Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
An Examination of Gay Relationships, October 27, 2001
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."
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12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Get a grip, guys!, July 17, 2000
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
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Boyfriends and Boy Friends, January 17, 2007
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
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