Circuit

I'm glad I waited for the Director's Cut DVD to see "Circuit". From reading all the flames I've seen on the posts here, I dreaded seeing the movie. However, the "Director's Cut" is even longer with nearly 30 deleted scenes and very frankly, I could have watched another hour. I suppose the Circuit scene is all in the perspective of how you view it. To me, Dirk Shafer captured a true and accurate account of the entire Circuit. The acting is not all that bad. There are many notable performances. One scene in the deleted segments SHOULD have been left in...that of Hector taking an eyebrow pencil and marking the places on his face that he would like to have refurbished by plastic surgery to refurbish his youth. At this point he has a nervous breakdown. I think that would have helped explain a lot that was left out in the edited theatrical version. For those who have prurient interests, male frontal nudity and more explicit sex are also included. Locally, in my home town, Ft. Lauderdale, the drug scene in the Circuit is rampant. Maybe that's why we register more cases of HIV than any other city in the nation. The film can be brutal to watch. It's not preachy but there's a great lesson to learn and observe in this film if you're open-minded enough to accept the subjects at face value. I would suggest that that are too few good gay films being made and when one such as this is produced, "queens" (who are the most critical audience in the world) often deter new and better gay films by their over zealous comments. Give the uncut DVD a screening and make your own mind up! Don't be quick to excuse it by a few nasty comments. You might be as I, and find the film rewarding and enjoyable. As for Andre Khabbazi, this guy could make it big in movies. The character of the aging, AIDS infected, former porn star, played by Paul Lekakis, is one of the most honest portrayals I've ever seen. Kudos to William Katt, Jim Bullock, and Nancy Allen for offering their professional talents in helping to make this film first rate. Don't let me or other critics who have posted ruin you prospect of missing a good movie. See the Director's Cut on DVD and make up your own mind. I'm glad I did!

Dirk Shafer, Playgirl's man of the year a few years back has put together a little bit of heaven & hell in this nugget of gay club-life in the city of angels. Although the acting is only mediocre, the direction, script, and overall film is very good. Dirk uses just the right amount of music, drugs, sex, exploitation, and beefcake to hit the nail on the head. The story revolves around a smalltown Illinois former cop named John who moves to L.A. & discovers sex, drugs, and techno. What's also interesting is the supporting cast of William Katt, JM J. Bullock, Nancy Allen, andPaul Lekakis. The music is great as well with new cuts from Taylor Dayne, Lonnie Gordon, and a slow remake of E.G. Daily's Love in the Shadows. For those that love the circuit, for those now out of the circuit, and for those who are oblivious to the circuit, watch and learn.

A small town gay man move to big city for his inside dream. plot and story is not really important in this film. But Andre Khabazzi as Hector did great acting. He is only one character who can make this film worthy to see. But yes, if you want to see gay film, you can find this interesting. And some other characters just come and go and even unimportant scene we can see in this film. But I enjoy to see this film again, to see Andre Khabazzi or Hector play his role.

I saw this at the Reel Pride festival last November (2001), and couldn't stop thinking about it for days afterward. While it's been called a "wake-up call" to some members of the gay community it doesn't come off as didactic as it could. Instead you find yourself caring about the characters and wondering what will happen to them after the movie ends.

The only thing wrong with the film is the intended main character, i.e., the cop who leaves the repressive and hostile smalltown life for the wildlife of West Hollywood. While his character is not a static one, the changes that take place in his life seem to come as a result of his passivity rather than any active move on his part. This isn't helped by the bland and vanilla acting of Jonathan Wade-Drahos. Andre Khabbazi as the jaded Hector on the other hand brings much to his character, and so Hector becomes the one your heart goes out to. Wade-Drahos acting aside, this is a well-told story, and one that merits a wide release. Check it out as soon as you can. As for me, I can't wait for the video.

I went to the premier of "Circuit" at Outfest 2001 and left the theater feeling somewhat overwhelmed, which is a good thing. The story is about a smart, handsome gay cop from a small closed minded town who moves to Los Angeles to live an openly gay life. After his first party in the Hollywood Hills, he becomes friends with a gay male escort and falls into the circuit party scene which slowly tears him apart. He becomes obsessed with muscles, drugs, parties, and the fast gay West Hollywood night life which eventually ruins his personality and spiritual growth. This film has a special kind of honesty that is both good and bad. Good because it can serve as an awakening towards certain gay men that live to abuse themselves in the party world and bad because it may encourage the circuit lifestyle as cool or glamorous, which in reality can become the complete opposite and ruin peoples lives. The ending left me feeling angry and sad about the circuit scene, and I hope it will for others too. The story line has the ability to leave an important message to certain people that desperately need it.