Broadway Damage

Two friends, a young gay man and his straight girl friend share an apartment in Manhattan and try to deal with life in the big city. Mara Hobel is very funny as the fag hag friend and the movie is light and comical as it explores the characters lives and loves. Seeing the film in a packed house of gay men in Manhattan made it clear that the filmmaker was pretty on target as the audience laughed with recognition through most of the film. A very fun movie!

Two years ago, in high school, I did some community theater shows in a theater that was also used by the actress Mara Hobel as part of her acting school for children (in suburbs outside of NYC). There was a big bulletin board showing pictures of Mara's film work, including of course "Mommie Dearest," (she was Baby Christina) and a movie I had never heard of, "Broadway Damage." I didn't see it until a few months ago, and being a student at NYU, I was able to play "spot that building" since much of the movie was filmed in NYU's surrounding neighborhood. But on to more important things: Regardless of where I grew up or where I live now, this is one adorable movie. When it was over, I felt like I wanted to hug the world. And it's great when movies have such a positive effect on you. Watch this one with people you love. 9/10

"Broadway Damage" is a sweet confection spun around the the classic gay triangle: the lovable Hunk, the fag hag Chunk, and the best pal Lunk secretly in love with the Hunk. More corn syrup is ladled on thick when Hunk and Chunk move in together in modern Greenwich Village, no less. Apparently set in the present, "Damage" feels like the kind of screwball romantic comedy that Hollywood never really made. You half expect the cast of "Wonderful Town" to come marching down Sheridan Square humming a showtune.

Combing the obits finds them a bohemian squat lately owned by a deceased young actor - they've hit the real estate jackpot! No one mentions, however, that their good fortunes are probably due to the tenant's death from AIDS. In true fairy tale style, the dive is transformed into an ultra cool pad in one brief montage segment. (You know how talented those fellas are with decorating!)

Despite some modern kinks (Hunk's love trouble, Chunk's job trouble, and Lunk's Hunk jones) flick never can get too serious about much. And dialogue never really cracks like genre demands. Fade out is just as we'd expect. And no one suffers much damage - on Broadway or elsewhere.

This film is a breath of fresh air in so many ways. It makes you feel good, and the production quality is stunningly brilliant for a low-budget film. You don't even think of the film budget when you watch it because everything is so completely first-rate, including the photography, editing, original music, and the wonderful performances.

"Broadway Damage" is a lovely old-fashioned romance, but since it involves two men, you haven't seen this film before no matter how many romantic comedies you've seen. This film's adorable main characters are people you would love to know, and due to the excellent decision to film this on location in actual buildings in Greenwich Village, you really feel like you have just stepped into the lives of the main characters.

The story is a typical romance, but it has so many fun and charming moments along the way that you just hate to see the film end. The original music by Cindy Soltoff is absolutely reason enough to watch the film. Hugh Panaro, who has gone to great fame on Broadway since this movie was made, plays the hot object of one main character's affections... until it is learned that he isn't what he seems. But alas, a happy ending is around the corner anyway, and the ending is just so beautiful and charming, that you really don't care if you may have figured out how it all ends. I didn't figure out the ending, but I know people who did. All of us were totally charmed by the ending irregardless of whether or not we figured it out ahead of time. We need more joyful endings like this one. It's a shame they are so rare.

There's not too much in this film which is challenging or thought provoking. It is light and entertaining - there are a few small laughs - a few musical numbers (although not enough to justify the title) and a few gentle plot twists.

It is a bit clichéd gay - you could say gay for straight people. Intimate moments are very tame and usually only hinted at. It is certainly safe for your maiden aunt.

Acting, and cinematography are handled in a workmanlike, but unremarkable way. The lead, Michael Lucas, is good to look at but the director rarely takes advantage of his physique.

Scripting is the film's achilles heel. It can be ponderous and dreary. While other parts seem rushed and unfinished. Too often dramatic tension is wasted particularly in the closing scenes.

Not a great film but not awful either.