i really did like this movie and have seen it several times. there is some very funny moments here. i did not care for the whole bit on the fundamentalist army people, but realize something needed to be in there to make some of the jokes work. for some reason i, as a gay person, get a real kick out of straight people trying to act gay. i realize they overdid it intentionally and to me and my sick sense of humor, it worked. i am sure some people would be terribly offended. for those of you that really want a very surreal look at gay life, rent gods and monsters or boys in the band.
Entertaining, but a Bit Over the Top
The 2001 comedy "Friends and Family" is about a New York City gay couple, Stephen Torcelli (Greg Lauren) and Danny Russo (Christopher Gartin), who have the unusual jobs of working as bodyguards for a mafia godfather named Victor Patrizzi (Tony Lo Bianco). How they became his bodyguards is because they were both former rangers from the U.S. Army. Though Danny's parents are never introduced, Stephen's parents, Mr. Torcelli (Frank Pellegrino) and Ada Torcelli (Beth Fowler), decide to pay Stephen a surprise visit. Of course, this causes a huge dilemna for Stephen: not because he's gay, but because of the jobs that he & Danny have. Apparently, Stephen had lied to his parents that he and Danny owned a catering business. Added to this unlikely scenario is that Stephen's father is a retired FBI agent. Fearing that Stephen's father might turn them in, Stephen and Danny talk with Victor who decides to help them make it appear that his bodyguards are nothing more than simple caterers by throwing a lavish party for Mr. Torcelli. Victor's daughter Jenny (Rebecca Creskoff) then convinces the other mafia family members appear to help Stephen and Danny at the dinner. They then decide to try and act gay with the help of their Stephen & Danny's friend Richard Grayson (Edward Hibbert, better known for his work on the 1993-2004 TV show "Frasier"). Now, if this plot doesn't seem over the top yet, now let's talk about Jenny's boyfriend Damon Jennings (Brian Lane Green) who unbeknownst to him has two para-military, militia-loving parents, Matt Jennings (Patrick Collins) and Alma Jennings (Tovah Feldshuh), who want nothing more than to find a way to make a huge political statement against the U.S. federal government. As you might guess, the opulent dinner for Stephen's father is where all of these over the top plot elements come together.
"Friends and Family" is an entertaining film, but some parts are a bit slow and keeping track of the complex array of characters can become bothersome. Though Stephen and Danny are supposed to be a loving couple, they are never seen kissing or showing any real physical contact. Clearly, the film's director, Kristen Coury, was more interested in creating an unlikely series of events for a whimsical group of characters to come together. Though there were some funny scenes in the film (such as Stephen and Danny trying to help cook or Richard trying to teach mafia men to act gay), the over-the-top plot tends to overwhelm more than make people laugh. Consequently, I rate "Friends and Family" with 3 out of 5 stars. Other notable characters include Frankie Patrizzi (Lou Carbonneau), Vito Patrizzi (Daniel Mastrogiorgio), Eddie (Richard Petrocelli), Bruno (Meshach Taylor) and Stella Patrizzi (Anna Maria Alberghetti).
2 parts good, 1 part silly equals so so delivery
Friends and Family could have been much better than it was. It SHOULD have been much better than it was. Lead actors Greg Lauren (Ralph Lauren's nephew) and Christopher Gartin are certainly game for the adventure. There are even a couple of really good actors in the mix: Tony Lo Bianco, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Tovuh Feldshuh, and comic actor Meshach Taylor. Unfortunately, director Kristen Coury and screenwriter Joseph Triebwasser are not really up to the task. The movie is somewhat clever, if not a rip off of several other films (the whole thing feels like "The Wedding Banquet" meets "The Godfather" meets "They Went Thata Way and Thata Way").
Stephen and Danny are lovers who are out to everyone, including their parents - however, they are not OUT about their profession - they are lieutenants in the Mob - they kill people for a living. (Hilarious huh?) Stephen's parents (his father is an upper eschelon FBI guy) are dropping in for a visit and expect a big party for his father's sixtieth and since Stephen and Danny are big time caterers (or so they've told his parents) they know it will be great. Add to this that the daughter of Mr. Torcelli (the mob boss) is marrying a non-Italian and the fiance's parents are coming in for the party too (thinking it is for them). Here's the big hilarious catch: unbeknownst to the fiance, his parents are the leaders of an anti government faction and they want to use the party in New York as a spring board for their take over of the U.S.
Wow! Can't believe I got all of that right! Can't believe they put all of that in this movie....
