Rating: 
Summary: Summary
Review: "An important film in the history of American gay film making. "A Very Natural Thing" is considered the first feature film on the gay experience made by an out of the closet gay man to receive commercial distribution. The simple but insightful story involves a 26 year old gay man, Jason, who leaves the priesthood and moves to New York City in hopes of finding a meaningful gay relationship. Now a school teacher, he soon falls in love with a handsome young advertising executive, David. Together they discover passion and romance while learning to respect and love each other. 85 Mins." - Wolfevideo
Rating:
Summary: A Groundbreaking & Controversial Film Ahead of Its Time
Review: 1974 was an interesting year: President Richard M. Nixon imposed national 55 mph speed limits, he later resigned his presidency over the Watergate scandal, Turkey invaded Cyprus, Scelbi Computer Consulting was the first company ever to advertise a personal computer (the Scelbi), and Christopher Larkin produced, directed and wrote his only film, a groundbreaking & controversial film entitled "A Very Natural Thing". This film is regarded by many to be first widely distributed mainstream film to depict gay men honestly. Taking place primarily in NYC, "A Very Natural Thing" focuses on the life of David (Robert Joel), a gay man who is forced to leave the priesthood over his sexuality. One night at a bar with his friend Alan (Jay Pierce), he meets Mark (Curt Gareth). A romance develops between David and Mark, but problems develop because of their different views of what a committed relationship should be. David later meets Jason (Bo White, also known for his portrayal of Adam in the 1974 film "Bible!") during a gay pride march, but the emotional problems that David had with Mark could hamper a relationship between them.At only 80 minutes, "A Very Natural Thing" may seem short, but the story portrayed is just as meaningful now as it was in 1974. Were it not for the mid-1970's fashions and hairstyles (which some may find dated), you might think you were watching a contemporary film. Picture quality is not great since the film was shot on a low budget, but I have seen several contemporary independent films with much worse quality. Aside from that, there are many memorable scenes in in the film including seeing David & Mark rolling down a hill together in Central Park and seeing David & Jason rollicking in the ocean on the shore of Cape Cod. The most controversial scenes in the film for 1974 are the love scenes between naked men. Certainly, the film is not flawless, but for 1974 this was a groundbreaking film that clearly demonstrated what a film about gay characters could be. For that reason, and for being an engaging film, I give this film a rating of 5 stars. If you decide not to purchase a copy of the film, I highly recommend renting it to see it at least once.
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: An extraordinary gay film - and not because it may well have been the first. Here is that rare gay film (and indeed, rare hetero film) with fully-realized, complex and realistic characters. The love story, at once timeless and of it's time, expertly shows the on-going, conflicted development of a gay relationship in a way no current gay film does. In fact, it makes most current efforts, such as "Trick," and television's "Will & Grace," look all too shallow and trite by comparison. Made in the early 70s, the film is all the more amazing since it doesn't pander to weary stereotypes (like "Broken Hearts Club" and, before it, "Boys in the Band") or sitcomy jokes and half-hearted camp humor. Yes, this was made on a low-budget, but who cares? What's significant is that it's still considered "controversial" - far more so then throwaway movies like "Billy's Hollywood Kiss" and it's kind. The company that originally released it, New Line Cinema, is keeping a low profile about it now (they quietly sold it to an independent DVD/Video distributor), more then likely because of a few explicit bathhouse and orgy scenes that are actually intregal to the plot and the characters. A geuninely entertaining movie for gay audiences, especially those of who are sick and tired of all those shallow Hollywood "calling-card" indie efforts. This isn't a movie made by people who wanted to leap into the studio system, but by people with real personal visions and real stories to tell. Their urgency and commitment to their vision still resonates. But, of course, that's how they made films in the 70s.
Rating: 
Summary: Home Made
Review: Bad acting, bad script, bad music, horrible editing. Yikes
Rating: 
Summary: It was the 70's and we all had big hair...
Review: Despite many technical shortcomings (fuzzy sound, poor lighting, sloppy editing, weak script --so what's left, right?) this is a pioneering piece of gay Americana. Plot may seem irritatingly superficial by today's standards (what with QAF) but we must remember there were no other films of this type --none-- when this was shot. Same gender relationships were quite unspoken subjects in the 1970's and the fact the film deals with them --at all-- is its strongest asset. See it for the slice of history that it is. And be grateful, very grateful, someone back then had the guts to do it.
