Regarding Billy

Not really sure how much more needs to be said here. Since there are only a grand total of three characters in this entire film, it's pretty much a given the two love interests (who are 30 years older than the roles they are playing) will eventually hook up...you just have to wait through monologue after monologue and pointless build-up. Imagine two very boring friends come over to visit in your living room and spend 90 minutes talking about a game of checkers they played 30 years ago. That pretty much sums this up.

I applaud Jeff London for trying to make a film about gay men who are actually human beings with feelings above the waist. The premise of this small-town story is quite good. People's lives are affected by economics, death, family needs and so on. The characters are real people with real, if not mundane, lives. I also make allowances for a low budget, which seems evident. However, the budget does not totally absolve bad dialogue, worse pacing, horrible music, bad lighting, poor set design, uninspired cinematography, poor casting and high-school-quality acting. It seemed to me that the story challenged the cast and crew beyond their capabilities. Having said all that, this film may some day be shown to church youth groups after bean suppers on Saturday nights in Wyoming. While they may scream at the kissing they will not be tempted into evil by the sexuality, which is entirely lacking.

I'm a bit confounded as to why this movie has such high ratings on Netflix. Yes, it is intelligently acted by an attractive and watchable cast, but that's where my recommendation ends. The script is a slobbering sentimental mess from the first five minutes till the very end. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind seeing grown men cry - but this is ridiculous! This film is like a 'very special episode' of a gay "Party of Five" (or is that an oxymoron?). Unrequited love, mentally retardation, dead parents, war injuries, blindness - no tear is left un-shed. In the end, the characters come off as a bit naive, despite the fine performances. The plot lines are under-developed with details omitted if they didn't contribute to the bawling. There's a chaste kiss or two but little display of affection between the two characters. After all that time pining for one another, you'd think they'd do more than hold hands (they don't). This film is like a homo Hallmark Card, all sentiment, no substance.

I can't stop barfing long enough to type! This story is another example of the exploitation of gay men to get a film made. It isn't a gay story. Gay themed is trendy way to get $$$$$. Substitute either character for a woman and you have funding rejected by any thinking producer. I did wonder if this was some attempted sequel to Ole Yella - without the dog. OR was the initial script called Retarding Billy and the bad acting missed the humour - leading to Regarding Billy. *ponder* All the expositional lines certainly implied retardation. *ponder* That could have been quite entertaining! But - if this is a coming out movie - could you please go back in?

Nothing is perfect (except maybe Jason Van Eman) so I can't rate 10 stars. A very sweet film. Warm, touching, real. There was a little awkwardness here and there, some of the scenes went a little too long with no real reason...there was maybe too much emotion at times, but all in all, a good little movie to watch with your special someone, gay or straight.

One of the better gay oriented indie films that I've seen. And no swearing, drug use, alcoholism or sex. A rare thing in almost any movie these days, but very rare for a movie with a gay male couple as the lead characters. For a change, two gay men are portrayed without the "always having sex" angle. Seems that Hollywood has to propagate that stereotype; if there's gay, there's immediately clothes coming off and gratuitous sex going on. Not here.

Thanks Jeff London, for showing a couple of gay men as just that. Men. Leading everyday lives with everyday worries and trials. Everyday happiness and love. Many could learn a lot by watching this movie. Give it a shot. It's a very short film and leaves you wanting more, but just suffice it to say, I ended it with all three of them living happily ever after.

*another gay feelgood movie with similar undertones as Regarding Billy, but with a little sex thrown in: "Get Your Stuff" Give it a look too.