Gypsy 83

Who knew that Sandusky was another Oz? Not since Sherwood Anderson made Winesburg, Ohio THE place to be FROM, has Ohio seemed such an exotic backdrop! Todd Stephens once again shows us that being different in Sandusky may be the crucible out of which our most solid character values are forged. Sara Rue and Kett Turton--with a little help from Karen Black, John Doe, and Anson Scoville ( as the sexiest Amish man since Harrison Ford)--make being different ( Goth, fat, gay, whatever)seem like redemption.

A little road picture becomes, with good writing, direction, and superb performances, a modern-day Canterbury Tales, where the "Night of a 1000 Stevies" is as important a destination as St Thomas Becket's grave.

The journey is itself the important part of the story, and each character that Gypsy ( Rue) and Clive (Turton) meet helps to change them as they, in turn, alter the lives of those they meet.

Do not expect true love and happy endings because like all journeys of self discovery, nothing is perfect and believing, opposite from the adage, is finally seeing.

Rent this DVD; see this movie. Todd Stephens gets better and better. EDGE OF SEVENTEEN was far from being just another teen movie, just another GAY teen movie; so GYPSY 83, too, is far from being another coming of age film. I think it says that we are all essential: frat boys, rednecks, broken-down karaoke singers, Stevie Nicks impersonators, fat girls, hunky Amish farmers, Mary Kay sales queens, and Foto Hut booth girls.

Sandusky, Ohio IS Oz. Todd Stephens knows it.

Oh, and don't miss Karen Black's incredible sultry jazz singing. Why the hell isn't she on Broadway?

I had been wanting to see this movie since I first heard it was being made. Being a huge Stevie Nicks fan, I figured there'd be something in this movie for me. I even remember when they were inviting extras to come to New York City to be in the club for filming (of course I couldn't go at the time). At any rate, this DVD is actually pretty good. I wasn't really sure how I'd like it. It does kinda remind me of my younger days of trying to find some kind of acceptance in a world full of morons. I'm from the West Virginia/Ohio area, so I could relate to the idiots that were in this movie who were so clueless that you just wanna smack the hell out of them. I was bummed that they couldn't get the rights to use Stevie's music for this movie...I think that would have made a slight difference. But with or without her music, I thought the movie was really good. I wasn't so crazy about Karen Black's character, but that's just my opinion. I think the two main characters tho, Gypsy and Clive, gave a really good performance in this. Good acting.

What an excellent surprise GYPSY 83 has been, especially because the first ten minutes did not begin promisingly. This is a road movie that traces the emotional growth of two unlikely best friends: A brazen and outspoken girl in her early 20's who calls herself "Gypsy 83" and her just-about-to come-out-of-the-closet male best friend named Clive, as they travel from Sandusky, Ohio to New York City to attend the NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STEVIES competition---a showcase dedicated to obsessed fans of musical superstar Stevie Nicks. Both are into the "goth" scene, and Gypsy has dreams of becoming a famous singer. The first thirty minutes of the film are deceptively low-key, and then, just as you're ready to predict the rest of the plot, Karen Black arrives as a washed-up Karaoke lounge lizard, and---WHAM!---we're off in a different direction. By the time that Gypsy and Clive pick-up an Amish hitchhiker in Pennsylvania, who's running away from home, and who may or may not be gay, you know you're in a for quite a treat. And when Gypsy and Clive finally do arrive in NYC, the last 40 minutes or so of the film are so relevatory, so heart-warming, and so well-acted... be prepared to marvel (perhaps cry) at it's finale. GYPSY 83 is a film for goth audiences, for male and female audiences of all ages, for gay and straight audiences, and for anyone who's ever been a fan of 70's music.

I have been looking forward to seeing this film for some time. I had read an interview with the director and couldn't help but be drawn to it. Before I begin, let me make the following statements:

1. I grew up in a small town in Indiana. 2. I have always enjoyed the music and culture of goth, but have never been a "part of the lifestyle" the way in which either Clive nor the mean NY goths were portrayed. I never immersed myself in it, never really wanted to. 3. I live in a major city now, one with an established goth underworld, one that I do take part in, from time to time. I still enjoy it to this day, though I am a bit long in the tooth for vinyl and leather.

Having made those disclaimers, I encourage anyone who takes a look at this in a video store but isn't sure that it is good, to pick it up, take it home, and get an excellent look at what it means to be young and outcast in a community that just doesn't understand you, nor cares to try. This film is a very strong and unforgiving look at the lives of two very realistic characters and their attempts to find somewhere they can be happy.

It is wonderfully acted by Sara Rue (whom I never saw as a dramatic actress or solid romantic lead until this film) with strong performances from John Doe and Kett Turton. Doe is an underrated actor and is perfectly used in this film. Turton's performance is either intentionally brilliant, or unconsciously precise. Clive IS acting when in his gear, an Turton brings forth an awkwardness in those scenes. When Clive's guard is down (the bathroom scene, and in the deleted scene "the accident") Turton is more comfortable in the role. I haven't seen the majority of his body of work, I will make a concerted effort now to do so.

There is a lot of commenting on Sara's appearance in this film. I must admit that I found her stunningly beautiful in this movie. I have always found her to be attractive and perhaps one reason is that she doesn't look like every other actress. But in this film it has more to do with Gypsy's attitude and style. I sincerely hope that we see Sara cast more as a main character and not just as a supporting role. She has the talent and skill to carry off most any role, and it is past time that members of the entertainment industry recognize that a woman with more than the optimum weight can still be quite appealing to the eye.

I don't know if the director, Mr Stepens, intends to continue making films, but I do hope he continues. I would like to see what other work might come from what I see to be a promising director. Likewise the other writer credited Mr Kaltenecker. This film works because of all the pieces, and writers never get the credit they deserve. Please bring us more, gentlemen. I will be looking for it, at least.

This type of film needs as much support as possible. It is not going to change the way LA or New York do business, but whoever said those are the only places for movies to come from.

I really enjoyed this movie. The two main characters had incredible chemistry and I especially loved the story itself. The acting is in top form, all the actors did a wonderful job bringing a realness to their character.

I feel Stevie's management made a big mistake by not allowing ANY of her songs in the film. It would've added a little bit more to this otherwise perfect tale.

I bought the DVD yesterday and watched the extra features, I especially loved the "Battle of the Stevies" (although, there is no audio), it brought back memories when I went to "The Night of 1000 Stevies" several years ago. 10/10