Customer Reviews

All Over the Guy [VHS]

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(35)
3 star:		(13)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A straight couple (Sasha Alexander and Adam Goldberg) set up their respective best friends, both gay (Dan Bucatinsky and Richard Ruccolo) on a blind date. While the straight romance goes swimmingly along the gay couple lurches from crisis to crisis. Dan Bucatinsky, the star, also wrote and produced this romantic comedy-drama. There are many side-splitting scenes and great one-liners--the two men's disastrous first date, where they seem to have absolutely nothing in common, is especially on-target. The more serious scenes between Bucatinsky and Ruccolo, as they start to realize that they _do_ love one another after all, don't work as well, the dialogue lapsing into clichés. There is also too much glib pop psychological explanation as to why the two guys are so dysfunctional with regard to relationships. Still, with the talents of actors such as Lisa Kudrow, Cristina Ricci and Doris Roberts in supporting roles, this movie kept me continually laughing and entertained for the duration.

It's great to see more and more fine portrayals of the gay community be presented so eloquently and thoughtfully on the silver screen. Last year's excellent "Broken Hearts Club" exemplified itself as a pristine presentation of a group of gay twentysomethings living in California. That story was touching, funny, and brilliantly well-crafted. Now we have "All Over the Guy." This film is a bit more intense (as it is funny) as two handsome gay men come to terms in establishing a relationship through the turbulent waters of dating and occasionally "running into one another" through their mutual heterosexual friends. This fine film stars Richard Ruccolo (of ABC's now cancelled "Two Guys & A Girl") and real-life gay screenwriter Dan Bucatinsky. Both leads are believable as they attempt at finding meaning with their on-again, off-again relationship. Their heterosexual counterparts (the ever-funny Adam Goldberg, and the beautiful, talented Sasha Alexander) in the film are just as funny and truly supportive of their gay friends' quest for monogamy, intimacy, and succeeding in becoming boyfriends, especially after Eli (Dan Bucatinsky) expresses his love for hunky-but-alcoholic Tom (the gorgeous Richard Ruccolo). "All Over the Guy" is not only a perfect gay date film, but enjoyable for its wonderful story and memorable cast. How ironic that when I went to go see this film with a large group of friends, some of them wound up expressing their true feelings for one another (to those guys they've liked secretly for sometime), that couples were spawned out of years old friendships. How amazing! Wish it was me, though. Regardless, the film is worth rushing out for to see it!

Yes, I really liked this movie; it is, in the end, another addition to the feel-good gay relationship movie library. I thought the actors were very good and mostly believable; I enjoyed seeing a gay couple exhibited as having the same problems in their relationships as straight couples, I enjoyed the straight sidekicks--without whom the movie would not have been complete.

But then, on the other hand, we have another movie that is set in the la-la land of "all gay guys are good looking;" "all gay guys have unlimited witty one-liners;" "all gay guys have a best friend who is straight;" "all gay guys have their own great apartments surrounded by great neighbors;" and, the one I love the most, "gay relationships blossom out of no shared interests between the partners." So as a date movie I think it's great, and I own the DVD, because I liked it that much. But then there's that undeniably present and depressing feeling we'll all get when we leave the theater of "why can't I have that?" The answer, of course, is that "that" only exists... on the screen. Which is fine at the movies, that's what movies are for. In the end, while the script could have used some work to make the characters more real, I thought the cast delivered beautifully.

Whenever I buy gay-themed DVDs of the romantic comedy genre, I always tell myself that I'm watching the film to be entertained and not get stressed by the topic. This is exactly my feeling for "All Over The Guy".

I must admit that Dan Bucatinsky (Eli) is not my idea of a perfect lead, but hey, he's a perfect foil for the oh-so abrasive character of Richard Ruccolo (Tom). The chemistry was off-center at the start of the film, but they eventually worked their way towards becoming a delightful pair of on-and-off lovers who just couldn't get their relationship off the ground.

Richard Ruccolo is a revelation in this movie. He is so natural as a straight-acting gay man without giving any hints that he is uncomfortable performing the rudiments of the role, such as a few kissing scenes with Dan Bucatinsky.

The script (written as well by Bucatinsky) is so witty and gay without resorting to excessive melodramatics. The icings on the cake are the cameos of Lisa Kudrow and Christina Ricci who add some glitz to an otherwise "relatively less popular" cast. Kudos to Doris Roberts who account for wonderful scenes as an AIDS-clinic receptionist.

