Customer Reviews

Broadway Damage [VHS]

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

The last time I looked, a romantic comedy was supposed to be fun, improbable, unlikely, amusing, and topped off by a happy ending. BROADWAY DAMAGE fits the bill perfectly and will give you a pleasant and diverting evening's entertainment. If you liked TRICK or even the much-loved BEAUTIFUL THING, you're gonna love THIS movie, too!

Marc and Robert are a couple of real charmers, David offers a remarkably pleasant deceiving diversion, and quirky Cynthia pursues a glamorous carreer (perhaps a little over-long and over-done in fact). It all adds up to a lot of fun with even a few surprises in the middle of events that admittedly are somewhat predictable.

My favorite scenes are Robert's beautiful "grand gesture" and when Robert says, "Don't play with me, Marc" in the middle of one of the screen's sweetest kisses ever. I find myself playing them both on my DVD copy over and over again!

If you want realism, tragedy, or drama, watch The History Channel, "America's Most Wanted," or any number of available gay dramas on the market. But if you like fluff that makes you feel good and makes gay life look like it's a LITTLE fun after all, then you'll appreciate this little gem of a romantic comedy. Happy viewing!

I couldn't help but to think of Barbra Streisand as I watched this film. In her best performances, Barbra played the role of the ugly duckling who falls in love with the handsome leading man (Omar Shariff, Robert Redford, Jeff Bridges). This movie follows a similar formula, where Robert is the ugly duckling and Marc is the handsome leading man.

Robert has two dreams: becoming a songwriter and landing Marc. Likewise, Marc also has two dreams: landing a role on Broadway, and finding a handsome boyfriend. In addition to their friendship, Robert and Marc have one thing in common: "girlfriend" Cynthia, who is trying to find a job (one job in particular, that is). Marc and Cynthia decide to share an apartment. One day, while staring out the window of their new apartment, Marc discovers the man of his dreams (a musician with stunning good looks, of course).

Marc explains to Robert the concept of the "Grand Gesture". Its when you swallow your pride, buy flowers or something, and let that special person know you're in love with them. Easy for Marc to say, since he is good looking and popular with the gents. Not so easy for Robert, who gets turned down by the card store cashier. Humiliated, Robert gives up on good-looking boyfriends.

Here is where the story varies from the typical Streisand plot. While ugly-duckling Streisand becomes the beautiful swan by using her voice, her talent or (in the most fictional of plots) a makeover, Robert stays plain old Robert. Can Marc see past Robert's dull exterior? Can Marc see past the musician's beautiful exterior? Will Robert get the courage to do the "Grand Gesture" to Marc?

Those are the questions to be answered in Broadway Damage. By the way, what's with the title? Alhough the movie explains what "broadway damage" is, I'm not sure it was the best choice for the title. Personally, I would have chosen "The Grand Gesture".

Back to Streisand... If you love "The Mirror has Two Faces", you'll love Broadway Damage. If you hated "Mirror", chances are you'll still like Broadway Damage, anyway.

Like a good Broadway show, this film has it all: a great-looking, talented cast; a clever story; memorable music; optimism; and a warm-hearted ending. Michael Shawn Lucas is perfect as Marc, a sweet hunk trying to make it as an actor on Broadway. He goes to audition after audition, suffering rejection after rejection. Hence, Broadway 'damage'. His nerdy but cute song-writing friend Robert (Aaron Williams) harbors a secret passion for him, but hides it because handsome Marc is a perfect 'ten' and, therefore, out of reach. Their companion Cynthia -- overweight and over-the-top -- is played by Mara Hobel, no stranger to campy films. She played opposite Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford's daughter in 'Mommie Dearest', one of the great camp classics of all time. The three friends share career problems, relationships, and other personal traumas. They are loveable and a joy to watch. When Robert finally makes his 'grand gesture' to Marc, he does so in a wonderfully witty song (by Cindy Soltoff) which is sweet, bouyant, touching, and tuneful enough for any Broadway show. This is a real hit.

If you love a good romantic fantasy, you'll probably LOVE this. This film is about reliving those risk-taking moments when first falling in love, and it's ultimately about friends, arguing in favor of love beginning with a strong friendship. There are so few films of this genre (sad we even call this a genre) that have a light-hearted feeling. The script isn't an oscar contender, but that didn't bother me. The characters & performances have their sweetness and humor, and are easy on the eye. All my friends and I loved it (even the cynical ones).

