Trick

Rating:
Summary: So is Mark your boyfriend, or just a Trick?
Review: I was lucky enough to catch this on the big screen when it landed at indie theaters in my town. It was so good, I went to see it twice that day! JP Pitoc and Christian Campbell are hot, and I'm not usually a Tori Spelling fan but was amazed with her in this film. It's a fun movie with an interesting outlook on a scene all gay men know too well! Full of laughs, piano bars, queens, and good music! (and the boy gets the boy in the end) "Oh, I've heard that one before!"

Rating:
Summary: Funny, though exasperatingly so
Review: Trick is a very rare movie indeed, a movie that's actually better than the marketing blurbs make it out to be. It's a gay comedy that's actually funny, though exasperatingly so at times. This one film just about makes up for a near miss in the way of gay comedies, "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss," one not so near miss, "Kiss Me Guido," and one big bomb that's sometimes touted as a comedy, "Get Real."

Actually, Trick is more than just a gay comedy in a couple of ways. For one thing, it's a gay musical comedy; okay, there are only a couple of songs, but it's really a musical, nonetheless.

Here's the set-up: Gabriel is a very uptight, completely unassuming, nebbish sort of guy, winningly played by Christian Campbell, who wants to write musicals. His life is full of self-absorbed 'friends,' among whom is Tori Spelling appearing as "the aspiring actress from Hell."

The story line is set when Gabe's friend Perry points out to him at a writer's workshop that no one will believe the characters in Gabe's musical could fall in love in one night if he doesn't believe it. By the end of the night, Gabe will be a believer.

Later at a bar, Gabe sets eyes on a piece of eye candy named Mark, and can't take his eyes off him. More importantly, neither can he believe Mark returns his looks.

By chance the two meet again on the subway, where Mark comes on to Gabe and morphs into Mr. Right Now, though a far too laconic Mr. Right Now. The night that follows as the two try to find a place to do it, which principally would involve finding a place none of Gabe's self-absorbed friends knows exists, is by turns delightful, extremely exasperating, and a strain on credibilty (two gay guys who can't find a place to do it?)

But Trick isn't just about trying to find a place to do it, it's about falling in love. And what makes the comedy endearing, besides Christian Campbell's dimples, is that throughout the night Gabriel is also struggling with several near universal gay guy issues while seeking the ever elusive SertaPerfect quality time. "Is this guy for real?" "Why is such a hot guy coming on to me?" "After I put him up on a pedestal for one night, will he just walk all over me getting down?" "If he's spent so much time perfecting his body, has he had any time to work on what's inside?" "Can Mr. Right Now turn into Mr. Right?" And of course, "Do I care about any of this or do I just want him right now?" All the while Mark is slowly revealing that he has insecurities of his own, though J.P. Pitoc, who plays Mark, is much better at smoldering than at appearing available to and interested in Gabe.

Fortunately (here's a plot spoiler if you haven't already figured it out) the guy with buns and pecs of steel turns out to have a heart of gold, though the plot takes too long to reveal Mark is more than just eye candy and too long for Gabe to get a clue and the ending is a bit too pie-in-the-sky. Still, this is a musical, not Romeo and Julian. The movie ends with Gabe singing a reprise of the musical's biggest hit, "Enter You."

Roger Ebert finds this film silly and suggests the plot would be unthinkable in a straight film, and in a sense he's right. But gays have never had the opportunity to see themselves in these sorts of silly comedies so it doesn't really matter if the same story line wouldn't work in a straight film. Ebert also complains about Tori Spelling singing her whole number at the writer's workshop, but that's what they do in musicals, they sing whole numbers, not just a few lines and then cut to the next scene.

I have never been a big fan of musicals so I am pleasantly surprised at how much I like this movie. Had I known it was a musical I might never have bought it, but a gay musical that's not 100% camp or drag is a very refreshing idea, indeed a courageous one on the part of the filmmakers.

Trick is a very entertaining movie and the best gay comedy I've seen. I give it 4 stars, but if it wears well on repeated viewings, I will be upgrading my rating to a 5.

Rating:
Summary: Very Refreshing!
Review: I was home in the States browsing through the videos at a store when I came upon "Trick." I had heard about it and heard it was supposed to be good, but I still hesitated. I really enjoy gay films, but I expected this to be just another stereotypical look at gay life. Boy was I in for a surprise.
This was one of the best movies I have ever seen (in spite of Tori Spelling's terrible acting, she probably got the role because of her father).
Christian Campbell and JP Pitoc have chemistry right from the beginning. The scenes throughout NY were realistic and I was glad to see that the bar they go to actually has a mix of people, not just screaming queens, or tough leather daddies. I could relate to what happened, it seemed like real gay life.
What was most touching was that they don't just jump into bed; they talk, Christian's character plays the piano and JP's really listens.
An excellent movie!

Rating:
Summary: Sweet, funny, smart.
Review: This is a very funny, very sweet, and quite smart little comedy. I'd call it a screwball comedy for the new millenium. Christian Campbell and JP Pitoc are great together, and the supporting actors are all a scream. Another plus for me is the setting, NYC's West Village. In fact, one scene always moves me, since it it set in a favorite piano bar that no longer exists, Eighty-Eights. Watch for it as Christian's friend sings the heartwarming "Como Te Gusta Mi Pinga"...which gives you an idea about how broad the comedy is played at times. But the sweet and the funny are balanced nicely.

