Say Uncle

I am a gay man in the South, and while I have spent a good part of my life working with children as a camp counselor, daycare worker, and therapist, I STILL don't think I can empathize with the character Peter Paige portrays in this movie. For one, is he retarded? I don't think any grown, single, childless man who isn't just at least a little mentally challenged would think it was appropriate to spend that much time with strangers' children without good reason. Also, this character seems REALLY mentally unbalanced. He blacks out, lies about his background, cannot form a stable romantic attachment, becomes detached from reality, can only relate to children, and has what can only be described as a hyper-obsession with his godchild. I'm thinking Kathy Najimy's character in the film is right...he DOES fit the profile of a pedophile.

I don't know where Peter Paige was going with this movie, but I think he missed his mark. I rented this film, hoping for something that would break down the stereotype that gay men are freaks and pedophiles. Instead, this movie just made my skin crawl. I would NEVER, EVER let my child near a man like Paul Johnson.

Ick.

-s-

Some funny lines and smart commentary in this low-budget comedy about a young gay man--an overgrown kid in an adult's body--who is left rudderless after his best friends move to Japan with his beloved godson; totally enamored of and devoted to children in general, our hero starts hanging around the playground, where a single man with no kids causes red flags to wave in front of the resident moms. Writer-director-co-producer-star Peter Paige has some interesting things to say about unmarried men in our society who adore--and can relate to--the innocence of childhood yet no have little ones of their own. Unfortunately, the film's second-half is pretty much consumed by the rampant paranoia of the playground flock; this material is all too real for a little comedy to handle, and one tends to recoil from it even though the satiric points Paige makes are thorough and justified. ** from ****

Re: Peter's movie debut This is a wonderful film about a horrific subject , ( eerily topical at the time of screening at the Los Angeles Outfest film festival. ) and one that very few would dare to tackle.. Peter Paige takes on that challenge and in doing so creates a moving and stunning film.

In his first feature, Peter as the writer, director and lead actor, takes us on a kaleidoscopic ride with a young gay man who by attempting to process grief crawls into denial and reverts to the safety and innocence of childhood. And in his naiveté unknowingly generates false accusations of pedophilia.

It would seem impossible to find comedic elements in such a film but Peter manages to do it masterfully and with great finesse while still voicing a profound statement of his own.

Kathy Najimi provides much of the vehicle for that humor in the unlikely role of a homophobic housewife and does it skillfully as if by second nature. The rest of the cast with each of their own unique talents create credibility to a film that beats with wildly with emotion, pathos and ultimate triumph.

Technically, this film is well done, avoiding the usual genre clichés of most first-time gay directors. However, overall it is an uncomfortable mess. What is it trying to say? We are supposed to feel sympathy for a lead character who performs one act of stupidity after another? Anger for a mother who has every right to assume this borderline-mentally-ill man could harm her child?

What grown man in his right mind would hang out in playgrounds with children, and not expect the inevitable results? The lead is just plain creepy.

Supporting roles are uneven. The co-worker/admirer goes from bitchy to "honey" in ONE week? Najimy portrays a concerned mother as a stereotypical gay-hating shrew. The "boss" is a cartoon character. Then we have the very grounded best female friend. (Well, not so grounded...she gives this borderline retarded man a NUDE picture of her own toddler - dressed up in cowboy gear??!!)

Paige is a talented actor, but I question his writing skills, and the actual intention of this film.

This film is about a gay man who likes interacting with children, and hence being mistaken for a paedophile.

I find this film very impressive. The cinematography is excellent, the set designs are very well composed and visually attractive. The most important thing is that the plot is outstanding.

It deals with many social issues. It looks at how one person jumping into conclusions can cause so much bias and distorted viewpoints. It looks at how one vocal and persuasive person can influence the crowd, creating a herd effect not dissimilar to what Hitler was able to do. It examines how people are protective of children in such a way that they would rather accuse the good than to miss one bad guy. It also looks at how gay men are robbed of their rights to adopt, or to be near children because of the mistaken idea of "homosexuals have to be paedophiles".

I am immensely impressed by this film. It touches me and I am sure it will touch you too.