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Bedrooms & Hallways

Bedrooms & Hallways

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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Flippant but entertaining
Review: It is not often that a romance comes along that I actually enjoy.
This film is exceptionally witty and fun. Tom Hollander and Hugo Weaving both manage to make their 'bigger than life' characters into something real. "Romance" might be a bit of an assumptive label for the film. It is also about coming of age; making important decisions that will stay with you the rest of your life. The homosexual environment the characters are a part of is casual and real, which makes for a non-insulting view of gay lifestyle.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A funny romance-and yet I like it.
Review: It is not often that a romance comes along that I actually enjoy.
This film is exceptionally witty and fun. Tom Hollander and Hugo Weaving both manage to make their 'bigger than life' characters into something real. "Romance" might be a bit of an assumptive label for the film. It is also about coming of age; making important decisions that will stay with you the rest of your life. The homosexual environment the characters are a part of is casual and real, which makes for a non-insulting view of gay lifestyle.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautifully entertaining
Review: It's a total popcorn movie, but I think that was it's intention. If a story with gay men doesn't bother you, you will find this story delightful and warm. What I love best about this movie is that in the end it's not about labels, it's about loving someone because of who they are and what they mean to you. It's all about chemistry, where ever it leads you.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Anything goes
Review: Male bonding takes on a whole new meaning in the British sex comedy.

Rose Troche (Go Fish) directed this quirky story of a Impish Darren (Tom Hollander) who urges lonely Leo (Kevin McKidd of Trainspotting) to get a more active social life, as does neighbor Angie (Julie Graham).

When straight friend Adam (Christopher Fulford) gets Leo to join the therapy group run by New Age-styled guru Keith (Simon Callow), he finds that his homosexuality creates some interesting complications.

There's a healthy dose of new age parody here: the members of the men's group take saunas together, beat drums around the campfire at their "wild man" weekends, and pass around harpoons and "honesty stones" to get in touch with their feelings. It all leads to some frank sexual discussions and an atmosphere of shifting sexuality in which a fistfight can turn out to be a prelude to having sex.

Leo meets good-looking Irishman Brendan (James Purefoy of "A Knight's Tale"),who's just ending a lengthy relationship with his business partner, Sally (Jennifer Ehle). Sally just happens to be Leo's high-school sweetheart. It's not long before Leo and Brendan pair off.

Add some kitschy dream sequences to the film's lighthearted tone, and the development of an unusual bisexual love triangle that provide serious romantic tension. By the end of the film, the characters' real sexual preferences are anybody's guess.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Director Saves Film from Screenplay
Review: Rose Troche is a talented director. She has great affection for her actors and protects them from some of the ridiculous material in this screenplay. The premise is promising as a gay man joins a (straight) men's group and stirs up all sorts of emotions when he admits to being attracted to one of the other members. There are many fine scenes and the cast is first rate throughout but some of the final twists of the film are unbelievable. Rose Troche guides everyone through with a steady hand but unfortunately shoots the ending in an unironic context. It feels as if everyone has partnered off correctly and yet, given the history of the characters, most of the partners seem unfortunate and doomed rather than headed for a happily ever after (as the film implies).

I think the best performance in the film (a triumph of a performance) is given by Jennifer Ehle who begins the film overly tight and controlled and then the angles of her face soften into radiant half smiles as she becomes more romantically attached.

The film is worthwhile but definitely confused. Rose Troche is a directing talent to be reckoned with though and I look forward to what she can do with stronger material.

The DVD is in full frame and the sound is clear but not exceptional. It does include an interview with the director and the theatrical trailer.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: British friends
Review: This ensemble comedy is full of dating mishaps and successes. I entirely love how it poked fun at therapy groups and the ideals of masculinity. I thought it a bit awkward when our gay hero began dating this guy who never gave a clue about being gay. It sort of worked in the story, but it seemed abrupt. Still, this film is a definite must for gay Anglophiles and those who enjoy sexy, screwball comedies.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great cast AND a fantastic script
Review: This is a great film! I highly recommend it. It is not fluffy and the script, despite what others have said, is not poorly written. Rose Troche does not save the film because it did not need to be saved. Kevin McKidd, Jennifer Ehle, and James Purefoy were each cast perfectly. Watch out for killer performances from Tom Hollander (from "Martha Meet Frank Daniel and Laurence") and Hugo Weaving (from "Proof" and "The Matrix"). All the performances in this film are great! Have fun.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Rose Troche, I want to marry you.
Review: This is a jewel! An upbeat British-cast comedy, created by American filmmaker Troche, which realizes sexuality isn't a black-and-white, 'gay or straight' issue, but rather all about the chemistry between specific people, often humorous, and always complex. Among all recent positive 'gay' movies and comedies, this movie stands out, together perhaps with 'Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss'.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If you like 4 wedding, my best friends wedding, etc
Review: This is a rather sappy, silly all around charming little movie. It's not just a way gay film, I know plenty of people gay and straight who just loved it.

It's very english and very charming. Imagine being a 30 year old gay man, alone and a hopeless romantic----and who do you fall in love with? A guy from your straight men's group who just broke up with his long time girlfriend! And here's the real kicker--he's into you too!

The lead characters are quite likeable and even though it focuses primarily on this particular relationship and the ex-girlfriend, there are equally amusing secondary charaters and relationships that will make you smile (and occassionally shed a teer).

One of the htings I like best about this film is that it isn't super campy--and its production values are quite good. Unlike some gay films, it isn't poor quality, shoestring budget film making.

Definatly get this one---it's worth having and you will enjoy sharing it with friends and loved ones (it's also a really nice stay at home date night movie).

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Sexualities never stay in place, darn it!
Review: This is an hilarious comedy of errors about a gay man learning to bond with other (straight - temporarily phase for some of them) men who feels strongly attractred to his best friend (a girl) current's boyfriend - and at Leo's birthday party all hell comes loose.
Oh yeah - it's the comediquest of quests! Don't just take my pretentious word for it, get off your couches and go and soddin' buy the film!
(unless you saw it at proper movie theaters - in which case I'll envy & respect you forevermore)


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