Rating:
Summary: I don't understand all the hype...
Review: Somehow this "film" made it into theatres to wide critical and popular acclaim from both the gay and straight press. I wonder if the critics were watching the same movie I just PAINFULLY sat through with my partner. What a waste of time!

Tori Spelling and John Paul Pitoc's performances (and they are wonderful and funny), are the only saving graces. Christian Campbell is woefully miscast as an aspriring Broadway-musical writer. He looks to be about 15 years old in this movie--he looks too young opposite the rest of the cast. There are several other actors, gay or straight, who could've brought real acting to the role. Sorry to say he is NOT at all convincing in this movie, period.

The film is full of "gay lifestyle" cliches: muscle boys, drag queens, lots of boy flesh, all-night clubbing, etc. etc. There's nothing new here to see. If you're gay you know this is a very weak look at what gay really is like for most of us. The premise of love at first sight is cute, but the execution is badly written, badly directed and not believable with these two guys. They have zero chemistry, and what is there seems forced at best.

Save your money and buy Broken Hearts Club with Dean Cain et al. That was a much, much better gay movie about boys falling in and out of love!

Rating:
Summary: Cute and funny!
Review: Trick is romantic comedy about two young guys falling in love in NY. One night Gabril goes to a gay bar where he sees the Gogo boy of his dreams. Single and tired he returns home one the subway only to be sitting near the same gogo boy at the bar. The exchange a glance and the gogo boy-Mark follows Gabril out. They go up to Gab apartment to find his best friend, who is an annoying chick Gab can hardly put up with, using his printer. Once she leaves the two began toching and feeling each other when Gab's roommate and girlfriend enter. Gabe roomate demades the apartment for the night so he and his girl frind can go wild! On so the story goes on about the two coming close to finding a place to screw but never finding it. Funny, but little streched! Very cute and happy ending. If your looking for a film with gay sex and nudity- this is NOT the one! If you want a really good gay movie get- Beautiful Thing- Its fantastic! Overall Trick's not that bad. It has both romantic and funny parts.

Rating:
Summary: Trick or Treat??
Review: This movie was quite entertaining. It is one of the best comedies out there, with indeed, a lot of sexual content. I dont see what all the fuss is about with Gabriel, it seems that everywhere he goes, he gets hit on. Every single guy that hits on him is gorgeous. Who ever did Gabriel's makeup did a terrible job. You can tell he is wearing eyeliner, and blue eyeshadow which is I guess, supposed to bring out his baby faced innocent look. I though that he looked like a drag queen out of drag. (very unattractive gay guy in my opinion... hair, style, and all.) His personality fits the likes of a bitchy, overly femme drag queen as well, not an innocent boy next door. HOWEVER, Mark most certainly makes up for it. This movie is quite funny, especially when Miss Coco Peru (from Too Wong Foo) makes her cameo appearance in it. The best part of this film is when you finally get to see Mark unfold. He is first seen as a sexual one night stand type of guy, but then becomes a rather nice guy. I know my review may not sound nearly as sophisticated as the previous ones, but this movie is really, just a sexual comedy.

I give it 4 stars, because it ends before it actually gets going. (and Gabe's terrible makeup job) The ending leaves you wanting so much more. Its like watching the first episode of a gay sitcom series on Showtime or HBO.

This was a very good, entertaining, sexual comedy though. I just got my copy... and the DVD is better than VHS... you get a few special features, for only ...more. I prefer DVD anyway... it looks so much better.

Enjoy

Rating:
Summary: The "Trick" is on the viewer!
Review: What a wonderful, soul lifting film!

Unless one is totally homophobic... no. STRIKE THAT! .. Unless one is totally unappreciative of the meaning of LOVE, there is absolutley no reason why one shold not consider adding this title to a collection.

I will not elaborate on the cast, so many accoloades have been given to them by the many reviewers of this film, who, save for a very few, applaud this production!

This is a "Feel Good" film. What it offers is a chance to view a film about relationships that are truly real. (On multiple levels!)

Please see additional reviews offered here.. but, I just want to make a comment..

After all of this film is said and done (forgive me... I am a professional musician).. the MAIN theme of this entire movie is spelled out so correctly in the end credit's music.

You see... the word "Trick" means so much more! In fact, the end song sums it up exactly: "A TRICK OF FATE". (Even if you have seen and loved this film.. I strongly encourage you to listen to the lyrics and the music of the end titles!)

Without a doubt.. this film is unique... it explores the depth of the human heart, the subtlety of human relationships, the meaning of friendship, and, best of all.. HOPE.

CLearly... recommended viewing... especially to anyone with an open heart.

Respectfully submitted.

Bob

Brillian

Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: This is one of those rare movies that is delightfully funny and romantic all at once. A true gem to see. It's cast delivers a most remarkable performance

Rating:
Summary: looking for love
Review: This is a great movie for anyone who enjoys love stories, unless, that is, you're homophobic.
Two guys are looking for some place to "do each other" and discover in the process that they have found love. Mark says that he's glad they've got the "hard stuff" over with, getting to know and like each other. The sex never does happen, but love does.
J.P. Pitoc (a heterosexual, by the way) displays a quality of acting rarely seen - watch Mark's facial mannerisms throughout the movie.
If you're open-minded, you'll like this one.