Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: Dan Bucatinsky stars in a film he wrote, and what a rounding success. The premise is simple: two (straight) friends meet and find an instant attraction, and then set up their best (gay) friends on a disastrous blind date . When our heroes meet by chance at a local flea market, their mutual attraction spurs the rest of the story.Along the way, brilliant cameos illuminate and enhance the plot, from the hilarious (Lisa Kudrow's turn as a voice-over actress), to the tragic (Joanna Kearns's appearance as a bitter, alcoholic mother), to the just plain out-there (Andrea Martin shining brighter than ever as a neurotic PhD who hated In and Out as much as I did). Snappy dialogue, compelling characters, and a believable ending. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: My favourite gay movie of all time!
Review: As far as Gay-themed films go, I would have to say that this is by far my favourite. It shows gays as most are--normal people with (sometimes not so) normal problems. This is a story about two gay men, screwed up in their own ways, having a strained relationship. This story is funny, romantic and ultimately satisfying. That, and one of the main characters is such a cutie....too bad he's straight in real life ;-) The verdict? If you like gay themed movies, this is a must. If you just like funny or romantic movies, and aren't put off by a gay element, which to be honest is not really that important to the story, this is a definite must-see!
Rating: 
Summary: Read this review! I think I nailed it...
Review: I've been searching and waiting patiently for the perfect gay film to come along. Something with a real plot and real characters. Something that doesn't pander to the straight audience, but doesn't play exclusively to gays. Something with bite AND a heart. Julie Davis' "All Over the Guy" comes close... so close. And then tanks. The story in brief: while shopping in a furniture store, Jackie (Sasha Alexander) meets furniture designer/salesman Brett (Adam Goldberg). The sparks are instant. After realizing that they both have a gay male best friend, they decide to fix the two of them up. The first date of Eli (Dan Bucatinsky) and Tom (Richard Ruccolo) goes down in flames, but on a second meeting something ignites. But Tom's alcohol fueled insecurities and Eli's need for order makes their ensuing relationship rocky. Essentially, they just can't seem to get it together. Will true love prevail? Look, I really, REALLY wanted to love this film. In the end, I liked it a lot, but it missed that being-a-classic benchmark by a good distance. Here's why: There aren't many films with opinions are widely and clearly polarized as those regarding "All Over the Guy." That's a nice way of saying you either loved it or hated it. Me, I can understand both points of view... if you aren't into snappy, overly-glib, "Friends"-like dialogue you are going to definitely hate this film. I happen to love that sort of stuff. Okay, call me shallow, but the movie made me laugh out loud on several occasions. (Example... BRETT: "Be there or be square." ELI: "I hate when people say that. 'Cuz even when I'm there, I'm square, so where's the incentive?") Overall, I thought the dialogue was sharp, and the juxtaposition of a gay relationship against a straight one was handled nicely. I also really liked the acting in this film. All of the supporting characters do a nice job bringing in a level of quirkiness to their small parts (I mean, c'mon... how funny was Andrea Martin as Eli's analysis-obsessed mom?), and the four leads handle what they're given with tenacity and appeal. Likewise, the first three-quarters of this film are structured well and interesting. I hate to say it, but it really drew me in. The non-linear storyline doesn't feel choppy or forced. So what went wrong? Why does that final quarter of the film take such an incredible nosedive? The primary blame has to be placed on the character of Tom. As much as the filmmakers try to make this Eli's story, the crux of the action centers around Tom's behavior when faced with a potentially fulfilling relationship. We're asked to believe that Tom is a nasty drunk, and his addiction is why he endlessly treats poor Eli like a yo-yo. And although we never really see Tom even remotely plastered, we can see that he's overflowing with anger and bile. What the script doesn't do is completely justify Tom's wild swings from wanting to be near Eli to harshly and nastily (really nastily) pushing him away. And it all reflects poorly on the character of Eli, who never truly tells Tom to get lost. I wanted so badly for someone to just level this jerk... when it does sort-of happen at the film's climax, Tom's reaction is to DEFEND himself. What is all this saying? "Oh, poor damaged me... my lousy upbringing gives me the right to treat others like ca-ca." Sorry, I don't buy it. Similarly, I don't buy Tom's seemingly happy-go-lucky decision to end up at AA. The fact that alcoholism is simply wrecking his life is woefully unexplored. Most of all, that angle of the story completely lacks any grit and bite. Alcoholism is ugly. It's a disease that can kill, just like AIDS or cancer or any other unpleasant illness. Here, it's handled like a plot device, giving its sufferers a reason to be verbally cruel, and nothing else. Please note that I can't