As I said, Lauren and Gartin are up for the challenge. They look good and they are decent actors. Tovuh Feldshuh, who is a fine actress and has been very good in other parts is not only horribly miscast as the "true" leader of the anti government group, but she hams it up waaaaay beyond what the part calls for. Meshach Taylor is an after thought. He is doing some bizarre accent that has no nationality and comes off much more like his character Hollywood in "Mannequin" than anything else. One can only presume that his part is largely on the cutting room floor. Tony Lo Bianco is good as the mob boss, but far too self effacing. The whole thing feels like the only characters fleshed out well are the lead, gay characters. And interestingly, in 2003 when gay is everywhere and man to man kissing and affection can be found on cable and even on public television, these two lovers never so much as buss each other on the cheek.
The whole premise is silly beyond belief - but it is intended to be so. However, the execution of it is never quite as it should be. Instead of feeling like comedy (and I'm sure some slapstick is intended) it just feels like it was done on the cheap and poorly executed. Ms. Coury shoots long shots from too far away and at very unflattering angles. She cannot direct an action sequence either. When the lovers are shown to be fighting an attempted hit on a mob boss...well, let's just say you could drive a Mack truck through the whole process...it's slow and obviously directed and not believable at all.
Basically, there is a lot of stuff going on here that could be really good, but the script isn't tight enough and the direction isn't sharp enough to pull it all off. It would seem that there is enough material here for one and a half movies, but too much for the abilities of the technical staff of this film.
Fun to watch and far better than most offerings from Wolf Video, Family and Friends is worth a look, but it's not going to break my belief that just because a movie is "gay" doesn't make it good.
Despite a slow weird beginning I enjoyed this movie more than words can say. It was funny weird, thought pervoking and it left me feeling really good despite some real life situations that were not always happy. I could identify with the mormon dude since I know well his pain having come from a strict hardcore Bible Thumping BAPTIST family myself. Trust me "Baptist's" are no more accepting or tolerant of gays or gay friendly folk than the religious neanderthals seen in this movie.
Despite the religious homophobic downers this was my kind of movie it had a happy ending I could honestly beleive. This movie left me happy and filled with hope. The unrated version has the steamier sex scene but what you see is pretty tame by todays standards. I would not recommend this... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Steve Sandvoss - Wes Ramsey - Amber Benson - Jacqueline Bisset - Mary Kay Place Director(s): C. Jay Cox DVD Release Date: Released the 07 September 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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Torrid sex and tortured emotions fill the screen in Leaving Metropolis. David (Troy Ruptash), a successful painter, has lost his inspiration. To find stimulation, he gets a job at a small, out-of-the-way diner, run by married couple Violet (Cherilee Taylor) and Matt (Vincent Corazza, Owning Mahoney). When sparks fly with Matt, David gets stimulation and inspiration--but the portraits he paints of Matt may break the couple apart. The machinations of a bitter friend bring the situation to a boil. Though filled with lots and lots of sex (both gay and straight), Leaving Metropolis pays as much attention to the character's minds as to their flesh (well, almost as much--the sex scenes are quite extensive and the bodies are all beautiful). Some of the script's... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Brad Fraser DVD Release Date: Released the 06 April 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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This could possibly be the cheesiest movie I have ever seen (and I have seen a lot of movies!) Do not waste your money on this low-budget, low-acting-ability, low-camera-experience movie. I enjoy a good "gay movie" every now and then and this was not it. Sorry to disappoint! More Info about this DVD Director(s): Michael D. Akers DVD Release Date: Released the 27 January 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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A Love story about "What could have should have might have been" IF ONLY... is the basic premise of The Trip. The Trip follows two gay men through young adulthood into early middle age. One a fully realized gay young man living in truth to himself with honor without shame. This first young man was doing what he could as a gay activist from the 1970's onward to champion causes of gay rights, HIV awareness and diversity. The other gay man was a conflicted deeply closeted homosexual chap from one of those hellish super religious conservative homes where father rules with an iron fist and every aspect of waking life is lived daddy's straight arrow conservative way or no way.
On his own and away from his militaristic thought police father at home the young seemingly... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Miles Swain DVD Release Date: Released the 09 December 2003 Usually ships in 24 hours
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This is another film I purchased without knowing a thing about it, and wound up being quite glad I did. The premise of this film had me on the edge of my seat from the very first gut-wrenching conflict, in a film that was filled to the brim with gut-wrenching conflicts. The acting of both principals in this essentially two-character piece was first rate, and helped to elevate it high above most standard gay-themed fare. But what really made this picture superior to 90% of the gay titles I've purchased in the past year was the confrontation of real issues that gay men should be discussing, but frequently shy away from. Without giving away the plot, let me say that almost every minute of the taught, carefully crafted script is imbued with thoughtful discussion on issues that are all to... More Info about this DVD Director(s): Tony Piccirillo DVD Release Date: Released the 31 August 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
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