Shake It All About

I can't believe I live on the same planet with people so stupid and so stunted emotionally that they can like or even tolerate this movie - but the evidence is right here, all around me on this page. It's mind-boggling.

I've seen thousands of movies, and I've seen hundreds of gay movies, and this is BY FAR the most offensive and infuriating movie I have ever seen anywhere. The only way I can explain it is that the people who like this despicable movie MUST be straight, and therefore unable to help being morons.

Any gay man or lesbian, or any transsexual or otherwise non-straight human being who likes this garbage must despise themselves. There IS no other possible explanation.

This is one of those slick commercial movies - like Brokeback Mountain - made about gay people but made BY straight people and FOR straight people so that they can feel good about how liberal and open-minded they are, while producing such a warped and depraved image of what non-straight people are really like that they are only deepening and reinforcing their already deplorable ignorance of what it means to be different.

I cannot tell you how much I hate this movie, but I hope I've managed to give you at least a vague notion of how I feel about it.

This is a true feelgood movie, trying to be a more liberal but succeeding with the base genre without more ado. It is a warm, pleasing experience, best suited for anxiety-filled hung-over Sundays.

Although classical stereotypes shine through, the film makes an honest attempt to broaden the rom-com genre by being more liberal-minded and equal in attitude.

What gives the film an edge are the side characters - as previously pointed out, fronted by the brilliant doctor in the hospital scene. Joof's sense of detail (in this way most close to classic Disneys) does not save the movie however, and it ends a pleasant but short memory.

Spoiled want-it-all Jacob wants to marry his male partner Jørgen, but happens to fall for Jørgen´s brother´s wife, leading to many hilarious situations and poignant moments. Actress Hella Joof´s directing debut has laugh-out-loud comedy and sensitive drama in equal measures, with excellent performances by the three leads, Mads Mikkelsen as Jacob, Troels Lyby as his long-suffering partner, and Charlotte Munck as the girl who gets between them. Gay stereotypes abound, but performed by a talented cast, with Peter Frödin and Nikolaj Steen as standouts. Film has its share of flaws and doesn´t quite steer clear of romantic movie clichés, that airport-set denouement just doesn´t ring true, but the film is so appealing that you probably won´t mind. Written by the director and actor Klaus Bondam (who appears as a priest with a red-dyed porcupine haircut) For Danish viewers: Look for an unrecognizable Lars Hjortshøj as an alcoholic and Zlatko Buric as a cab-driver. Be sure to stick around for the end credits and check out the Polaroid snapshots for one final hilarious punchline involving the identity of "Sørmand"! ***

I loved this film. Although this film tackles serious issues such as coping with homosexuality, the break up of relationships, and family disputes - it is light hearted humorous, and fun. It will have you laughing one minute, and crying the next. Mads Mikkelsen plays his role fantastically. You can't help but fall in love with him, despite the fact that he is the one causing all the heartache. Troels Lyby's character tugs at your heart strings, as the 'dumped boyfriend', and you can't help but emphasise with Charlotte Munck's character. I won't give anything away in case you've not already seen the film, but these 3 play the title roles splendidly. The film is set in and around the beautiful scenery of Copenhagen. It is a brilliant film for people who are not already familiar with Copenhagen, and Copenhagen/Danish culture, to get a feel from. The soundtrack is another good reason to watch, containing some wonderful tracks from contemporary Scandinavian artists, and complementing the film wonderfully. My recommendation? Watch it.

To quote the Bard, "Something is rotten in the state of Denmark." It is inconceivable that a movie like "Shake It All About" could be filmed, let alone marketed, in the 21st century. The movie's only nod to the current status of gay rights in Europe and North America is that its heroes plan to get married. But no mention is ever made of AIDS or condom usage. The secondary gay characters are a kaleidoscope of stereotypes that might have been acceptable 20 years ago in "La Cage aux Folles", or 30 years ago in "The Boys in the Band" -- but not today, in the 21st century. For pity's sake, the film even fades to lavender between scenes!

My friends and I hooted and hollered our way through the screening, shouting out catty remarks, which the picture rightly and amply deserved. A jilted bride walking down the street in her wedding gown drew a reference to Rhoda Morgenstern's wedding (remember that?). And the sight of two gay men riding horseback together reminded us of the "Welcome to Condom Country" ad campaign of the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Canada. I couldn't help adding, "That's the only stallion that was ridden in the film!"

I think "Shake It All About" deserves the title of Best Film ... of 1973. I left the film, somewhat shaken that such claptrap can still be served up in the name of gay comedy -- but not at all stirred.