blame Richard Ruccolo for any of his character's failings. He does an amazing job with what the script gives him. He plays his winning smile and boyish good looks to the best of their ability. Likewise, his control onscreen is superb... he's one of the rare breed of actors who can flash a single facial expression and it says pages worth of words. (Just imagine Keanu Reeves in the part and you'll see the complete opposite of what I'm talking about.) Nonetheless, I was exhausted with the on-again-off-again nature of Tom and Eli's relationship by the end of this film. And as much as Tom has something of an excuse for his yo-yo-like behavior, Eli doesn't have one for not just telling him to shove-off. We're asked to believe that it's because he sees something greater in Tom, but by the final quarter of the film it looks more like Eli hasn't an ounce of self-respect. The ending seems entirely forced; any two everyday gay men in Los Angeles would have called it quits long, long before these two. It's too bad, because there was so much in this movie that I really enjoyed. I'd love to see this group try again with something meatier. How about this: explore the alcoholism angle with depth and sincerity by adapting Augusten Burrough's hilarious, self-deprecating book "Dry" into a film? And please cast Rich Ruccolo in the lead!
Rating:
Summary: a movie that's not about movie stars
Review: You ever notice how cute and ideal gay men are in movies and shows today? At least here we get a truly messed up couple that lives happily ever after. Gives us all a little more hope I think. At times predictable, at times a little stupid, but there's only so much one can do with a romantic comedy. I've seen stuff like this go on in real life, you know? Well, that's my two cents.
Rating:
Summary: sort of realistic portrayal of sort of normal gay guys
Review: As far as Gay-themed films go, I would have to say that this is by far my favourite. It shows gays as most are...normal people with (sometimes not so) normal problems. This is a story about two gay men, screwed up in their own ways, having a strained relationship. This story is funny, romantic and ultimately satisfying. That, and one of the main characters is such a cutie.
The verdict? If you like gay themed movies, this is a must. If you just like funny or romantic movies, and aren't put off by a gay element, which to be honest is not really that important to the story, this is a definite must-see...
Rating:
Summary: You Do The Math
Review: I've read all of the previous reviews and found some truth to them. In spite of a low-budget, at times contrived quick stereotypes and cute dialog, the film works on many levels and covers a lot of territory in a relative short screentime. Dating, fear of intimacy, rejection, parental baggage, straight friends, communication or the lack thereof, AIDS, alcoholism, working things through, and how we tend to sabatoge our own best interests etc. are all balanced in a cute romantic comedy. I find the film so refreshing in how these guys are ordinary, so very ordinary until we get to know them. On the surface they seem handsome and smart, but as they enter this relationship their true selves and all the vulnerability and fears comes blaring. From the initial first date's superficial conversation full of dead air to the emotional breakthrough near the end when they finally realize they must surrender themselves to achieve the intimacy they both wanted. Their fears are only offset by their greater need to love and be loved. Surface values (looks, money, career)are very little of the equation, which in itself was refreshing, particularly for a gay film. Also absent were the obliguatory bar scenes and anyone dying. A nod to AIDS by visiting the clinic for testing was just the right reference (its is a part of life, not your life.) No one robs a bank, they just meet and if it seems familiar, it is. We have seen it before, people falling in love in spite of themselves. We live in a world of immediate gratification and will quickly turn the channel until we are entertained. I think one of the big messages of this movie is that intimacy is not something that drops out of the sky, it requires work and a process within yourself as much as with the other person. I think gay males in general have bought into the concept of "instant relationship" to their own detrement. These characters peel back the layers of their own histories and confront the painful and are all too human and it does it with heart, humor, hope and suprising depth. And it achieves this as a comedy is no small feat. Perhaps it is too ambitious in it's approach, but the aim is true and strives for something bigger. For those of you complaining about this film, write your own screenplay and try to get it produced. It is easy to critizie those who do. All those involved should be very proud with what they have accomplished and I thank them for making me realize what I have brought to my own relationships and allowing me to examine how I create my own reality. No, this movie isn't perfect. It's not Gone With The Wind and I see the faults articulated in other reviews. But the truth is movies are not real and what we see ultimatly up there on screen is what we bring to the theatre. After watching this movie several times I have come to view "AOTG" as the closest thing we have to a gay "Annie Hall".
