The Best Men

Rarely have I been as bored in a movie as I was watching the short film "The Best Men". For a short film it certainly was long. Pacing was terrible, acting was OK but a bit wooden, the plot left a lot to the imagination, and the whole thing had "student film" written all over it. I wonder what they were thinking to have added this to the collection "Not / Gay", it would have been a lot better if this film wasn't included at all. The film was full of stereotypes. It is overly long. There is really nothing else to say. Oh maybe that the main actors were very attractive. But that is hardly a selling point for a movie that is a colossal waste of time, even at under 20 minutes long.

This short film portrays the emotional turmoil of a man whose childhood friend and sweetheart is about to get married.

I am impressed by "The Best Men". Peter, the leading guy, goes through a rough time as Joe is about to get married. His feelings for Joe are subtly portrayed. In a blink and you will miss it hugging scene, Peter's longing for Joe is shown through his subtle facial expression. All the agony of "I love you but I can't tell you" makes viewers sad.

The production of this short is also good. It has great costumes, sets and background soundtrack. It could easily have been just lifted from a big budget production. Or the other way round, it could have easily been a decent full length film if it was expanded.

The Best Men is a film short by Tony Wei. The film is set in a modern metropolis during the evening. Our main characters are two childhood best friends, Peter (Michael Ellison) and Joseph (Jason Yarusi). Peter has arrived just in time for Joseph's wedding. Unfortunately, Peter is in love with Joseph, and Joseph is marrying a woman. The story would be unremarkable if not for the fact that Joseph's family knows and loves Peter, and seems to accept the fact that their friendship runs much deeper than heterosexual society will allow.

Unrequited love is something we are all most likely familiar with. Under the skilled direction of Tony Wei, we are treated to a perfect backdrop of tranquil music, flowers, loving family and sweet memories. The camera's lens remains just outside the wedding scene in time and in location, which is where Peter stays as well. Even though he is the best man of the wedding, Peter is a figurative outsider because the groom is marrying the wrong person.

Before the wedding, Peter and Joseph exchange pre-wedding gifts. Peter gives Joseph a CD filled with video nostalgia of their glory days. Joseph gives Peter a silver ring in a Tiffany's box. Apparently, this ring was worn by Joseph, and is given to Peter because he admired it. In this fashion, the director shows that Joseph's love for Peter is significant.

Alone in Peter's hotel room, Peter and Joseph assist one another with their bow ties before the wedding. Peter asks Joseph, "Are you happy?" Joseph does not respond with words. The two men embrace, but Peter's attempt at a kiss is gently rebuffed. After the wedding, the camera finds Peter outside and alone on the balcony. Joseph's attractive sister approaches in time to watch a handsome waiter bearing champagne make a pass at Peter. This prompts her to remark, "...it figures. All the best men are gay..."

Have you ever longed for someone - ached for them so badly, but could do nothing to bring them into your arms? This must be what Peter experiences in his love for Joseph. Joseph's mother, Mrs. Hartford, offers the clarity of a wise observer when she shares a glass of champagne with Peter on the sidelines. Mrs. Hartford strokes Peter's hair and reminisces that every time she looks outside her window, she sees the tree that Peter and Joseph climbed as children. She lovingly advises Peter that he was never able to fool her. She hopes her son is happy, and she hopes that Peter can be happy, too.

By allowing the viewer to glimpse these moments through the eyes of Joseph's family, we see that Peter was accepted into the family long ago, and that Joseph, the groom, is the only person who may never understand the meaning of true love. This film is indeed a short, but in only 15 minutes, and under Wei's skillful direction, it managed to bring tears to my eyes.

• Chipper F. Xavier, Esq.

***This Review was also posted on Amazon.com @ http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Men-Tony-Wei/product-reviews/ ***