Role/Play

I in joyed the movie, wish it was on DVD or Blue ray, I would love to add it to my video library it was that good.

This is a very disappointing film but it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why. I viewed this film in 2015 in the UK where we have enjoyed Civil Partnerships for 10 years and equal marriage has just recently been made law so I am willing to concede that my perspective might be a bit skewed. However, for me, the issues raised in Role/Play suddenly seemed very out of touch. I am not even sure if an actor's sex tape would make the news nowadays. That said, I know aspects of American life can be conservative in their outlook so perhaps the themes here still have some relevance.

I think the film tries to say too much in one forum. There are simply too may themes jostling for dominance set alongside the notion of true love always wins through. It is very predictable and there is no depth to any of the ideas presented. For me, the acting was generally poor – more akin to that in a gay porn movie – but equally the script did not give the actors the opportunity to really develop their characters.

Overall, for me, this was a very lightweight film that was out of touch of what it means to be gay in the 21st Century.

As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of gay-themed films, I have to express my disappointment in this movie. First, the positive... the acting was actually pretty good. Steve Callahan and Matthew Montgomery did a good job. Their skills are 50% of the reason why this review got 4 stars instead of 2. The other 50% (and let's be honest here) is the fact that both actors are VERY easy on the eyes - both their face shots and their derrières...which we see quit of bit of. Am I saying a full frontal of either of them would have been nice too? Well, it wouldn't have hurt, and maybe got the film one more star.

And now for the negative: this film was incredibly boring. The writing was terrible (sorry Mr. Williams). I can't tell you how many times I caught myself drifting off, staring out the window, looking at the clock, mentally doing a grocery list, etc.. Finally, about three quarters of the way through, I just couldn't take it anymore and started skipping ahead to the end. I was bummed, because I was really rooting for the film to be better. There are so few gay/romantic/dramas that are, for the most part positive (and don't end in death, heartbreak or tragedy), that I really wanted this film to succeed. Instead, it was predictable, flat, and boring. Unfortunately, my recommendation on this one would be don't waste your time or money.

I had the opportunity to see this film on the last night of a Gay Film Festival, and I am sure that having seen 10+ films before this one has influenced some of my opinions of what audiences can expect in a 'good gay film' these days.

Positive things about the film: The film's storyline is rather predictable, and it doesn't try to drop any plot bombshells, (this is NOT The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!) allowing the viewer to focus on the characters and the dialog instead of plot points. Think of My Dinner with Andre around a pool with and without speedos. The Director was obviously comfortable in this genre, along with the actors.

On the Less Positive side: this comfort seemed to mean that neither the director or the actors felt the need to push for strong performances. With the exception of the David Pevsner as Alex the Innkeeper, the performances seemed phoned in, and as predictable as the plot. In several scenes, I thought they were doing a sendup of a soap opera scene as an inside joke for the lead character, an ex-soap star, because of the staid dialog, blocking and camera shots.

Areas for improvement: Following up on my previous comment --- Move the darned camera! For 20 years Law & Order found a way to float the camera and bring some visual energy to a dialog-heavy scene, and audiences have come to like/want that. I can only remember 10 shots in this film that had any significant movement in them. The rest were all locked off shots. There are options between locked-off sticks shots and swish pans.

The score was well done, and not overpowering overall, except in areas where it was too loud for the dialog. Some test screenings should even out these areas. Additional screenings will also help the editor learn where he needs to allow for laugh time, so dialog isn't missed by the audience, and where to tighten up the dialog when the laughs don't come.

There were no technical notes given, but assuming it was shot with a Red, the DP did a credible job, especially given that he had 8 days to shoot everything. I wish he had taken more time to establish mood rather than just softly lighting the scenes. There was very little texture in the lighting. And I really wish he had taken time to collaborate with the MakeUp artist and the color correction guys in post - because the actors ALL looked like cadavers! Too much pale makeup, not enough color, not enough filtering! Both leads (and Mr Pevsner) had nice bodies and nice butts. A few tan lines would have lent some warmth and personality to them. Likewise, facial wrinkles can create character, but I shouldn't be able to count them to get through a boring scene. Hi-def quality in the wrong hands can be a dangerous weapon.

My bottom line is that this was a good effort film, with some very funny lines stuck in among some really tedious dialog. It could have been 15 minutes shorter, and have moved faster throughout. I wanted to see (or at least hear) Jim J Bullock one more time at the end to signal a return to 'the real world'. It's sad to start a subplot like JJB and then not pay it off. (Was it intentional to have him look like he was wearing all the makeup Tami Faye left him?)

Finally, I hope that if there is a part 2 in the wings, they find a way to have 12 shoot days instead of 8. Let the DP make it NOT look like a documentary, and let the actor become more natural with the characters and less directed.

If you enjoy your eye candy and like watched suggestive bedroom scenes then this is probably the film for you.

For everyone else, it's got everything a third rate film should have * Wooden acting - I know we all enjoy a bit of wood but pinocchio could have done better at acting * Boring cinematography - Silent black and white movies had more style * Clichéd pedestrian script - a kindergarten kid could have come up with something more compelling * Preachy - That kind of stuff belongs in the churches that condemn us

I'm giving it three stars. Just occasionally the acting rallies and there seems to be a bit of a spark between the main characters but then it flame is quickly extinguished.

Rob Williams! My namesake! Too often your films are a waste of your money and our time. You could do soooooo much better. You have all the ingredients - beautiful men - a fantastic state to film them in and yet ...