Customer Reviews

Love! Valour! Compassion!

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I suppose I can understand where so many of my fellow viewers claim that the characters in L!V!C! are sterotypes. For the most part, they do fall into cliched perceptions of gay men...however one must bear in mind that not only is the author a gay man...he is a multiple Tony award winning playwright..one has to assume he knows that of which he writes. L!V!C! was a beautitful, tocuhing and laugh-out-loud funny piece of theatre when I saw it on Broadway, and it lost none of it's elegance in it's translation to film. The cast is superb...and for those who critisize Jason Alexander's performance as being one-dimensional obviously didn't watch through until the end of the film. Alexander delivers a rich, layered interpretion of the show-tune singing Buzz...and brings levels to the character that were left completely unexplored in the stage version. L!V!C! is one of those rare film that you can watch again and again because it has it all...you'll laugh out loud, you'll muse at difficult truths, you'll learn a little something about yourself and you might just shed a few tears. An extremely worthwhile film penned by one of the Great American Masters...treat yourself and view this film at the first oppertunity you get.

I came upon the movie by accident and though my finger hovered over the channel changer I found myself increasingly caught up with the characters and their lives. I laughed and cried and thought it was a work of art. At first when I realized it was a movie about gay men I thought, "Oh no not another movie about AIDS",and indeed Aids was there but it only really hovered in the background for most of the film. The characters were quite believable and I laughed and cried and fell in love with this brave and intelligent film. The movie which comes to mind when I try to find a comparrison is, "Smoke signals" which is not about gays or aids or anything but life love and relationships and co-incidentally American Indians. I will buy this movie so I can see it again and I recommend it to anyone with a heart.

Who are we kidding? These characters are as close to real gay men in all their arrogance, vanity, and promiscuity as I've ever seen in a film. Yes, the stereotypes and cliches exist in the film. But what gay man doesn't display at least a couple of them? The romance between Jason Alexander and John Glover highlights how hard it is to find true and honest love in the gay world. It takes a man dying from AIDS complications to see that a lovable and worthwhile man exists inside of someone without a washboard stomach. It takes a a fat gay man to see the same in a man dying of AIDS complications. Who can honestly tell me that any of the other cuties in the film would've given either of the already mentioned characters a chance for romance? C'mon on guys, lets look in the mirror that this film is and ask, "If we don't like ourselves behaving this way, how can we change that?"

Though I'm without the benefit of having seen McNally's original play, it doesn't take a sleuth to figure out this story was meant for the stage. That kind of live performance would certainly help viewers to accept the 'over the top' drama that unfolds in L!V!C!, often with the subtlety of road rage. The men in this film all seem to be railing against the destruction of their lives and/or their relationships. Though this film is packed with PC moralizing and good-intentioned monologues, the witty script does a fair job of alleviating much of the emotional gloom and doom. The film's climax is (unfortunately) treated in arty seriousness, and plays like a gimmick to wring-out a few more tears after so much breast-beating.

The dialogues and emotional exchanges in L!V!C! are, for the most part, sincere and not affected. Jason Alexander is a marvel as "the little horror under the stairs," a far-cry from (Seinfeld's) George Costanza. Critics who belittle this part as "stereotypical" are overlooking the obvious: even depressed Opera Queens have stories to share. John Glover reprises his Tony winning dual role and provides this film's standout performance. The supporting cast is visually appealing, if not entirely memorable.

The structure of the story (as told over the course of several Summer weekends) is a slight detriment, in that it prevents viewers from seeing the characters in their respective haunts. That means that each of them winds up having to face his inner demons/turmoil because someone else in the group effects a challenge. No alliance is "safe" from harm or change, which makes the interplay fascinating to watch.

I guess whether or not you enjoy this film depends on your personal tolerance level for high drama. There is no linear storyline per se, but rather a sense of evolution, toward resignation or acceptance depending on the character. Despite the insular nature of the subject matter, there are plenty of humorous and genuinely moving moments to make the film accessible to a variety of viewers.