This has gotta be one of the most under-rated and "under-known" US-made gay movies out there (well, maybe not under-rated since nearly 80% of the reviews here are 4- and 5-Star). But how could it have gotten by without having kicked up more dust?

Each time I watch it I enjoy it more, each time I watch it I appreciate it more. It becomes like picking up and studying a finely crafted object; it suddenly hits you: hey, there're no seams here, no rough joints; its finish is wonderfully even. How'd they do this? And then you think: Well, Goldberg and Alexander......sure, they've been around for awhile and are truly spot-on here, but.....Bucatinsky...who is this guy??!!?? (only the one who crafted/wrote this play-to-movie, of course).....and Ruccolo...wow...where'd all this acting depth come from of a sudden? And however in the world did one apparently straight guy actor playing against one apparently gay guy actor get this so right? Well, the answer has to be, of course, that they understood if it's about love, it just doesn't matter whether 2 guys, or guy and gal, or 2 gals are the focus. These actors obviously came to realize that, and so it became easy for them to act that. (Not something that two other guys, named Ennis & Jack, were ever fortunate enough to learn in time, eh?).

Well, on to a bit of what this movie's all about. A pure romantic comedy this is NOT.........perhaps, more correctly, it's a "dramedy." After all, how many mainstream gay movies have you seen in which a character utters such descriptively jarring words (see title of this review) after a sexual act that's earlier taken place? Yes, this movie's for real and is very much a real life movie. Just stop to think about it---that when you've had Eli's and, particularly, Tom's kinds of childhood---well, you'll then have a great deal to overcome in adult life, whether it be a heterosexual or homosexual one. And if you, dear reader, haven't grown up in a household where alcohol has been a parental "drug of choice," then don't presume to judge Tom's behavior in this movie. Most realistically, Ruccolo has made Tom a direct product of his parent's relationship.

In this dramedy Ruccolo gives us an especially intense performance which is actually easy to see, if you will only carefully watch his scenes: the telling facial expressions and eye movement; his body-set when he, for example, moves to stand against Eli in one scene, or to unobtrusively cup Eli's hands in another; even his movement of jaw muscles (did someone think his role through, or not!) His end-of-film, wedding kitchen tirade ("Hey!!!!!........") is more than enough to almost scare and stop any viewer short, as it certainly does Eli in that scene. This guy is one hell of an actor......why haven't we since seen a lot more of him? (The "curse" of playing a gay role, the hex of giving us such an intense guy-on-guy bedroom scene; is there such a jinx as this?)

Yet it is in Eli's control freak behavior that lies Tom's salvation. For, of all the inappropriate things Eli's shrink parents (and they're marvelously performed) have given him that they shouldn't have, it's his capacity for understanding (which they also bequeathed) that will in the end save Tom......and Eli, himself, for that matter. And Bucatinsky is just great at showing us a little bit of ourselves (or, perhaps, a lot) in his skillful portrayal.

If you're reading reviews for a movie such as this, then please accept my recommendation to make it a part of any DVD collection you may have.....it's more than worthy of repeated viewings.......you'll catch so much more each time that you do.

PS--Can't help but conclude these comments by saying that, IF "I" had been the scriptwriter for this marvelous little film, the following is the way "I" would have wrapped things up. At movie's end we'd find our struggling duo sitting and conversing in a garden, when all of a sudden you'd see in their eyes and faces---as if the proverbial light bulb's been turned on---each one realizing that they have in the other what they've been needing and wanting all along. What a great heart-swelling moment it'd be for us, eh? (Oh.......what's that, you mean somebody else already's done that?)

****

I had ordered the DVD of "All Over The Guy' on the strength of Richard Ruccolo. I loved him in '2guys and a girl' and was eager to see him in another role. Richard really breaks out of the sitcom mould in this movie - his characterisation of a chain smoking, heavy drinking masculine gay man is nothing short of breathtaking. The film itself is wonderful. It really delves into the difficulties of gay relationships in todays' society and how hard it is to meet 'Mr Right'. The onscreen dynamic between Dan Bucatinsky and Richard Ruccolo is excellent - you really are drawn into the complexities of their relationship. A special note should be made of the DVD. Unlike many smaller budget, indi films, this one is packed with features such as an audio commentary, deleted scenes, storyboards, interviews, trailers and a short film made by the director that will have you glued to the screen for hours. A wonderful movie that I wholeheartedly recommend.

"All over the guy" is a winning romantic comedy that brilliantly explores both gay and straight relationships, perfectly capturing the fears, foibles, and confusion facing modern twentysomethings looking for love.