Rating: 
Summary: Dated and Dissappointing
Review: I'm not going to go into the sound/quality/ issues on this movie because it is an old film. I did enjoy certain parts of the movie. Basically the main character, leaves the priesthood, becomes a teacher and starts dating a nice looking Ad exec. They move in together under pressure from the teacher. The Ad man cheats on him and tries to get him to participate in orgies ect... They end up breaking up. Then the teacher meets a guy much more similar in his wants and ideas. However, now he basically tells the new guy, no I made the mistake of trying to be in a monogomous relationship and it was all my fault we broke up because I was unrealistic ect... so lets just live this one for the moment. I found this a bit difficult to believe. Most of the time when people break up they know it is because there was a problem, an obstacle ect.. in this film the character basically changes entirely what he wants and believes based on a single break up even the most self hating guy isn't going to completely change his thought process just because he things didn't work out with one guy. Here is an idea, go out and find a guy you click with a bit better. I didn't find it realistic and think it was more a chance for the filmaker to make a movie supporting his ideas on relationships. Still It was very nice to see that such a film was made so long ago and as a look at the history of gay film it is very nice.
Rating:
Summary: Dated and Dissappointing
Review: I'm not going to go into the sound/quality/ issues on this movie because it is an old film. I did enjoy certain parts of the movie. Basically the main character, leaves the priesthood, becomes a teacher and starts dating a nice looking Ad exec. They move in together under pressure from the teacher. The Ad man cheats on him and tries to get him to participate in orgies ect... They end up breaking up. Then the teacher meets a guy much more similar in his wants and ideas. However, now he basically tells the new guy, no I made the mistake of trying to be in a monogomous relationship and it was all my fault we broke up because I was unrealistic ect... so lets just live this one for the moment. I found this a bit difficult to believe. Most of the time when people break up they know it is because there was a problem, an obstacle ect.. in this film the character basically changes entirely what he wants and believes based on a single break up even the most self hating guy isn't going to completely change his thought process just because he things didn't work out with one guy. Here is an idea, go out and find a guy you click with a bit better. I didn't find it realistic and think it was more a chance for the filmaker to make a movie supporting his ideas on relationships. Still It was very nice to see that such a film was made so long ago and as a look at the history of gay film it is very nice.
Rating:
Summary: Endearing..like a faded photograph
Review: Incredibly, if you changed some details, this movie appears as if it could have been filmed a few weeks ago. It's that timeless. It's a love story which, despite a few muddy camera effects, unfolds seamlessly. The complexities of the relationship between the ex-priest and his two lovers are clearly defined, despite dialog that sounds, well, like it came from the 1970's. Oh well. The film does have an enchanting combination of innocence and lust. There's a good side story with bisexual tones which adds an air of avant-garde to the mix. An excellent date movie. See it!
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary
Review: Sadly, this groundbreaking film has not aged well, and is now more a historical artifact than a compelling drama. The plot is fairly simple: Boy meets Boi; Boy and Boi try to copy hetero marriage; Boy dumps Boi over infidelity; Boy gets liberated; Boy meets Boi2; Boy and Boi2 find happiness by rejecting hetero values. Quite daring for its time (and tremendously affirming for Gay men trying to adjust to life post-Stonewall), the film now seems archaic when viewed through a modern Gay sensibility defined by current issues such as civil unions, domestic partnerships, adoption rights, hate crimes and safer sex. The film's production values are also outdated. The DVD is grainy, with poor color balance and often muffled sound ... which is not the fault of the DVD producers, but rather reflects the financial constraints often faced by pioneering Gay filmmakers of the period. Compare this movie with more recent Gay-themed releases like "Trick", "Jeffrey" or even TV shows like "Will & Grace" ... we've come a long way on both sides of the camera (as filmmakers and as a commercially viable audience), and that's a very good thing! Deserving of respect as a Gay cinematic milestone, but pretty rough-going for anyone seeking pure entertainment.
Rating:
Summary: That Was Then ...
Review: Sadly, this groundbreaking film has not aged well, and is now more a historical artifact than a compelling drama. The plot is fairly simple: Boy meets Boi; Boy and Boi try to copy hetero marriage; Boy dumps Boi over infidelity; Boy gets liberated; Boy meets Boi2; Boy and Boi2 find happiness by rejecting hetero values. Quite daring for its time (and tremendously affirming for Gay men trying to adjust to life post-Stonewall), the film now seems archaic when viewed through a modern Gay sensibility defined by current issues such as civil unions, domestic partnerships, adoption rights, hate crimes and safer sex. The film's production values are also outdated. The DVD is grainy, with poor color balance and often muffled sound ... which is not the fault of the DVD producers, but rather reflects the financial constraints often faced by pioneering Gay filmmakers of the period. Compare this movie with more recent Gay-themed releases like "Trick", "Jeffrey" or even TV shows like "Will & Grace" ... we've come a long way on both sides of the camera (as filmmakers and as a commercially viable audience), and that's a very good thing! Deserving of respect as a Gay cinematic milestone, but pretty rough-going for anyone seeking pure entertainment.
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