Incidentally, a DVD release of this film is overdue.

-Mic

I thought this film was outstanding. I put it in a class with the film "It's My Party". It's a wonderful character study, and I only wish that I could be part of a group of friends (as described by the narrator, "like a family") like this. Of course, some of the characters could be described as stereotypical, but they're certainly not one-dimensional. This story is splendidly cast, and beautifully filmed. It's touching, sometimes funny, sometimes painful, sometimes campy, but very realistic. I found myself drawn into it, and felt as though I was there in that charming lakeside country house.

Terrance McNally's LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! was a Tony-winning powerhouse on the New York stage--but the same cannot be said of the play's screen adaptation, which plays like a yuppie version of BOYS IN THE BAND that has unexpectedly collided with ON GOLDEN POND... but without much benefit to either.

The story itself concerns a group of eight gay men who meet at an isolated but lavish country house for summer weekends and who thrash out their various hopes, desires, and relationships in the process. In this sort of ensemble piece, where the story is more about people than plot, the cast is key--and in truth the cast is quite fine, with John Glover a particular standout in the dual role of John and James Jeckyll.

Trouble is, the gifts of the cast are repeatedly undercut by some of the most uninspired direction and cinematography going, and after a while it all begins to acquire a strangely superficial quality. I laughed now and then, I felt moved now and then, and I was occasionally impressed with some of the dramatic ideas involved. But when the final credits rolled I felt the film as a whole lacked any significant impact. The cast, however, makes it worth the effort.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer

The stellar performances of Jason Alexander (Buzz) and John Glover (James/John) make this movie, providing the most humorous and touching moments in this film. The Swan Lake scene, while funny, is probably the most sad, as each character explains how he will pass on.

Yet the most interesting character to me is Gregory, as he is the glue that holds this group of men together, generously offering his Victorian house for holiday vacations. It is he who starts the film with his narration, welcoming the viewer in as if we are a visitor to his home as well, and having the final narration during the Swan Lake scene. He is caretaker to his friends in life and in death, and the central character that the six others revolve around; it is befitting that he will be the last to go.

Each character struggles with his own demons; we are privy to their personal pain, yet all manage to rise above their problems and find joy in life and with each other's companionship. Even the most detestable character, John, is not entirely unsympathetic.

Yes, there's some stereotypical moments, but all in all, this is an enjoyable film, one that leaves an indelible impression.

I have not seen the stage version of this, but I have read the script. I was really taken, never more so than by the relationships the characters have, with their partners and their friends. The closeness is conveyed with a sensitivity that was unexpected.

Considering most of the performers were in the stage production, it seems natural they handle it so well. John Glover was phenomenal as the twin brothers, and Jason Alexander...well, I never cared much for his "Seinfeld" character, and I could care less about most of the other stuff he's done. But a well-done performance...I loved his hilarious naked romp, but even more his moment of introspection, his coming to grips with his illness and that terrible fear of who will be there for him when he needs someone?

All around, a film that inspired, and really got me.

I was pleasantly surprised on several levels. First, this was actually on TV (UPN) on a Sunday at noon. I've never seen anything like this on regular TV. Kudos to UPN. Second, I don't care for Jason Alexander. I almost skipped the movie because of him. He was so over the top and stereotypical...the first half. Stay tuned because he actually does some really good work, as does Glover. Finally, I really like hearing about the future of each character. Really helped to wrap it up. I find myself searching the internet to find other movies by this writer and with these actors.

I love a film that takes the time to invite you in, make you a member of the ensemble and take you through the story with them. This film touches and teaches one of life's most valuable lessons. Since seeing the film, I try to live each day as if it was my last and enjoy every moment of it and every person that passes through my day. Great cinematography, intellegent script and incredible cast. Should have won more awards than it did. Make it a part of your film library for future repeated viewings.