bright, funny, sexy, and warm
I put off buying this DVD for over a year, as I thought it was just going to be another campy farce. Not that I have anything against that, mind you. But this surprising little film is so much more than the title might suggest: it is as warm and intelligent as it is funny. For starters, in his apparent labor of love, writer/director Alessandro De Gaetano pays homage to cinema of all kinds throughout the script, with cinematic references ranging from 'Casablanca' and 'Star Wars' to 'Moonstruck' and 'Maurice'. Every character name has a Dickensian, if not to say Freudian, significance. The plot is a deftly woven blend of comedy, politics, and romance. Butch Camp is a defense class for put-upon gays, run by outrageous, foul-mouthed, wise-cracking 'Sam' Rotweiller. Judy Tenuta is both butch and camp as Sam. Arch-wimp Matt (played by cute Paul Denniston like Woody Allen on speed) is underpaid, overworked, afraid of love and, fed up, he enrolls in the course. For his first assignment, he must go to a sports bar armed with butch vocabulary cards and infiltrate 'the enemy'. He encounters manipulative Janet Cockswell (yes, that's right), her gorgeous boyfriend Rod (!), and his friend Woody (!!). Rod is played by wonderful Jason Teresi, the sweetest hunk ever, without whose warmth, beauty, rye humor, and delightfully mischievous personality as a foil to Matt's nervous negativity, the film would not have worked. Matt is surprised to find someone 'straight' who is so sensitive, literate, and musical, with whom he has so much in common. Dismayed, disarmed, and despite his self-imposed aloofness, Matt starts to fall in love as Rod takes him under his wing. Janet and Rod are both attracted to Matt's bashful eccentricity. Rod quietly and steadfastly pursues the hapless, defensive Matt. He is seductive and persuasive by virtue of his compelling looks, athletic body, and honest, gentle, caring, insistent nature. His smile and twinkling eyes could melt any heart. However, they also seem destined for one another because (a) Matt needs furniture and Rod has 'a great five-piece sectional', and (b) they both have stunning hair. Their romance is the heart of Mr. De Gaetano's story -- and the most pleasant surprise of the film. Treasure abounds as Matt and Rod find each other, and themselves in the process. They are the sweetest couple this side of 'Beautiful Thing', and theirs is the sexiest love story since 'World and Time Enough'. The film is not without its flaws and miscalculations, to be sure, but they become insignificant when the characters are so warm and winning. The full five stars are for them, with thanks. I just wish dreams came true in 'real life' like they do in 'reel life'.
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