"Broadway Damage" is the most adorably classic, campy, sassy romantic comedy I've seen in years!

Lead role, Robert (Aaron Williams), is absolutely cute as a button and his witty Broadway-style songwriting will make you blush and smile and get up and sing! Fellow lead, Michael Shawn Lucas, plays the role of Marc, an aspiring (not so successfully) Broadway star. The two are precious in a 'perfect ten' sort of way, and are accompanied by their quirky "fag hag," hilarious, gay-ball-busting best friend Cynthia. I have to admit I'm a softie for this actress, Mara Hobel, who was also a star in "Mommie Dearest" ("No more wire hangers!"). Brilliant. Just campy brilliance.

The production is brilliant, the characters and acting impeccable, and most of all, the climate is over-the-top, Broadway-inspired, campy bliss with the rooting of a classic romantic comedy. Ingenious, this one, and I guarentee it will leave you smiling and wanting more, especially if you're at all exhausted with the consistent formula of gay cinema. Pick this one up; it's charming and zany, and you won't be disappointed!

"Boy meets boy" is one of the timeless plotlines -- since the ancient Greeks at least -- and this well-acted romantic comedy adds a number of twists and turns to what could have been standard fare. The showbiz wannabes of the title who lust after, long for, love, lose, and land one another are appealling, and the men are all goodlooking -- even the presumably plain Robert, who in the real world would have no trouble attracting another man, even if he did wear a stupid porkpie hat as here. Perhaps that's why the director put the hat on him, to try to disguise how cute he is. The lead hunk, Mark, has a frequent bemused smile that suggests thoughtfulness. He is appalled to learn that casting agents think he "reads light," and it's one of the movie's accomplishments that Michael Shawn Lucas as Mark carries off the combination of masculine appearance, conversation almost devoid of camp, and an unaggressive sensitivity that makes you like him -- he's the hunk with a heart of gold, even though he is also clearly a gym bunny for whom climbing a tree is an exotic experience. His elusive "must have item," David, is dark and pretty as a movie mystery man should be. As the Long Island princess, Mara Hobel is good, but her character's main shtick (trying to land a job interview with Tina Brown despite having zero qualifications) is dragged out too long. The resolution of one of the movie's main romantic dilemmas in the last reel feels very artificial and is the only wrong step in this otherwise charming and witty tale.

C'mon, World, wake up and REdiscover this little gay gem of a movie. There are so many out there that easily deserve their 0- or 1-Star; surely this little pearl deserves more. Yes, 1997's "Broadway Damage" is probably one of the most underrated and least known "gems" of gay filmdom........why not discover its delights yourself?

So, just what is it about this production? Well, hey, there's no weird, dreary storyline; it's lite and fun......with guys who are not afraid to kiss. Yes, Michael Shawn Lucas (as Marc) has a body "to die for" and, c'mon, when he's also as earnestly sincere and sweet as he is, who wouldn't wanna wind up with him. And it would be very hard to forget Aaron Williams (as Robert), playing an endearing "little puppy" of a guy, who'll bring down Marc in the end. In fact, both male leads wear their sincerity on their sleeves----kinda refreshing to think there might still be guys like this out there.

Above all, if you can't stand the sunny sincerity of a Broadway musical (but without all the singing), then stay away from this cuz it definitely tries to be sincere.......and succeeds at that in spades. Along with this there's really great cinematography: brite and colorful (how'd they do it with what must have been a piddl'in budget?). Hey, and there's that soundtrack to fall in love with, too. How Director Victor Mignatti put all this together, with no more money than he likely had, is anybody's guess and is a minor (scratch that), major miracle. How does a guy like this then just disappear from directing for the next 8, 9 years????? Sad, sad, sad.

In closing, one thing to possibly question is if maybe, just maybe, Director Mignatti should'a rethought the title. "BD" might resonate more with NY City-ers, but his own within-the-movie phrase: "The Grand Gesture" might have had more meaning to audiences at large (would the latter, as a title, have drawn in more viewers/buyers who'd fondly remember this film?). Ah, well, Monday morning "after-thought-ing" is always easier, isn't it? Besides, any way you look at it, Marc and Robert are gonna wind up being one of the favorite couples you'll meet in your home film library from time to time.....I betcha!

