Gone, But Not Forgotten

Rating:
Summary: The Heart outshines the Budget.
Review: I love this movie. A sweet gay loves story with two hot guys and a great love scene. How many gay stories are there about people who die, or the hardships of coming out? This is a story about two guys who get together. Although, it is not unrealistic. Any relationship, including gay relationships, can be hard if not supported by family/friends/society - this movie depicts that. Clearly this movie is independent - made for a low budget. But the movie has a very honest quality to it - the director was obviously able to do what he wanted to do, which I beleive was to make a sweet gay love story. Granted, the camera person should be shot on sight - the editing and score saves the movie from the incompetent camera work. This is a great love story - great because it it is simple and honest. The earnest and honest heart of the director shines through.

Rating:
Summary: Simply superb
Review: I purchased this film upon the reviews that I had read and it was absolutely well worth the money and the wait.

This may not have started off with a multi million dollar financial package but it truly did not need it. There are no faults I can find with this film.

As others have said, the chemistry between Drew and Mark and that between Drew and most of the cast was brilliant and had just the right amount of humour as well as a basic feeling of wanting to be needed. It showed perfectly the relationship between Drew and each of the people who surround him and how they react to his slightly carefree attitude to life but the best thing is that it doesn't make him seem careless only carefree. This means that when he says that all he wants is someone to come home too you feel that he really means it and it is not for effect.

The ending may have been obvious to some within the first ten or so minutes but it did not stop the warm feeling rising when it happened and when Mark finally realised who he was and who wanted. The idea of not showing the incident and how Mark lost his memory was very well thought out. It gave us small glimpses throughout the film until the end when you finally get to see how the whole thing happened and why Drew reacts through the film as he does.

This a really very good film and is one that people should watch who want a feelgood film with what I can only describe as the perfect ending.

A TRULY TERRIFIC FILM.

Rating:
Summary: GOOD STORY, BUT AMATEURISH RESULTS
Review: I really wanted to like this film. and I applaud the filmmaker's attempt to tell what could have been a very engaging story, but this is one case where the lack of a budget may actually have hurt the overall effort. This plays like a first draft of a screenplay which fails to effectively expand on a good basic story. With better writing and more nuanced direction, even the shot-on-digital-video imagery would have worked. Matthew Montgomery is very effective, hampered as he is with the poor dialog written for his otherwise interesting character. I wanted a better movie for him to play in, since he tried very hard to convey the confusion and inner turmoil that Mark was going through. In this instance the fragmented flashback technique was used to good effect in helping the audience see the emerging story. Unfortunately, Aaron Orr, though he looked the part, is not a strong enough actor to match Montgomery's performance. His portrayal of the lonely, haunted Forest Ranger fell so far short of the mark that he actually bogged down the action and left me alternately confused and exasperated as I tried to figure out just what his character was really feeling. A stronger actor in this central role, again in spite of the weak dialog, would have elevated this film and made the whole viewing experience much more satisfying. The Writer/Director, Michael Akers, needs to hone his writing skills and take a cue from other, better films when attempting to build dramatic tension and craft scenes which touch the audiences emotions, which certainly could have been achieved with a story this good. Yes, this is a good Gay-Themed story and we need more films which promote a positive image for gays in these troubled times, but...they need to be WELL MADE films as well. We shouldn't have to settle for less, and that is why I can't recommend "Gone, But Not Forgotten".

Rating:
Summary: Loved this movie!
Review: I rented this movie, watched it, and as soon as it ended i went online and bought a copy. Its a very romantic,passionate love story. It has the hottest gay love scene I have ever seen in a movie! The three male leads are all really attractive and the story holds your attention till the end!

Rating:
Summary: An indie with a sweet heart
Review: I see several reviews around panning this film because of its low production value. It surprises me because this film doesn't advertise itself as some big epic production. I saw this in Philly on the big screen to a packed house. We all had a great time. Six crew and six cast put this together themselves, and that's what makes it so special. The sweet love story, this character driven little movie is unusual in the gay genre. Two guys who are in a melodramatic struggle to be together. And in the end, they live happily ever after! It's just a fun little movie. What's so bad about that? You're not going to see giant production value: it's digital video. But you are going to see an honest film, one you can even watch with your relatives. It might just change someone's mind...

Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT FILM!!
Review: I think this is an excellent film. Gay cinema is a little hard to take at times because a lot of the films are cheesy and low budget. This is a low budget flick. But intelligent performances by the cast and an intelligent screenplay give the film more merit than it is getting in these reviews. Matthew Montgomery is excellent as the confused amnesiac. Aaron Burr could use some acting lessons but he is still likeable as the insecure and confused Drew who takes Mark (Matthew MOntgomery) in and falls in love with him. They are the reason this movie works. They are wholly believable and likeable. I think the movie succeeds on all counts despite its low-budget look. I also love the soundtrack!! The commentary is interesting and all in all a great 'gay' flick right along up there with "Get Real", "Beautiful Thing", "Trick" and "Broken Heart's Club".

Rating:
Summary: Best Forgotten!
Review: I'm not gonna go into a lot of detail about the plot of this movie but instead I'm gonna focus on the two things that were truely horrible with this film. The acting was an atrocity. I've seen better performances at high school plays. The dialogue was equally bad and you will find yourself nodding off for most of this film. The one thing that was done well (moderately) in the film was the love scene...which was not graphic but slow and sensual. Other than that there is nothing good to say about this dvd. The best thing about this dvd was the cover. Do yourself a favor and skip this one. A complete waste of time!

Rating:
Summary: Gone, and best forgotten
Review: If only there was the option of a zero star rating because this "film" more than deserves it.

Where to begin? This is not a low budget film, it is a no budget film, it is appalling. The acting is wooden beyond cult status redemption, it is impossible to feel any empathy at all with the characters. The production values are non existent. If there really was a DOP involved they should be shot and never allowed near a film set again. What was it with the changing colour temp during scenes, and the lighting, that was a joke. I think the fact this project was written and edited by the director speaks volumes. A self indulgent pile of tripe! You couldn't even compare it with a student film; a student would have put in more effort.

The only redeeming feature, if there is one, is the concept. The idea is a very good one and given a proper budget and a production team (including a director) who know how to make a film, this could have been a nice little film. As it is you'd be better wallpapering the back room.


Rating:
Summary: Everyone's a critic. Give it a rest.
Review: If you believe in love and aren't afraid of a romantic boy-meets-boy movie, then YOU'LL LOVE THIS MOVIE. Granted this movie is low budget. But that is part of its charm. The movie has heart. It is a sweet love story between two guys - and they're pretty hot. What could be better? The movie focuses on the love story and doesn't try to pander to a gay audience by putting hot guys in a movie with no story. There is a simple sweet story, some conflict and it all gets tied up with a bow in the end. (I don't want to give away the ending but it made me feel great.)

Rating:
Summary: Fun and Endearing
Review: It would be hard to find two more cute or likeable leading men than the ones in this movie. It's a romance/mystery that unfolds handily as time moves forward and history becomes clearer with every scene. (It sorta moves forward and back at the same time.) It's effective story-telling and it hooks you in. Sometimes the leads' acting is a little spotty, but it's easily overlooked in the wonderful ensemble cast and woodsy sets. It lacks the spit-shine of "Latter Days" or the striking dialog of "All Over the Guy," but it has it's own charm and truth. Recommended.