Gayby

I feel a certain obligation to check out gay cinema from time to time. Both for my own pop culture knowledge, and just because I like to see if things have improved any since my last visit. Most independently produced gay-themed movies are amateurish and cheap looking. Sometimes that kinda works, and the material rises above its humble origins. Most of the time, the films are a struggle to get through.

I wanted to see this one mostly because Matthew Wilkas, the male lead, is very cute, and the girl looked atypically ordinary (in a good way). This was a case of being sold by the poster, and for a change, it was truth in advertising. I did note that the director/writer couldn't resist casting himself in a supporting role--something common to low budget film, gay or not--but it works pretty well. I recognized the kid from Chicago Fire in there (and he kisses a guy!), as well as Charlie from The West Wing (who doesn't).

This isn't a perfect film, but the quality of it is SO far above most similar fare. The acting is much better, the sound, photography and editing is too. If this helps, it looks nothing like an early John Waters film, if that makes sense. Also, though the setup of the film may be cliché, the way it's handled is novel. There's none of that "is he or isn't he" about the lead's sexuality. I also thought the chemistry between the actors was believable, another thing that often isn't there in gay cinema.

Anyway, I rated this one an 8. I realize that sounds high, but I'm considering it a "within the genre" grade, and in that case it might even be worth a 9. Real-world grade is probably just above a 5, but think about other films in this genre, which often hover between a 0 and a 3, and I think this film deserves a high grade. Plus, I want to help its average. There are some ridiculously low grades for this one.

In the clichéd world of comedies nothing seems unconventional these days. That the audiences can't compliant about the number of rom-coms coming out on the big screen is a fact. Still, it's excruciating to observe how most of them cut corners and follow a well known, often indescribably boring and tiring, path. Fortunately, for the sake of the genre, once in a while there is a comedy that really aspires to contradict trends. And Gayby is one of those films. It is as vivacious as it is entertaining. The film shows a strictly unromantic yet undeniably laughable story about two best friends – a gay guy named Matt and a straight woman named Jenn – planning on having a 'gayby' together (although, as Matt clearly explains, this is a proper word only when two gay people two strictly gay people want to be parents). Without any second thoughts they decide that the best, the most adequate way to get Jenn pregnant is through the traditional act of sex. Their daily routine consists of working – Matt sells comic books at a nearby store and Jenn teaches hot yoga – going on dates in the evenings, and making love (in this situation it sound kind of weird) during the nights. Unfortunately, after a couple of trials they realize that trying to conceive is harder than one might think. In the meantime, their sex- lives start to flourish, causing problems both for the couple's casual relationship and for their baby-making ordeal.

Gayby shows that low-budget, amateurish indie comedies can be really amusing sometimes. The dialogues are witty, kinky and perfectly humorous. While the story isn't really that innovative and rather predictable, the atmosphere is sentimental and heartfelt, just as the characters are genuinely likable. What's more, Gayby depicts – in an utterly exaggerated yet comical manner – a world, where gay guys swarm the streets and it's actually them who convince us of their enormous desire to raise those not-so-typical families.

Far from the usual cliche, cleaned-up straight versions of single women getting pregnant by accident or design, "Gayby" is a full-on gay tour de force of sometimes farcical, many times profound and always real human interaction. Writer and director Lewiski, ironically, casts himself in the most superficial role as "Nellie" a newly-made gay "Bear" whose effeminate demeanor and catty wisdom serve as both comic relief and moral anchor for the rest of the outstanding cast, which includes, surprisingly, now distinguished actor Adam Driver in an early, minor role. Throughout , this tale of two best friends--one gay, one straight--who decide in their 30s to procreate "the old-fashioned way," has a unique and sweetly real quality that deals with the actual logistics of gay/straight copulation in ways both touching (pun intended), and absurd. The emotions, insecurities, friendships and even the average, non-movie-star appearance of the central characters, as well as their natural, seemingly improvised dialogue and performances, overall, are refreshing. Although one very predictable plot twist to provide some conflict for the characters comes up, its equally predictable resolution is still very satisfying and the tying up of loose ends for all the characters leaves the viewer with a smile on their face and a new appreciation for all the friends we consider family, and family who become friends. Don't miss this hidden gem on Hulu!!

I've gotten so used to terrible gay movies (especially American gay movies made in the last 15 years or so) that it's almost shocking when a good one comes along. Gayby is a good one.

It's about lifelong best friends Matt (gay) and Jenn (straight), who had said in college that they'd have a baby together some day. Years later the day comes, and they get to work. Meanwhile, each of them has an active work and social life, a miserable love life, and an entertaining and diverse set of friends of various types and stereotypes.

Unlike some in the gay audience, I don't hate stereotypes, because there are some wonderful people who fit most of the stereotypes... except one - the hairless gym boy with blinding white teeth and a perfect tan on every square inch of his totally shaved body. There are NO wonderful people who fit that stereotype, which is one reason American gay movies in general have become so stupid that 99% of them are unwatchable. The only gym bodies in this movie have hair all over them, teeth the color of teeth instead of chalk, and tans (if they have tans at all) only where people naturally get tanned from being out in the sun - all of which is delightful.

This movie has a likable and able cast, a very smart and entertaining screenplay, one of the sexiest men on earth in a tiny role (Tommy Heleringer, who plays Adrian, one of Matt's abortive dates; he also plays Scruffy in a web series called The Outs, and he's so delicious I'd eat him up if he ever came to my door) and (thank God!) New York City. The worst movie ever made in New York is better than the best from LA, and Gayby is far from the worst. It may be the best; it's certainly one of the best. Very much worth seeing.

Gayby (2012) was written and directed by Jonathan Lisecki. The movie stars Jenn Harris as Jenn, a thirties-something straight woman, and Matthew Wilkas as Matt, a gay man who has been Jenn's best friend since college.

Jenn has been hoping to meet the right man, get married, and conceive a child. Unfortunately, the plan isn't working. Matt has broken up with his long-time partner, and isn't over the pain yet.

Jenn suggests a biologically and psychologically reasonable plan. Rather than waiting for Mr. Right, she'll conceive a child with Matt as the father. However, Jenn is into natural healing and natural methods, so she tells Matt she wants to conceive the child the "old-fashioned" way. Not an appealing option for Matt--he's definitely gay, not bisexual. Still, he agrees to the plan.

The plot of the movie is developed from this premise. The ensuing complications are very funny, sometimes in a bittersweet way. While Jenn and Matt are working on the conception plan, new lovers come and go, friendships are formed and broken, promises are made and kept or not kept.

Director Lisecki has taken the bold step of using an actor--Jenn Harris--who isn't an incredibly gorgeous woman. (Jennifer Aniston could play the role perfectly, but then the movie wouldn't work.) Jenn Harris looks like a person who could be your friend, or, for that matter, your yoga instructor. (She may teach yoga in real life, but, even if she doesn't she's obviously had experience with it.) Harris is an excellent actor, and so is Matthew Wilkas. The supporting cast--including Lisecki himself-- is highly competent. The dialog is witty, the characters are endearing, and the movie is very enjoyable.

This is a film worth seeking out and seeing. We saw it at the Dryden Theatre as part of the extraordinary ImageOut--the Rochester LGBT Film & Video Festival.