Eli (Dan Bucantinsky, who also adapted the script from his stage play) and Tom (Richard Ruccolo) are complete opposites, set up by their two straight best friends, Jackie (Sasha Alexander) and Brett (Adam Goldberg) after a chance encounter in a furniture store.

Eli and his sister (Christina Ricci) are the products of therapist parents (his mother is played by the always hilarious Andrea Martin) who over-express, over-analyze and idealize love. The exact opposite of Eli, Tom is a detached, promiscuous alcoholic unable to express the slightest emotion. The two share a night of physical attraction but after constant bickering they quickly conclude that they cannot have a meaningful relationship. Despite a few chance encounters, the seemingly polar opposites quickly fall back into their single routines: Eli hits therapy and Tom hits the bars. Meanwhile, a blooming relationship and subsequent engagement between Jackie and Brett forces the estranged Eli and Tom to finally face one another, allowing more romantic complications to arise.

Julie Davis (writer, star, and director of last year's lesser "Amy's Orgasm) wonderfully directs the large cast with consistent skill and judgment, while Bucatinsky comes up with some unexpected revelations that effectively add darker tones to his abundant sense of humor. Best of all, "All Over the Guy" displays a light, warm, funny, and unself-conscious quality, making it loads of fun. It is definitely one of the better gay films out there, that gets better with each viewing.

I recently happened to stumble in to Quad Cinema ( NYC )on a very lonely day of the week. Much to my surprise I made it just on time for one of the movies that was on the play list. Now any New Yorker knows how hard it is to catch a movie right on time and actually have tickets still avaible. Well I sat down not kowing what to expect. By the time the movie started and your introduced to the first characters Eli and Tom. You wounder if this is yet another boring love story about two homosexual repressed men trying to find them selves. Only to realize that what they where looking for was staring at them right in there faces. Well call me a cynic but I was right. However it wasn't boring and by no way near trite. I actually fell in love with the movie. Not to mention Richard Ruccolo who plays Tom, an Alcoholic 3rd grade teacher. He is in my book such a cutie.. He deffinetly has K-E (For those who go to see this movie and I think you should. You'll get the acronym)But for those who opt not to go see it. Its Killer Eyes. It is very much a romantic comedy and then some. The two central characters discuss and play out serious emotional and psychological issues that gay or straight, we are all faced with Love, Lust and Alcoholism. The Director Julia Davis does it all in a very witty way.Which by the end of the movie. Your laughing and wondering what will ever become of Tom and Eli. Well Folks thats what imaginations are for. I highly recommend this movie. To all of those starving romantics like Me. You'll eat it up with a spoon.!!! But don't take my word for it. Go and see it and take what you can from it and move on. Movies like this come once in a blue moon.....
And For Richard Ruccolo (Tom) He is the Gayest straight man I have ever seen. Thanks for doing such a great job on your role and making every thing believable. I only wish I could meet a real Tom in new york . hehe. SO every one who reads this Go and See All over the guy I am sure you'll like it. I've seen it twice and toke my friend to see it. I never get tired of it and my friend walk away loving it to.. thanks

After watching this movie, my view of homosexual relationships changed forever. I am a 36 year old heterosexual woman, and I never thought a movie about homosexual males could move me the way this movie did. Bravo to the fine, attractive actors in this movie. Their passionate, angst-filled scenes slammed into my psyche, and opened my mind and heart. I would love to thank the people involved with this film for broadening my small mind.

This is a delightful movie. All roles are taken by good American character actors. I know that the writter of the play and of the script plays the lead (Eli). He is believable and very likeable.
What I enjoyed, the most, about this film, is that the gay charcters are just part of the whole fabric of the film. Their "gayness" is not the issue. As (most of the time) in real life, the film shows that gay people have the same problems, joys, hopes, and romantic dreams as anyone else does. The movie is simply about two guys that are the opposite of each other and about how they try to workout their differences due to the fact that they are falling in love with each other--both characters bring to the the relationship a lot of psychological garbage mainly stemming from childhood and/or dysfunctional parents. The flash backs are hysterical especially the ones about the psychologist parents.
One of my favorite actresses, Doris Roberts, has a small role that she makes simply wonderful by acting everyone else under the table.
Tom would be a character that I normally would not care too much for (my affections and sympathies being more with Eli); however, due to the skill of the actor portraying Tom, I really grew to understand, appreciate and sympathize with him. The actor is "butcher than thou" but still likeable.
In closing, if you desire a nice romantic movie to curl-up to--with or without someone, buy this film.