Between Love & Goodbye

I saw this movie today, and had to post my own review after reading the "awful" review that had been posted on it. I don't think that review was fair at all - I started wondering while reading it, whether or not I was looking at a review for the same movie I just saw. I couldn't understand why the person who wrote the review found it so bad. Having the movie fresh in memory, and since I watch a lot of gay movies, I wanted to give this movie a more positive review - this one was one of the better gay movies I've seen; it had some originality. In comparison to some of the other (too predictable)gay movies I've seen, it provides some previously unseen conflicts and themes. I also didn't think the dialog was cheesy. It seemed pretty real to me. On occasion, some of the things said are harsher than I've experienced, but that's all. The actors are great, they have charisma, and like I said, I believe the story they are performing. Maybe if they hadn't been good, some of the dialog would be bad, but I didn't at all think that it was as it is. Altogether, I think this movie is alright. And the soundtrack IS great. The lead singer doesn't have the most amazing voice, but it's all really edgy and original. Kind of like the movie. :) In addition, though, I'd like to say that the movie really touched me. That not being in a totally positive way. I might be a little too emotional - I get that a lot - but I do like having a nice feeling in my body after watching a movie. And this movie contains a lot of arguing, a lot of hurtful things are said - and that really got to me. Again - that wouldn't have happened if the dialogs and script were bad, would it. So watch it if you like gay movies :)

I give it 8/10 I wont deny that there are some acting issues in some parts of the film. Despite some acting errors and issues the film and its plot are as one other reviewer stated to summarize are event that can and probably has happened to a few ( you must watch the film to discover for yourself what happened). In short the drama the two main character put themselves through is nothing short of what is consider a destructive relationship, and for some including my self have experience such type of relationship. After all how does one learn through experience, and if you were lucky enough to avoid such destructive events, then here is your chance to experience what one might had experience. a Plus is a non-traditional ending, that moved my heart to great sadness.

First, the good news is that this movie has some interesting concert scenes, the soundtrack is pretty good, and it is quite entertaining. (In the same way a train wreck is entertaining. You want to look away, but you can't.) That said, I saw this at the NY screening on 1/30/09, and it is certainly among the worst ten films I have seen in my life. Probably top five. Perhaps the worst, period.

My main complaint is with the writer (and director) Casper Andreas. His script is absolute garbage. He has enormous potential as a director, but he needs to learn that he shouldn't poison his own movies with his own words.

The dialogue is totally awful - the experience is akin to being force-fed heaping spoonfuls of sugar until your body falls into a coma. The lines is so forced, so overwrought, so charged with false drama, that I didn't believe the story I was being told.

I would be able to forgive Andrea if he had written it in a single, late-night, drug-induced rage the day before shooting.

But no. Speaking at the Q&A following the screening, he mentioned that he had written it around ten years ago.

Ten. Years.

Ten years, and this is the result? I felt embarrassed for Andreas. What a waste of the talent of his cast. What a waste of twelve bucks.

I had just seen another Casper Andreas vehicle last night in NYC called The Big Gay Musical and found it to be a charming film. Then lo and behold I get Between Love and Goodbye in the mail as my Netflix DVD. Not realizing that Casper Andreas too wrote this and directed it. I also remember him as an actor in Slutty Summer. Here are three film entries by the same person and all different. A musical, drama and comedy starring the author himself. Quite a courageous attempt.

Now the acting in this from Simon Miller and Justin Tensen as the two lovers was excellent and natural. They seemed to have a good rapport between them. Whether in the bedroom making love, or striking out at each other, it all seemed very natural. However, you didn't know who to route for when the split comes. Now enter the sibling of one of the boys, a woman, changed from a man, and changed back to a woman and then a man again. You dislike her/him for meddling and causing the entire breakup. Role is played well by Rob Harmon. Jane Elliott as the best lesbian friend turned in a great performance. Believable throughout. And Deirdre Brennan as the Interviewer was wonderful. Cold and indifferent with absolutely no sense of humor. I loved her.

Now I will argue about the end without giving it away. I didn't like the choice of Mr. Andreas. I felt after two hours of the ups and downs in a gay marriage, there could have been hope given, especially with today's day and age and same sex marriage. It could have inspired others to believe it could happen. There can be a happy ending in a gay film. Shame on you Casper.

I decided to write this review because i see allot of negativity on this film here, of which i believe isn't deserved. "Between love & goodbye" is a small and solid film. Sure it isn't perfect, but which movie is? As the title gives away, it's about falling in love and also out of it. It features overly sweet moments between the two boys that seem too much, but if you have been in love yourself, you will recognize these little moments and know them to be true. I've read complaints about the film being too over dramatic and "unreal", which might be the case for some people, but once again, if you have lived through bad breakups as well, you'll know things can go that way and in real life. The acting is not awful. I felt it to be genuine. It's not the greatest you'll ever see but it is not bad. The bitchy sister seems over the top, but i know people who act like that, so i had no trouble accepting that performance at all. They do exist! ha ha. The film features some nice music. Personally i think there's a bit too much of it, but since the lyrics are about the relationship between the boys, it's cool. Overall, a movie worth watching. It kept coming back to me in the days after, which to me is always a good sign. 8/10.