Customer Reviews

Boyfriends

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This film is about gay relationships, but refreshingly, it's not about being gay. A group of friends gather at a remote house in the English countryside for the weekend to celebrate Paul's birthday. Paul (James Dreyfus) and Ben (Mark Sands) have been together for five years, but Matt has become bored with Ben and this couple is on the verge of breaking up. Owen (Andrew Ableson) has been dating Matt (Michael Urwin) for three months and thinks he's finally found Mr. Right. Owen brings Matt to the party to introduce him to his friends, but Matt is not as committed to Owen as Owen is to him. Will (David Coffey), the oldest and most alienated member of the group of friends brings along a one night stand, Adam (Darren Petrucci), the youngest of the party attendees. Will longs for a man who will want him. Adam is more interested in having as much fun as he can. Along the way, each of them must confront themselves, each other, and what they want from relationships.

In terms of content, there isn't anything that breaks new ground here, but the cast and the script are appealing enough to hold one's attention. The movie does suffer from British sound (something I remember Richard Carpenter, creator of "Robin of Sherwood" that ran on Showtime in the U.S. in the mid-80s, complaining about in terms of British TV and film production) where things become difficult to hear at times. People unfamiliar with British accents and slang may be at a double disadvantage trying to understand that which they can not hear.

I've watched the DVD a few times and I still enjoy it. It has a non-exploitative approach to its characters and their sex lives. And fortunately, we are saved from the "I hate to be gay, why am I like this?" that characterizes too many gay films prior to the mid-90s. I do wish there was a directors' commentary track as I enjoy knowing why creators make the choices that they do.

As an additional feature, the DVD also includes an animated version of the story of Achilles. This short film is shot in beautifully rendered stop motion animation and narrated by Derek Jacobi.

As a whole, I think this is a decent addition to any collection of gay DVDs. People who enjoy this movie are also likely to enjoy "Like It Is", "My Beautiful Laundrette", "Queer As Folk" (BBC--Series One), "Get Real", "Lilies", and "The Broken Hearts Club."

Though my title for this review is directed in some measure to the characters in this film, I'm speaking mostly to the reviewers turning in such pointlessly cruel comments. I will grant that this film suffers from "Indie" film syndrome (meandering plot, questionable acting, etc.) and is shot in typically dark settings for a British film. And yes, some of the characterizations are about as sharp as American cheese.

This is not a film for solo viewing, unless you are an insatiable drama queen. Ideally, your lover/partner/whatever would be there to watch the film as well. Take it from someone who did just that, less than twenty minutes ago. It's very interesting to see how you both react to the themes and dialogue in this film. Who is laughing while the other one is scowling? Who finds something poignant that the other one views as cliche?

I have to disagree with the reviewer who said this wasn't a "date movie." I think this film would be great as a fourth or fifth date movie, just about the time both people are starting to open up to each other. The men in this film are at different stages in their respective relationships: one pair has just broken up, another pair is about to, and one pair never really gets started. The fact that only one of these relationships is given a (traditionally) happy ending doesn't mean this DVD is a downer. There is an element of practical realism to this film, and in a time of blockbusters and ever-higher drama, I'm sure a lot of viewers would find "Boyfriends" to be boring. I wouldn't say that's a reflection of a poor attention span...it's more like refusal to suspend belief. In this case, suspending belief means accepting the premise that ordinary people are interesting, and that their problems/concerns are valid and worthy of the telling. It doesn't matter if you lived through the same things, or if you've had enough late nights in bars to catalog the whole of human behavior. If you don't see yourself or someone you know in one of the characters in "Boyfriends," you're just refusing to use your imagination.

I truly liked this film, despite the fleeting feeling of being jaded, or being a bit beyond the relationships portrayed. I appreciate dry humor, which this film provides in adequate measure. It was a hoot to spot James Dreyfus, who had a recurring role in the Absolutely Fabulous series. I had no idea he could be so (relatively) butch.

