Product Details

• Actors: Kathleen Chalfant, Craig Chester, David Drake, Camryn Manheim, John Cameron Mitchell
• Directors: Leslie L. Smith
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Water Bearer Films, Inc
• DVD Release Date: May 10, 2005
• Run Time: 103 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007WFXI0
• Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #106,529 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Art House & International > By Genre > Romance

Editorial Reviews

Review

A modern take on gay relationships... a queer Indie dream. --Out Magazine

Product Description

This uncharacteristically sweet indie film from writer/director Leslie L. Smith stars Anthony Rapp (Rent) and Emmy Award winner Camryn Manheim (The Practice) as a pair of roommates. David (Rapp), a young, gay,aspiring documentary filmmaker, takes his first tentative steps towards his adult life. Gwen (Manheim), ending a mysterious marriage, is looking for stability. Together, they try to maneuver their way through New York on a search for happiness. Instead, they find bad dates, worse job interviews, and bizarre sexual encounters. The supporting cast features well known theater actor cameos. DAVID SEARCHING will warm your heart as these richly portrayed characters laugh through the trials of life.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quirky but pleasant coming-of-age tale, May 13, 2005

By	Bob Lind "camelwest" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

This review is from: David Searching (DVD)

In the 1997 indie romantic comedy "David Searching", openly gay actor Anthony ("Rent") Rapp is teamed with Camryn ("The Practice") Manheim as a young gay man and a new divorcee sharing an apartment in Manhattan. Rapp plays David, who moved to NYC to pursue his dreams of becoming a famous filmmaker/documentarian, and also to find "Mr. Right" along the way. Neither search is going very well, because David isn't quite sure what he is looking for, nor how to react when
possibilities come along. He and (Manheim's) Gwen settle into a
comfortable living arrangement which actually makes it more difficult for either one to realize they want more out of life, and depression sinks in when they have moments in which this comes to light. Gwen has an affair with a former tenant of the apartment (who still has his keys and just appears on the sofa one day, sleeping off a drinking binge after breaking up with his girlfriend). Meanwhile, David goes through a series of "dates from hell", and also makes friends with a female comedian in a local club, who helps him to better see that he
needs to take more chances to achieve his professional and
relationship goals. In time, he learns that he is so concerned about finding the "deeper meaning of life" that he has lost perspective in the simple things that make it worth living.

Definitely a low budget indie, which looks older than its age (shot in 1996, but only recently released on DVD for the first time), and starts off rather shaky. But stick with it, and you'll find a quirky, delightful story obviously made best through the talented cast of actors, especially Rapp and Manheim. Has a realistic NYC feel, with characters many viewers can relate to. DVD extras include only a director's commentary, recorded especially for the DVD.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One of the better gay films, May 13, 2005

By	Stephen Monaghan "Skewbee Due" (New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: David Searching (DVD)

I really don't hold a lot of high expectations for indies, but I was really surprised by David Searching. It was a very funny and touching film and I ended up thoroughly enjoying this movie. The performances are great, and some of the cameos are suprising. Leslie Smith, credited with both writing and directing, did a very decent job for a first film. I recommend it.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars And Now For Something New...., May 13, 2005

By	Chuck Zito (New York City) - See all my reviews

This review is from: David Searching (DVD)

I found this film to be a refreshing change from so much of the standard gay-indie movie fare. From the first frame, when the hero (Anthony Rapp - and how fun is that?) sets out to find his way through love in the big City, DAVID SEARCHING never talks down to the audience or treats us as if we've never in our lives seen another gay film. The wry sensibility that inhabits this urbane romance is really the heart of the film. Plus, there's Camryn Mannheim in a supporting role and a great cameo by Craig Chester. Freshman writer/director Leslie Smith has put together a fun, literate romance his first time out.