Rating: 
Summary: I Hoped for more from this
Review: This is all my opinion - but here goes...But let's get specific to "Broken Hearts Club." It wasn't awful - that's why I gave it two stars instead of one. BUT, it didn't spend a lot of time on its characters (unless they were pontificating on "what it means to be gay.") Boring...This movie had the potential to be a light comedy about attractive guys, and their romantic foibles. Instead, it became a self-reverential piece of whiney garbage that collapsed under it's own over-analytical weight...
Rating: 
Summary: Engaging drama, first-class performances
Review: Though described on the DVD packaging as "the first mainstream gay movie" (erm, "Philadelphia", anyone?), Greg Berlanti's "The Broken Hearts Club A Romantic Comedy" (2000) seems more than a little timid in the wake of confrontational dramas like "Queer as Folk", but the former producer and co-writer of TV's gay-friendly "Dawson's Creek" makes an auspicious directorial debut with this familiar account of several gay friends looking for love and companionship in vanity-driven Los Angeles. As one character puts it: "Gay men in LA are a bunch of 10's looking for an 11." Essentially the tale of a gay softball team composed of staff and management of a popular restaurant run by elderly patriarch John Mahoney (celebrated co-star of TV's "Frasier"), the film's paper-thin narrative is roused by a combination of lively dialogue and well-defined characters, played to perfection by a terrific cast, culled mostly from the New York stage: Ben Weber is the 'Plain Joe' whose inability to attract a boyfriend is due more to his lack of self-esteem than absence of personality; Dean Cain (Superman himself!) is a hunky aspiring actor who leaves a trail of broken hearts in his wake; punk-style Zach Braff portrays a gym-queen who seems wilfully blind to the dark side of gym culture; Matt McGrath and Justin Theroux are ex-boyfriends who can't seem to let go of one another; and Andrew Keegan is the cute new kid who stumbles into this disparate group whilst struggling to come to terms with his burgeoning sexuality. The unofficial pack-leader (Timothy Olyphant) is smart, ironic, and increasingly aware of the personal opportunities he's sacrificed in his relentless pursuit of casual sex with strangers. Given the breakneck pace and distinctive character traits outlined in Berlanti's script, the actors invigorate a fairly routine scenario with their keen attention to detail and beautifully-judged responses to the various plot developments, though Olyphant (whose demonic good looks have previously seen him typecast in too many villainous roles) dominates proceedings as a young man who finds himself at a crossroads and recognizes the need to change his life forever. Mahoney is funny, wise and dignified as the Shakespeare-quoting softball coach, and Broadway singer-actor Billy Porter gets some of the best lines in a role that otherwise amounts to little more than comic relief. Beefcake is provided by supermodel-turned-actor Michael Bergin ("Baywatch Hawaii") and Christian Kane (semi-regular on TV's "Angel") in cameo roles, and the lovely Kerr Smith appears briefly in one of the movie's best scenes. Watch out, too, for a memorable appearance by Jennifer Coolidge as a 'helpful' hair stylist who brings the house down with a single line of dialogue! However, a subplot involving Weber's sister (Mary McCormack) and her attempts to become a mother with long-term partner Nia Long is underdeveloped to the point of redundancy (memo to gay moviemakers: if you're gonna include lesbians in these otherwise all-male offerings, do 'em properly or not at all!), and Cain's much-publicized 'kiss' with Keegan is coyly hidden by the angle at which it's filmed, a hideous cop-out (the eminently straight Olyphant has no such qualms, however, and he kisses some of his male co-stars with abandon!). Shot on location over a three week period and photographed in Super 35 by cinematographer Paul Elliott ("And the Band Played On"), the movie has the look and feel of a widescreen TV show, and Berlanti opts for fairly basic compositions which allow the characters to govern the frame throughout. Columbia Tristar's region 1 DVD runs 95m 10s and includes both a 4:3 pan-scan version and a letterboxed (2.35:1) print, anamorphically enhanced. Picture quality is fine but not pristine, possibly due to lesser quality film stock, while the 5.1 and 2.0 soundtrack options are expansive but unremarkable. Subtitles and closed captions are provided. Extras include a trailer for the video release (what happened to the theatrical version?!), deleted scenes - including a wonderful, life-changing encounter between old pro Mahoney and youthful pretender Keegan - and a terrific commentary by Berlanti and co-producer Mickey Liddell, both of whom seem mildly surprised at how well the finished movie turned out! Clearly enjoying themselves, they recount a wealth of production details and on-set anecdotes, and they also provide comprehensive reasons for their various casting decisions, tacitly acknowledging that their actors are the heart and soul of the picture. Berlanti mentions that he hopes to preserve a number of the actors' audition tapes on DVD, but sadly, they haven't been included here. Gay cinema doesn't really need another romantic comedy, but while "Broken Hearts" doesn't offer anything new, it's salvaged by snappy editing, a quickfire pace, and first-class performances by some of the best young actors working in America today. And thanks to a clever, throwaway bit of name-dropping, the movie offers fleeting confirmation - at last! - of the role played by sex-god Antonio Sabato Jr. in the fantasies of hormonally-charged gay teenagers everywhere! Been there, done that...
