Un soupçon de rose

Just like television these days, gay-themed movies are becoming a more popular genre. There aren't very many gay-themed movies that are actually realistic with a decent script and acting. Too many screen writers fall into writing stereotypical characters with story lines that revolve around AIDS or clubbing. Finally, Hollywood is making some good movies that are actually enjoyable. Touch of Pink is about a gay Canadian living in London with his boyfriend. He's not only gay, but his family is devout to his Indian culture. His family has no idea about him being gay until his mom comes to visit him, hoping to find a spouse for him.

The movie is fun and often comical. Kyle MacLachlan plays the main characters imaginary friend. MacLachlan does a great job, and the character's writing is witty and fun, but the character gets more annoying as the movie goes on. The movie tries to recreate a modern-day Cary Grant movie, but only makes it half way. In the end, the movie is fun and enjoyable, and doesn't fall into all the pitfalls of making gay-themed movies.

I saw this film at Sundance and was completely surprised at how much I loved it. I am not always into gay-themed films (I'm a straight woman), but this film is really for everyone (open-minded, that is). The story is not new in that it's a romantic comedy, but the journey of the characters (the two leads, and the mother) is a good one. It was funny, and it made me cry...the perfect combination for a film. The actors were great. Especially Kyle MacLachlan, who was SO funny and SO good. I have loved him since "Twin Peaks," but this was just above and beyond anything he has done recently. And Kristen Holden-Reid is my new favorite actor. He has a great presence on screen, and pulled off a flawless English accent. I completely recommend this film.

Sure, the underlying plot of a son hiding his sexuality from his conservative mother isn't original and completely unpredictable, but there is a lot more to it, unlike many successful Hollywood movies. There's no nonstop violence and destruction, celebrity appearances, explicit sex scenes, or crude humor--not that those always make bad movies.

The characters have varied depth (as do real people), the dialogue is great and sometimes even clever, and of course there are some good laughs. It's tasteful and maybe a little bit 'artsy', but that's completely okay. The details of the plot are different enough to keep it interesting. Some touching character secrets are revealed. 'Too bad it didn't have a wider release in theaters or more well-placed publicity. I think it would've been more successful. I definitely rank it as one of my favorites.

As always, don't let the opinions of strangers be the only deciding factor for seeing a movie. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't.

I noticed the DVD of TOUCH OF PINK at my local Tower store and decided to rent it. Home yesterday with a bad head cold, I popped it into the DVD machine and lost the next hour and 40 minutes to a movie of subtle charm and lovely sentiment.

Alim (Jimi Mistry) is a still photographer working on movie sets in in London where he lives with his lover, Giles (Kristen Hodlen-Reid). A huge fan of vintage movies, Alim has created an imaginary best friend, in the form of Cary Grant (Kyle MacLachlan), who is always at hand to give him advice on what clothing to wear and how to wear them, often helping him out of awkward social situations. Alim is a bit dreary, and at first you think he certainly doesn't deserve the long- suffering Giles, who after a long series of sexual conquests, has finally settled down into domestic bliss with Alim and is very much in love with him.

Meanwhile Alim's mother, Nuru, is unhappily living in Toronto in the shadow of her social climbing sister, Dolly (Veena Sood). Dolly is gleefully spending a great deal of her successful husband's fortune on the upcoming marriage of her only son. Nuru is one of those unfortunate malcontents who never checks her feelings before saying something rude and mean-spirited, and for this bad habit, she's rather disliked by her sister's catty social circle. Depressed with all the attention her sister is receiving, Nuru decides to jump on a plane and visit her son in London. The only problem is she doesn't know he's gay.

Once in London, Nuru's rudeness is aimed at Giles. She is wildly insensitive to her son's life and home, and in general clueless about his life. Giles works hard to break down the barriers and succeeds, taking Nuru out for a day in London, where she has a wonderful time. But in short order, she is startled to find out that Alim and Giles are lovers and she angrily flees back to Toronto, leaving her son miserable and bad-tempered. Giles tries very hard to cheer Alim. Caught up in her own depression, Nuru is nearly catatonic upon coming home. Dolly knows something is wrong, but Nuru won't talk about it.

About the only person who can comfort Alim is Cary Grant. As Alim and Giles relationship continues to tank, Alim decides to go home for the wedding of his cousin. And then Giles turns up in Toronto with all the attendant comic possibilities implied.

I'm surprised at some of the cynical comments about this sweet and gentle comedy of clashing cultures. There's nothing laugh-out-loud funny in this film, which is fine with me. It certainly is a lovely film about reconciliation and acceptance. Nuru is one of the most annoying mothers I've encountered in the movies. She's beautiful and still young, and yet she's so caught up in her culture of getting married to a successful person. Any prospective son or daughter-in-law will have their work cut out for them with this mother-in-law. But when Giles takes her out for the day, she melts and her defenses disappear. The walls come back up in short order, but again fade in the final moments. Giles is certainly a dream lover, but his essential goodness never descends into sainthood. Alim is a bit of a drudge, and he's certainly not very sure of himself. But he's got Cary Grant to keep an eye out for him, and who could ask for anything more? Kyle MacLachlan is wonderfully assured, never overdoing his affectionate impression of the movie legend, delivering his lines effortlessly.

Director Ian Iqbal Rashid steers his fine cast through the thickets of this social comedy with assurance and restraint. I found myself beaming idiotically through this adorable comedy of manners. Resist it not.

A remarkably charming homage to a dozen 40's, 50's and 60s romantic comedies. The plot is a standard coming-out-to-mom story, not particularly surprising, but mom and auntie are brilliant. Entire scenes are lifted from Doris Day/Katherine Hepburn/Cary Grant movies.

Kyle MacLachlan as the spirit of Cary Grant mentors a gay Indian man in Toronto and London while the boyfriend charms the sari off of mom. The ambitious and acquisitive relatives plan a ridiculous marriage while the alienated son clings to an integrity no one else bothers with.

At last, a story that's not poignant or heartwarming, just funny and good.