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely mixed feelings
Review: An earlier review mentions that nepotism (of the boyfriends variety) played a big role in getting this film made. If true, that would support my sense that this film suffers from a huge case of the entitlement heebie-jeebies. Much of the unrelentingly "witty" dialogue seems italicized, as if the writer had been told way too many times how cute and clever he was at poolside brunches at James Whale's house. More annoying is the writer/protagonist's bone-deep assumption that his dream-man's commitment issues are character flaws rather than a sensible response to Our Hero's prissy Felix-Ungerism. Perhaps the biggest entitlement giveaway is the number of times satellite characters tell Hero-boy how "fantastic" and what an "amazing man" he is when, at best, he seems mildly pleasant -- and at worst (and more often) a grating pain in the butt. "All Over" isn't a total waste. There's real charm in some of the performances (in particular Ruccolo's), and technically it's not too bad (especially given what was, I suspect, a home-video budget). And there are some real laughs and genuinely moving moments. But it coulda-shoulda-mighta been so much more had Mr. Bucatinsky had a little more trouble getting everyone to tell him how adorable he was.
Rating:
Summary: A decent Entertaining Movie - with gay characters (oh my)
Review: This is a mainstream movie (period). While most gay film unfortunately is either too "poetic" for most to understand or too horrible for anyone to watch, this is a good light hearted movie that is cute, funny, and the just plain entertaining. I have to admit I like Richard Ruccolo (aka Tom) - especially when he was in the short lived TV series "2 guys a girl and a pizza place". However, he has been in several other things since and I cannot watch most of them because - well they were bad - so I am not that much of a fan I guess.
As for this movie, I did not get enlightened on any gay or other social issues (thank you) - there is way too much of that in "minority" movies. Nor was it so filled with nudity, sex, or other things - that usually make you wonder if it should be classified as porn. Nope, this is a movie... like other movies... I would have loved to have seen it at the theater on a date - I might have even taken the kids. There is nothing that offensive in it (well except for that pesky gay thing *grin*). Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Ick
Review: The performances are fine - but the story is just bad. It's not that Richard Ruccolo's character (Tom) is a complete [jerk], it's more that Dan Bucatinsky's (Eli) [isn't very smart]. I'm sure there are some people who are attracted to the wrong guy - but repeatedly? Actually, I have to believe that something must have happened during editing of the film. It is not cohesive. It must have skipped some major points to get from point A to point B then to the ending. And that's just not w/Tom and Eli, but 'Jackie' and 'Brent' too. How did they go from a first date to a wedding in no time flat? Ok for a watch - but not worth a purchase.
Rating:
Summary: good heart felt and funny story
Review: this movie is a real feel good movie, in my opinion. i really like the opposites attract feel to it. tom is the hunky straight acting guy who has the drinking problem, while eli is the uptight quasi fem guy. at first the two do not fit at all together and only go out because their friends set them up. the two have a horrible first date and only meet again after running into each other at a flea market and find out a little more about each other. just on the side each of their friends are hilarious and make for a good laugh on the side. for most of the movie both characters are trying to figure each other out. every encounter yields another discovery about who the person is. sometimes it is for the better and sometimes it is for the worst. both charactrers have trouble accepting the fact that they could be right for eachother. tom is very funny and esy going, but that is eli's problem with tom his lack of commitment and focus. while on the other had eli is too uptight for tom because eli is a perfectionist who has trouble being spontaneous and relaxed. the two end up in a big fight towards the end of the movie because their differences finally come to head and the two end up not speaking only to be reunited at ther friends' wedding. by this point the two begin to see past each others' faults and find the person they are looking for. they also realize that in a weird way they have started to live differently ever since entering into each other's life. and both end up changing for the better. of course there is a happy ending and love conquers all like any romantic comedy should end. by the way there are hilarious cmaeos by lisa kudrwo and christina ricci. both actresses are hilarious and really stand out in the movie. i really enjoy this movie and think that everyone should give it a shot. its good for a weekend rental when there is nothin good at the theater.
| 