The DVD copy I purchased includes a short animated film called "Achilles," which is a (pardon the pun) queer but fascinating piece. My Greek Mythology isn't up to snuff, but the story of Achilles and his lover is presented in a quirky style (claymation? puppets?) that is strangely (but undeniably) erotic. If you're a collector of obscure/underground gay shorts, "Achilles" may be worth the price of this DVD alone.

"Boyfriends" is no better and no worse than American films ("Broadway Damage" comes to mind) that detail the ins and outs of gay relationships. It doesn't aspire to the same kind of stage drama as "Love! Valour! Compassion!," but a little of that kind of angst goes a long way. If you are interested in the subject of male/male relationships and friendships, I think you'll find some value in this DVD, as I do.

-Mic

Co-writers/directors Tom Hunsinger and Neil Hunter conjured this little Indie film in 1996, an examination of relationships among seven gay men that not only impresses as a non-exploitive, honest sociologic study of life in the 90s in England, it also is a film that is a healthy mix of humor and tenderness that stands up well more than ten years later.

Three couples of varying endurance gather for a weekend holiday to celebrate a birthday: Paul (James Dreyfus, remembered as Hugh Grant's ditsy travel book shop worker in NOTTING HILL) has been with Ben (Mark Sands) for five years but their relationship is rocky because of Paul's wandering eye for a lad he met at the funeral of his brother Mark; Matt (Michael Urwin) is celebrating his three month steady relationship with Owen (Andrew Abelson) though Owen already has the itch to move on; Will (David Coffey) brings his latest one-night stand twinkie Adam (Darren Petrucci), knowing that his chances of retaining the youth's interest are less than favorable. Into the mix comes James (Michael McGrath), the ex-lover of the recently departed Mark whose arrival and introduction to the group occurs in the form of a tryst in the woods with Owen.

Each of the paired men face confrontations and face honesty about their pasts - recent and distant - and it is through the weekend of bed swapping that each man finds his own real needs. And the results vary from happy reunions to factual realities of choices made.

The cast is a mixture of seasoned professional actors and newcomers who have not made subsequent films. There is a ring of honesty in the portrayals and the creators have opted to study compatibilities based on personality traits and needs as opposed to filling the story with the requisite soap opera subplots that tend to dampen the effect of these studies of groups and their lives. It is not a great film, but is an honest little quiet movie with particularly good performances from James Dreyfus and Andrew Abelson. Worth watching, even in 2007! Grady Harp, January 07

Though there is no real plot here; Boyfriends deserves a decent review. It's about the dynamics of three couples getting together for a weekend at a friends cottage in the woods; and the enteraction of the cast. It was interesting to see how each delt with their own problems. I didn't find it to be a comedy. The acting was good but those who like a plot are not going to enjoy this movie. It's very laid back. Drama, but no crisis

Many of the other reviewers have called this film boring, but I really, really liked this movie. You have the three couples: Ben and Paul (who have been together for 5 years and have just broken up), Matt and Owen (who have been together for 3 months and it is obvious that Matt loves Owen much more than Owen loves Matt), and Will and Adam who have just had a one night stand but Will wants it to be more and Adam does not. These three couples meet in a country house for Paul's birthday--six months after his brother has died. Paul, Matt, and Will are long time friends and their interactions are quite interesting. It is pretty obvious that Paul finds Matt to be insufferable and kind of naive/stupid. Will and Paul have a pretty good friendship, although they are a little defensive about their relationship problems with each other. Matt and Will come off as pretty pathetic in this movie, because they are so desperate for relationships but they have obviously picked partners that are all wrong for them. Adam is one of Will's old cases as he is a social worker. Adam is a very promiscuous young man who has sex with Ben the day after Ben and Paul have broken up. Adam is basically the king of the one night stand-he has had 29 by the end of the movie. Owen comes off as a complete jerk because he cheats on Matt with this guy-James-he meets during the weekend. It turns out that James is Mark's old boyfriend, who has just semi-gotten over his lover's death and is ready to move on. James is older than all the other guys and he plays a counselor type role for Matt and Ben who are obviously having relationship problems. Ben and Paul do work out their relationship problems and Matt and Owen and Will and Adam all seem to go their separate ways at the end, although one gets the feeling that Will and Adam will at least be able to be friends after this weekend.

