Customer Reviews

The Curiosity of Chance

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chance Marquis (played by Tad Hilgenbrink, whom some may remember from the "American Pie ... Band Camp" movie) is 16 year old Army brat, living with his stern widower military father and his precocious younger sister in Belgium, where he starts his sophomore year at an "international" school. The school seems to have the typical US high school cliques, rendered a bit more ludicrous by the various accents of the students from various countries. Chance has a definite flair for the dramatic, coming to school his first day wearing a cape, top hat and walking with a cane, which immediately makes him the target of the bullying captain of the football team. Also on the football team, as well as living next door to Chance and his family, is the hunky Levi (Brett Chukerman from "Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds), who quickly becomes the focus of Chance's fantasies, and actually is open-minded enough to befriend Chance, until his buddies on the team tell him it is soooooo not cool to be "friends with a f**." Chance hangs out mostly with two other misfits, the tough and sarcastic Twyla and the nerdy school photographer Hank, who conspire with him to get even with the bully. A night out at a gay club leads to Chance's performing in drag, a fact that becomes widely known at the school, much to Chance's chagrin.

Spot-on writing, a great cast and attention to detail makes "The Curiosity of Chance" (2006) a delightful "coming of age" film about standing up for yourself and your dreams. The setting in the 1980's, complete with clothes, hair and lots of music from that era, can lead to a conclusion that this is really a gay version of a John Hughes-like high school comedy from that era, but with a current sense of activism and self-respect, a la "Napoleon Dynamite." It may have been low budget, but they made the most of every dollar on screen.

Winner of several "best ..." awards at recent stateside gay film festivals, this US production was filmed in Belgium. DVD includes trailer and brief "making of" featurette. Definitely a keeper. I give it five "dramatic pause" stars out of five!

.......gratuitous (although it is a good lip-lock).

((Here is my approach to obtaining/viewing/reviewing Gay tales in film form. Simply, it's seeking the holy grail of that genre, or looking for the "Addictive Film"---that movie one returns to time and again). Selection/purchase is based mainly on finding new releases by favorite directors/screenwriters and/or your comments/reviews at major online film sales or review sites. Sometimes I feel correctly steered by you (the "Keepers" filling my DVD shelves), other times mislead, occasionally badly (the "Throwaways"----and I do toss 'em). Rarely, I come across the "Addictive," those watchable every couple of months or so (see below starred *** area for a list......and some of the "near-Addictive" as well). For some movies, I'll share even a short review with you, as follows below. Thanks for sticking with me so far.))

While this film doesn't merit a lot of comment, here're just a few observations---

- It's cute, it's innocuous and it's in no way innovative. What it does do is reinforce---in a fun way---the principles of standing up for oneself, appreciating the friends one does have and, most importantly, keeping hope (re: that last 2-person scene).

- This definitely will appeal to the high school crowd (what's really goin' on here---is this just a little different take on the "High School Musical" theme?).

- Just a thought or two about our leads---Hilgenbrink: a little "one-note" in his come-across (but at only age 23 or so when shooting, and with not much in past filmed performances, he has the greater potential of the two male leads) // Chuckerman: just because you're cute doesn't mean you can act (gonna get in trouble for that one---from girls, maybe boys) and gave a rather wooden performance (he was much better at "dragging us into the picture" with his performance in the year 2000 Short: "Crush"). Do have to allow him this, though---the facial expression he gives us, while walking away after "the kiss," was a priceless moment // Aldevina Da Silva's work here was tippy-top above the rest. If there's an award for this sort of thing, it belongs to her.

***If you want something better in the gay teenager mode, try one of these: "C.R.A.Z.Y" C.R.A.Z.Y. // "Summer Storm" Summer Storm // "The Mudge Boy" The Mudge Boy // "The Last Day" The Last Day

****

I bought this film at a local store and wasn't to sure what to expect. I went in with a low expectation but I was really suprised by the overall quality of the movie. It had a good script,acting and excellent sound and picture quality. My boyfriend and I after watching it both thought that it was worth watching and will watch it again. a good one to keep on the shelf

Easily the best thing about "The Curiosity Of Chance" is that the Devo song "That's Good" accompanies the opening credits.

The rest of the film is really quite lame, barely entertaining, and highly forgettable.

