Another Gay Movie

AGM could easily have been a flop, as many movies in its genre have been. But plenty of comic ideas, a refreshing sense of fun, hilarious sets, good acting and direction, and less attitude kept this film from the midpoint decay and low sustain that can hurt such films.

The director went for some hot action scenes which can be hard to pull off in a comedy. But the director made them work enjoyably without losing the comic energy. Eat your heart out, QAF!

I saw AGM as a part of Seattle's International Film Festival. The big audience very thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not Rocky Horror, but it might be a sleeper classic of a whole new thang.

The title ANOTHER GAY MOVIE barely scratches the eyes out of how campy and ridiculous this movie is. They just don't come any more flamboyant. If this movie were a dude, he would be sneezing glitter.

Sometimes, a non-stop string of dirty, juvenile, inappropriate jokes does a body good. I laughed until my stomach hurt. This film is AMERICAN PIE for confirmed bachelors and, despite its over-the-top debauchery, has an uplifting aura about it I can't quite explain. Watching porn models trying to go (somewhat) legit is also a belly buster.

Best enjoyed with cosmos or some other party favor that tickles your ... whatever you like to have tickled.

Nor is it just "another one." It's an unabashed, silly comedy where being gay is strictly a non-issue.

It's also a non-stop string of sex jokes from beginning to end, rather like a queer "American Pie" or "Porky's." In the showing I attended, it looked like a 100% gay audience, so it was interesting to take a laugh-meter reading of their response. I'd say about a third belly-laughter, another third moderate chuckles, and the rest sort of just sat there.

Director-screenplay writer Todd Stephens attempts spoof every sex situation imaginable, with varying degrees of success. There's a dramatic scene from his own "Edge of Seventeen," along with other pop film and TV sitcom episodes. All become grist for Stephens' raunchy, horny mill.

It's a loud, insane, in-your-face frolic that at times assaults the senses. The result: a new low--or high--in bad taste, depending upon your point of view.

For sure, it's not just another gay movie; rather, a compendium of how far we've come and where we now are in colloquial film comedy.

Makes one wonder, what's next?

I mean - I'm a fairly harsh critic and I hate most every gay movie that comes out (I'm gay BTW) and I was poised for this one to annoy the crap out of me. But it started and I'll tell you - I was wiping away the tears (from laughter) from pretty much the opening sequence. The four men they found for the four leads were astoundingly, shamelessly gleeful in their complicated renderings of these boys - they didn't phone anything in - even the gratuitous (I'm a littly prudish, I guess) flatulation sequence was imbued with a sincerity and a sweetness that was welcome and unexpectedly necessary and it made it actually, genuinely funny. That doesn't happen often with flatulation jokes for me. And I think that description defines the entire film for me - it was unexpectedly inspired and made me laugh when I wouldn't have typically. And I cried, too - for the sweetness of one story line. I usually feel manipulated and ridiculous after a romantic comedy but something happens in this film that brings it home - I wasn't angry and I wanted it to go on and on and on. As a gay film buff I guess it was hugely satisfying to see the same stupid movie I've seen seven thousand times about straight people remade - and reconsidered - and turned into something that I could claim as my own. I got it - and I don't usually get to get it. It's a special hour and a half - I hope everyone gets to see it.

Todd Stephens offers his second fine film about gay life (Edge of Seventeen was his first) and aptly titles it ANOTHER GAY MOVIE. It is a colorful, fast-paced, wonderfully silly, knock 'em dead parody of gay stereotypes boasting a fine cast of actors who know how to pull this caper off and seem to have a terrific time doing it! Four gay high school friends make a pact at graduation that they will loose their virginity before Labor Day. Egged on by the gross lesbian Muffler (Ashlie Atkinson) the four plan their ploys in a funny session and the fun begins. Andy (Michael Carbonaro), in constant fantasy about his teacher Mr. Puckov (Graham Norton) 'prepares' himself with various instruments only to be discovered in embarrassing situations by his wild mother (John Epperson aka Lypsinka) and his bisexual father (Scott Thompson). Nico (Jonah Blechman) is so over-the-top outrageous that he believes no one knows he is gay - not his warmly wise mother (Stephanie McVay) or his hilarious blind 'girlfriend' Daisy (Joanna Leeds). Star-struck he goes after celebrities such as Richard Hatch (playing himself) to little avail. Jarod (Jonathan Chase) seems to have little trouble attracting studs like Beau (studly James Getzlaff) and Griff (Mitch Morris) is stricken with the hunky stripper Angel (the ever so buff Darryl Stephens). Each young man finds the trail to loss of virginity a trial but it all comes together 'in the end'.

Films like this are tough to pull off: audiences think they will be offended by the fairly frank and inside jokes. And perhaps with a less talented cast the movie could be off-putting. But this ensemble cast knows just how far to push the button and the result is a hilarious romp that has a lot of very worthwhile undertones. Grady Harp