This DVD had so much critical acclaim printed on the box that it seemed like a must-have. Critics were quoted as calling it witty, wise, endearing, deft, very funny, romantic... Let's start with romantic. This movie is about several couples who get together for a weekend at a house in the woods. Couple number one (A&B) has been together for 5 years and is on the rocks. Couple two (C&D) has been dating for 3 months. Couple 3 (E&F) isn't really a couple--just a one night stand between a 30+ year-old and a 20-year-old. And there is a 7th person (G) who was the partner of the brother of B. The brother of B died several months before the story takes place.

Well, here goes. A and B split up because B met someone at the funeral of his brother. It turns out that the one he met was D. D is only hanging around with C in order to rekindle his flame for B. C doesn't know this. While wondering through the woods, D meets G and does the nasty. G demands that D tell C. In the meantime, A is so upset with B that he sleeps with 20-year-old F, who seems intent on sleeping with everyone except E which is why E is also upset.

In the end, B realizes he loves A and tries to make up. A asks him several questions (eg, is the person B met at the funeral someone he knows?). B lies and says no. Actually, he lies several times. But still, they get back together. I guess the message is "Ignorance is bliss." On the other hand, C and D do actually break up for good leaving C, who is desparate for love, heartbroken and lonely.

I hardly find any of this romantic, much less funny. To be fair, the movie has some humorous moments at the beginning, but when you spend so much time tracking the different love triangles (more like rectangles), humor is quickly pushed aside.

On the positive side, the movie's greatest achievement is that it offers a realistic look at the world of gay relationships. Some of the actors are also quite good. Be warned, however, though the box refers to them as "an attractive cast", don't expect Brad Pitt, Freddie Prinze Jr, or Keanu.

Many of the other reviewers have called this film boring, but I really, really liked this movie. You have the three couples: Ben and Paul (who have been together for 5 years and have just broken up), Matt and Owen (who have been together for 3 months and it is obvious that Matt loves Owen much more than Owen loves Matt), and Will and Adam who have just had a one night stand but Will wants it to be more and Adam does not. These three couples meet in a country house for Paul's birthday--six months after his brother has died. Paul, Matt, and Will are long time friends and their interactions are quite interesting. It is pretty obvious that Paul finds Matt to be insufferable and kind of naive/stupid. Will and Paul have a pretty good friendship, although they are a little defensive about their relationship problems with each other. Matt and Will come off as pretty pathetic in this movie, because they are so desperate for relationships but they have obviously picked partners that are all wrong for them. Adam is one of Will's old cases as he is a social worker. Adam is a very promiscuous young man who has sex with Ben the day after Ben and Paul have broken up. Adam is basically the king of the one night stand-he has had 29 by the end of the movie. Owen comes off as a complete jerk because he cheats on Matt with this guy-James-he meets during the weekend. It turns out that James is Mark's old boyfriend, who has just semi-gotten over his lover's death and is ready to move on. James is older than all the other guys and he plays a counselor type role for Matt and Ben who are obviously having relationship problems. Ben and Paul do work out their relationship problems and Matt and Owen and Will and Adam all seem to go their separate ways at the end, although one gets the feeling that Will and Adam will at least be able to be friends after this weekend.

Relationship trials and tribulations aside, this movie is just plain plodding and sluggish. I wanted to like it, really I did. It is NOTHING like "The Big Chill" (which the "box" indicates)... it has no real charm, no depth of history between these men, and no break from the endless parade of gray moodiness. It fell short of even convincing me any of these people loved each other (including the frienships). Disappointing.

While clearly not for everyone, this film portrays a set of relationships which are not that uncommon . What sets them apart is that all the players are men. The usual bits of jealousy and "oops, I meant to tell you" are all there, with a twist. Not a date movie!

If watching seven british men whine about their love lives is your idea of entertaining, then by all means check out this video. Otherwise, stand clear. The dialogue is tedious, the characters are contrived and their motivation is absolutely forced. All you can hope is that the killer from "Cruising" might pop up and finish them all off. Not funny, not romantic, and not worth one's time.