Rating: 
Summary: Doesn't whitewash over the emotions of its characters.
Review: "It's like one big gay soap opera!" screams Patrick to his hairdresser in "The Broken Hearts Club," one of the freshest, funniest, and uplifting romantic comedies to come along in years. Not only is there a story that doesn't always take the usual, clichéd twists and turns, but there are characters who we come to care about, combined with some effectively touching moments and ongoing humor. Perhaps it all works better because the filmmakers have shaped these traits into such a well-crafted film. Perhaps it's because its cast shows great talent in dealing with the subject matter. Or maybe it's just because all of its characters (including most of the females) are gay. Yep, you heard me right. For its 95-minute duration, the only thing straight about these California lovelies is their hair. The first kudos the film earns is its introduction to the characters. At first, we meet them and associate them by name and face: there's Cole (Dean Cain), blessed with good looks and a new boy each week; Benji (Zach Braff), a "gym bunny" with a thing for chiseled physiques; Howie (Matt McGrath), a relationship psychologist whose own dwindling relationship never seems to have ended; Taylor (Billy Porter), who begins his sentences with "As a person in a long-term relationship"; Patrick (Ben Weber), whose average looks cause him self-pity; Jack (John Mahoney), owner of the local gay dive; and Dennis (Timothy Olyphant), who wonders if there's more to life than just being gay. From its opening moments, one might get the impression that they're in the midst of another run-of-the-mill, gay-themed movie, but it does evolve into more than simple discussions of one-nighters and drama queen displays. It calls many of the characters' lives into question, leaving Howie and Taylor without a boyfriend, throwing Cole's self-assurance into the wind, and offering Dennis a chance at what he thinks is the answer to his problems in Kevin (Andrew Keegan), whose naivety concerning matters of homosexuality makes him appealing to Dennis, who wants more in a relationship. These characters studies are brought out under some well-defined performances from actors who show no fear in playing gay roles. Olyphant lends a gentle voice and charisma to Dennis, whose narration guides the film, while newcomers Braff (the "gym bunny"), Weber ("Average Joe"), and Porter (drama queen) each leave a lasting impression. It may even surprise some to see faces like Cain and Mahoney, and Andrew Keegan, who shows terrific range in playing the inexperienced "newbie." Accompanying the cast are some of the funniest moments I've seen in ages. Some may quibble about the various standard gay jokes, but they work extremely well within the material. I laughed 'til I cried at Porter's constant displays of dramatic excess, and Olyphant's subtle way with words is humorous in a very big way. And I defy anyone not to laugh at the scene in which the Broken Hearts play baseball against a team of fire-fighters, during which they attempt to guess the orientation of opposing players. The good thing about a movie like "The Broken Hearts Club" is that it doesn't whitewash over the emotions of its characters, but allows them to grow through their experiences. In Dennis, as well as many of the characters, we see a change of heart, some more well-defined than others, some left completely to the audience's own thought. In the end, we're left with the satisfaction of knowing the people we've met, coming to like them, laugh with them, and enjoy their company, which is more than most movies can achieve.
Rating: 
Summary: There's no 0 Stars? Why not?
