reactions don't seem to me like a movie script, but rather like something that could happen to real people. So, I think this was a good movie... I gave it 9 stars because it made me feel sad... but I won't tell you why.... watch the movie and decide for yourselves whether you like it or not...