The screenplay is far too apparently contrived and self-consciously striving to appear witty - and it is delivered with a distinct lack of passion or conviction.

I don't like that the main protagonist is a cruel smart-arsed vile little body fascist and yet he's presented as someone with whom we ought to feel empathy as he struggles for non-judgmental acceptance.

Chock full of tired gay movie cliches, there is particularly unforgivable opportunistic and abusive stereotyping in the portrayal of the school principal - who is targeted relentlessly for our supposed amusement as an overweight woman with no self-awareness of her body odour problem.

Noticeably placed eye candy in the form of actor Brett Chukermen is diminished by the fact that Brett doesn't move outside of the range of facial expressions which are almost trademarked "Jake Gyllenhaal".

I really can't see any reason to recommend this film to anyone - not even the Devo intro saves it.

I first found out about this movie by stumbling upon a YouTube trailer for it. Unfortunately it never got a chance to be a "blockbuster hit" at the theaters, probably because it wasn't mainstream enough for the average American family, but it should have been. Not only is it entertaining, but it really shows how it is for high schools kids who are military transplants, and/or who are openly gay in high school.

Highly recommended. If you've never known what it's like to be gay or different in high school, you should really watch this video. If you are gay and maybe experienced some rough times dealing with other kids in high school who picked on you, this would be a good movie for you also. Oh, and the actors they picked, especially Brett Chuckerman and Tad Hilgenbrinck, are HOT!

The lead character (Chance Marquis (played by Tad Hilgenbrink) was someone I could totally relate to. The movie was set in the 80's (best decade in my life so far) and had a very interesting cast of characters. Family moves to a new area and the kids start school and that's where things start for Chance. At home the father is a widower ex military man but pretty darned compassionate to his sons strange choices considering his demeanor played by Chris Mulkey. The film has it's serious moments but allot of comedy too. Very light and witty in some moments and others brought back memories of when I was bullied in school as a young man struggling with my own sexuality. I think anyone that was not popular was branded as something and always had their antagonist to deal with. If I didn't help them with cheating on tests I was bullied and threatened so I totally got Chance. I just wish I had his tenacity to let things slide off my back when it got to be too much but with my hot Irish temper that just wasn't me! lol Never managed to get beaten up, some angel on my shoulder I guess. In any case Chance was not alone, he had an interesting set of friends... a dorky photographer played by Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyze with his secret brief case, a misfit young woman with a mouth played by Aldevina Da Silva (LOVED her lines) and a jock / football player with his own inner struggles played by Brett Chukerman. The school principal was hilarious (played by Magali Uytterhaegen) who was apparently very odoriferous with a strange accent cracked me up! You will also meet a gaggle of drag queens and other assorted characters. HEY it was the 80's, everything was going on then. In any case I hope this movie is released in Blu-Ray eventually as I would love to add it to my collection.

Not a master work, but quite enjoyable. Yet again a story about a school outsider, who first becomes the object of nasty jokes and abuse and then a school star. From zero to hero.
The script doesn't leave a lot of to think about. It's predictable, but I don't mind that. As long watching doesn't hurt my brain, it's o.k.
Some performances are really good - just check the bitchy friend of Chance, or his funny sister. Chris Mulkey does his best too.
On the other hand there are parts which were player bad. To this group belongs for sure the foto-freak friend and the object of Chance's feelings - Levi.
The whole story is pleasant enough to give it a try. Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.

I saw this movie at an LGBT Youth Symposium, and was instantly hooked! It took a very short time from ordering to arriving at my door. Thanks so much for the great service!

I fell in love with this movie on the first watch through, and not only because of the top hat and eye patch. Great movie that doesn't dwell on the coming out part so much as being yourself.

It took me a while to get to see the very-well-reviewed 'The Curiosity of Chance', but I finally got around to seeing it and well, I could definitely understand what the fuss was all about.
It is indeed a very good movie with some great performances and kickass sountrack; it is quite relatable for most of us, and rings true. It's not extremely profound or anything, but it does make you think over and want to watch it one more time.
It seems most of those who saw it, love it, but yet, not a lot of people know this movie at all. It will be a great pleasure for me to share this with my friends and spread the word!! I think more people SHOULD see this movie.
I hope it becomes widely recognized over time, becoming a cult or something. It deserves.