Review: Horrible. Shallow. Trite. Demeaning. If this movie in any way honestly depicts gay life on the West Coast, be very, very afraid. The plot? A group of Narcissitic and emotionally absent "friends" [sleep with] equally shallow, contemtible men in what is apparently an effort to find love. None of these characters would know love if it it them over the head with a shovel. Still, if your idea of a great film is a cast of mediocre actors who live at the gym and consider "rock, paper, scissors" a game of intellectual rigor stumbling about without shirts in search of a story line, you'll love this movie. To my horror, it seems many people actually do.
Rating: 
Summary: A fun movie that reminds you of friends and bad dates
Review: I suggest you BUY THIS, don't rent it, it's a feel good movie with a great music soundtrack. Where else would ever see the older guy from Frazier in a red dress and a wig and laugh. For once somebody made a funny, friendship movie. I caught the end of this on Showtime by accident and couldn't believe how much I laughed. I ordered a copy just to see the beginning. Yes, the theme is around gay men but it could just as well be about straight guys at work. Women, will howl at the date scenes remembering any of the men they have gone out with. But women know they could never get this kind of honesty out of their boyfriend or husband, girlfriends yes, the men, no way. No AIDS them, no heavy stuff, just a fun movie. If you're gay you'll laugh thinking of your friends, minus the bitter queens of course. If you're straight and female, you'll get a better understanding of the men in your life. It's worth it seeing the heart throb get stuck up for a date. Yep, the one you live with or date is just like these guys. Most men are pigs so you might as well laugh at these guys them since you're going to deal with one at some point in your life. You'll laugh regardless of your orientation.
Rating:
Summary: It should have been better
Review: I had heard about this film for several years, and was quite looking forward to seeing it. After all, just to be able to gawk at Dean Cain is worth the price of admission. However, this film made so many wrong turns that it was left unsalvagable. The writing is amateurish, and every character is a cliche. At one point, the guys are even sitting around a table complaining that "they should make a movie about guys like us!"
It is a shame, because a lot of money and a lot of talent went into the making of this film, and it offers us absolutely nothing new. No one talks like this in real life, and every issue that they grapple with is done so on such a hypothetical level as not to be believed...
Rating:
Summary: In one word: banal
Review: This movie is full of tired gay themes and offers the viewer very little in terms of original or though-provoking content. Some of the characters are likeable, which makes sitting through the movie less of a struggle. It's the sort of movie suited to watching whilst making-out. Don't buy it--if you want to watch it, rent it or see it at a friend's house.
Rating:
Summary: A big broken letdown
Review: This is definitely one of those movies where all of the actors probably put limitations on what they would do on camera while playing a gay character. Compared to other gay movies, this is just a "happy" lil story that should have been made for the Lifetime channel. If you are satisfied with cute guys kissing and being catty, shadowed by the death of an old friend and several rocky one night stands, then this movie is for you. Dean Cain even commented in an interview once that "kissing another man" wasn't real because they were just acting. Dean, we promose not to tell anyone. Your secret is safe! As for the movie, it should be locked away in a safe for a rainy day when good gay movies aren't being made anymore.
Rating:
Summary: Too much.
Review: Too witty. Too whimsical. Too white. Too West Coast. A stereotypical gay movie about stereotypically gay men. Just imagine the girls on SEX AND THE CITY with penises and pecs.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic movie about friendship
Review: Although I believe I was recommended this movie by Amazon.com due to my interst in movies with gay-themed romances, this is a great movie about friendship at its root. Anyone who has ever gone through something fairly traumatizing to find a warm, supportive bunch on the other end will love this movie. This is an ensemble-cast movie, so when it comes to comparing it to other close friends movies, it's more "Mystic Pizza" (only with 6 people instead of 3) than "Beaches". But the large cast somehow doesn't distract from the story the way you'd expect -- it somehow manages to add to the whole point -- the range of characters and their respective experiences exemplifies how great friendships are complicated, sometimes dysfunctional, yet always rewarding. The cast is a series of people you may recognize from television and other movies -- notably Zach Braff who is now on "Scrubs" and the truly gorgeous Timothy Olphant (the drug dealer from "Go"). All our talented and quite lovely to look at. My main gripe is that all are (to my knowledge) straight. I'm sure there are out gay actors who could have done this movie just as well. Nonetheless, knowing they were straight didn't distract from the movie at all-- The performances were excellent. In sum, a highly recommended flick.
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