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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
First-time director Tommy O'Haver garnered a lot of critical acclaim for this contribution to the "new queer cinema." But he seems more clued in as to its weight than the reviewers. O'Haver rightly calls Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss a Tommy O'Haver "trifle" in the credits and he's on the money in estimating what his film is worth. For sure, the movie has much going for it; it's wholeheartedly enjoyable and packed with the usual dynamic that saturates most gay-themed films: what does one do when that object of desire is heterosexual? In this case O'Haver at least gives his protagonist, Billy, played by Sean P. Hayes, another obsession besides the Brad Pitt-lookalike, prophetically named Gabriel, who is enigmatically acted by Brad Rowe. This is because Billy is a photographer, as addicted to finding the perfect picture as the perfect man. His world is formed by old movies: From Here to Eternity and Imitation of Life are his criteria and the flirty foreplay by which to gauge whether or not a love will have stamina and staying power. Of course, Billy is bound to be disappointed by gay-friendly Gabriel, who is struggling in his own way as much as Billy. Full of the usual mix of second-string players who inhabit the gay milieu (e.g., the best female friend who has man trouble of her own, and the older, secure pal who has secretly held Billy in his sights for some time), O'Haver's film breaks the mold by keeping to a dark note. It resembles a Pedro Almodovar spectacle initially with its saturated look and primary-color palette. But three-fourths through, Billy and his gang walk into the contemporary gay equivalent of a Gidget movie. The shift is surprising and even sometimes funny. Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss has a lot going for it, but it's still just a trifle, and not a milestone in the genre. --Paula Nechak
Product Description
Billy is an L.A. photographer whose latest project has him re-creating famous cinematic kisses with male models. When a handsome and sexually ambiguous coffeehouse waiter begins posing for him, Billy becomes attracted to him but afraid to declare his infatuation. Sean P. Hayes, Brad Rowe, Richard Ganoung, and Paul Bartel star in writer/director Tommy O'Haver's winning romantic comedy. 92 min. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo Surround; Subtitles: French, Spanish; audio commentary; theatrical trailer.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
Billy's first Hollywood kiss is the first enchanting romance to come out of the burgeoning gay-themed canon of mainline cinema. And Sean Hayes, who plays Billy, is the character who gives it that charm. What's even more impressive is that Billy maintains this interesting charm smack dab in the middle of a movie with some marginally sympathetic and some downright unpleasant characters wrapped in barbed wire. There's a repugnant Paul Bartels playing a hideous chicken hawk photographer that everyone fawns all over who, in reality, would be thrown off the nearest cliff. And then there's Gabriel who plays the object of Billy's affection, who indeed is kissable, but that's about it. This character is played by Brad Rowe, a jarringly distracting Brad Pitt clone, and I do mean clone. But once you've sorted all this out, and waited patiently through a couple of subplots you're ready to sit back and root for Billy. He's as tied up in knots about love as any of us, but he's so good natured and hopeful, even when he's convinced he will never be kissed at all. There is one universal scene that will cause every gay man who has ever spent the night in the same bed with a beautiful boy you weren't totally sure was gay, and longed all night, awake and heart racing, lightly touching shoulders and panting. Billy managed to get through that, and more, but you keep rooting. This movie is so good, it transcends labels and is just a romance and a good slice of twenty-something life, albeit pre-career, a good date movie, for any couple combination. It has a couple of technical production problems, and a few too many affectations, but Sean Hayes gives a near-perfect take on good natured angst. This movie gets a recommendation from me. See you at the cineplex.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss" offers gay and straight film audiences something quite unique. It is a kitchy romantic love story with a gay twist, and all the trappings of a goofy romance. Sean Hayes absolutely shines as the boy-next-door, hopeless romantic photographer pre- "Will and Grace" days. Beware: Billy is not "Jack", and you will come to love his character just the same! A great supporting cast adds flavor, and the nice twist at the end just peppers a wonderful story overall. This film is creative, inventive, and wildly funny, and it made my personal "Top Ten" list for 1998. And DVD owners watch out! The commentary by director Tommy O'Haver absolutely adds to the magic of the behind the scenes of making this film. Don't miss it!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape|Amazon Verified Purchase
This film is great. This film can be compared to other outstanding gay films such as "Beautiful Thing" and "Get Real".
Billy is out to recreate some of the most famous Holywood kissing scenes with a bit of a twist. When he needs to find a model, he finds Mr. Perfect while being served a cup of coffee at a local diner. From then on, Billy is on a quest to claim this new model as his new love and to finish his biggest project yet. There are, however, some complications. Billy doesn't have enough money to finish the project so he needs to find another source of income and Billy doesn't know if his new crush is gay or str8.
Well, I think I'll leave it at that. This is a very adorable tale of gay puppy love. This movie is worth buying.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Billys Hollywood Screen Kiss
If you like Sean Hayes, this is a cute gay movie to watch. The female impersonators do a pretty good job also. Read more
Published 15 months ago by J. loucks
My Life Exactly...Almost...
This DVD is a great one to have 'just because'. Not only is it witty in many of the right spots, but the heartstrings become comfortably taught during many of the more... Read more
Published on April 25, 2008 by Joshua L. Lindgren
Fellini Meets Rob Reiner
Director Tommy O'Haver seems to have been unable to choose between making Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss a no-nonsense romantic comedy or a Fellini epic. Read more
Published on July 30, 2007 by Robert Szarka
A romping good time!
I bought this movie because 1)I LOVE anything Matthew Ashford and 2) Sean Hayes is hysterically funny!
Poor Billy's life is a shambles. Read more
Poor Billy's life is a shambles. Read more
Published on June 23, 2007 by 80sLady
A Pre-"Just Jack" Sean Hayes on a Modest Journey of Self-Discovery
There's nothing wrong with a pleasant film about a gay photographer struggling in LA with not only his career but his growing infatuation with a handsome, ambiguous model. Read more
Published on March 24, 2007 by Ed Uyeshima
Treasure
Have been looking for this movie in Europe for a long time, but it isnt available. Bought it here at a very cheap price. Read more
Published on March 12, 2007 by P. Dongelmans
I like Poloroids
Billy, as aspiring gay photographer who does all his work with a poloroid camera, finds himself attracted to Gabriel, a waiter who he suspects might be straight. Read more
Published on November 16, 2006 by Darien Wells
A Pleasant Diversion
I've waited a while to see this movie. I'm glad it lived up to its press. Sean Hayes was very good in his role. The story was cute and well acted. Read more
Published on March 2, 2006 by Charles V. Pierpont
great delivery time
the item was in perfect shape.the delivery was incredible,i think i recieved it in less than 4 days. i hope to do business with this one again.-greg
Published on October 16, 2005 by Gregory Reed
ok but not great
this movie was ok but kind of depressing the whole show builds up to this one thing that never happens and there is not munch of a happy ending, sean was great in it, a very... Read more
Published on October 1, 2005 by Jusitn M. Smith
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