PS: You know what? I'll even bet this film is one that other favorite film couples, such as Aaron & Christian* and Cedric & Laurent,** would wanna have in their home video collections.

(((* "Latter Days" / **"Just A Question Of Love")))

Wonderfully crafted yarn about three friends looking to take a bite from the Big Apple. Mara Hobel as the shopaholic friend is fantastic. Michael Shawn Lucas is utterly dreamy as the guy bent on finding a perfect ten. Aaron Williams is very sweet as the not so perfect guy pining for his best friend's love. Guy Panaro is perfect as the opportunistic hustler/musician. All with Chelsea as a background. Adorable.

BROADWAY DAMAGE

(USA - 1997)

Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Theatrical soundtrack: Dolby Stereo SR

Responding to the cynicism which had begun to blight the movie business in which he was working in a technical capacity, writer-director-editor Victor Mignatti took several years to develop a script before making his defiant feature debut with BROADWAY DAMAGE, a bright and breezy romantic comedy with a shamelessly romantic heart. Michael Shawn Lucas and Aaron Williams play lifelong friends and fellow actors, chasing their dreams through the byways of Manhattan, securing one night stands in lieu of committed relationships, and sometimes getting involved with completely unsuitable guys (a liaison with hunky neighbor Hugh Panaro is particularly disastrous). Roommate Mara Hobel (the young Christina Crawford in MOMMIE DEAREST, 1981) knows instinctively that Lucas and Williams are destined to be together, but Lucas is completely oblivious to Williams' torch-sized infatuation. With all the familiar elements thus in place, anyone who doubts the possibility of a happy ending ought to be thoroughly ashamed of themselves!

At a time when most low budget gay movies have more in common with radio plays than anything else, substituting dialogue for visual stimulation, Mignatti explores his characters' obsessions whilst moving the plot forward with hardly a backward glance. Much of the film's success is due to the three appealing leads: Hobel plays a spoiled rich kid, stifled by her parents' expectations, who breezes through life in a fantasy world of her own making until Big Bad Reality begins to intrude on her complacency. Williams is actually too attractive to be entirely convincing as a geeky Sondheim fanatic, but his enthusiasm is genuinely infectious, and he plays the part like a stage character, with speech intonations straight out of a Broadway production. Meanwhile, Lucas provides the film's emotional core, and he conveys just enough charm and savvy to earn the viewers' affections. Nice pecs, too.

For all its pleasantries, however, this isn't an entirely rose-tinted view of the world. Mignatti's script endorses the fundamental value of our hopes and aspirations, whilst reminding us that such things are no defence against the harsh realities of modern living. An obvious lesson, perhaps, but worth repeating, especially in the company of such big-hearted, hopelessly idealistic characters. And if it all seems a little too bland and predictable at times, the movie scores points for daring to wear a great big optimistic heart on its sleeve. Mignatti's editing skills and Michael Mayers' polished cinematography gives the production a genuine technical gloss, and there's a handful of excellent original songs (by Cindy Soltoff, Gabriel Zenone and Ken Dahl).

Reviewers who don't like this film reveal more about themselves than they reveal about the film. It is an optimistic, joyful, old-fashioned, adorable, charming film - and some folks just don't like those good qualities in a film. But if you are looking for a film to cheer you up, or make you feel good about life, this is the film for you.
"Broadway Damage" follows the lives of three characters who just finished college and are ready to set the world on fire... if only they can get a decent job. One main character falls in love with a hot singer, only to find that he is not what he seems, but he later realizes that the man of his dreams was right under his nose all along. It's a storyline you may have seen before, but you have never seen it portrayed this brilliantly.
"Broadway Damage" is amazing in many respects: the talents of the actors are amazing; the editting of the film is immaculate - and could not have been better; the original music used in the film is the best I have heard in decades -especially Cindy Soltoff's "Men/Someone" piece, which is one of THE best songs to ever appear in a film or musical; and the dialogue is some of the best, wittiest dialogue you have ever heard out of the mouths of actors this young (early 20's). The film shows their naivete, but more importantly, it shows their hearts, and they are lovely hearts to spend some time with.
To call this film technically excellent is a great understatement. It is SUPERB in its technical qualities. For a low budget film it is no less than a miracle. You feel exactly as if you are there with the characters, strolling around Greenwich Village. And some scenes are so memorable... well, you just have to see them for yourselves. I can not recommend this wonderful film highly enough.