Were the World Mine

Usually I resent anything that stereotypes homosexuals. I resent it even more when gays stereotype gays. As gay as this movie definitely is (fairies... guys wearing wings... rugby players doing pirouettes), I am -surprisingly enough- completely enamored with it. I am glad that I watched it, then watched it again, and... watched it again.

There is something about this movie that moves past being just a story about fairies - literal and otherwise. Cohen has a strong and beautiful voice. Both he and Becker play their characters way beyond stereotypes. It didn't hurt to have them both be such total hot-ties, either.

It's really too bad that so many people will be put-off by anything to do with same sex relationships. (BTW: this movie is about more than just that.) They are missing a film that inspires the audience to have the courage to be oneself and the courage to let go of what you love, because of that love, at the risk of losing it. -- 12/08/09 Before Puck (Cohen) sings "Sleep Sound" there is a brief moment when the viewer sees Cole's mother obviously disgruntled by her son's apparent homosexuality. She breaks into a gargantuan smile when Cole return to his heterosexual self. Many gays and lesbians live their entire life knowing that, when all is said and done, our parent's continue to feel that we have failed them by not (at least) pretending to be heterosexuals. When it comes to sexuality, it is not uncommon to find our parent's and our friends' love to be very conditional.

Were the World Mine may not be perfect, but it is inspiring, with a brilliant and durable concept (a queer interpretation and extension of A Midsummer Night's Dream). Like a previous reviewer, I just saw this at the San Francisco Int'l LGBT Film Festival, where it was indeed a solid crowd pleaser and one of my three favorite features in the festival. The film grew from the director's short film "Fairies" (which was also memorable) and I dare say that the music and lyrics, and certainly the lead performers, deserve to have him tighten it up a bit, somehow get lots more money, and carry this forward to a remake a la Baz Luhrmann ("Moulin Rouge") or Julie Taymor ("Across the Universe"). In a way, the material is both weighty and fanciful enough to really need that level of realization to be properly appreciated. As is, though, "Were the World Mine" moved me to tears, made me laugh many times, and made me want to listen to its few songs again, more closely!

Though it may be labeled as a gay/lesbian film, this is a witty and lovely takeoff on "A Midsummer's Night Dream." The acting by all the principals, particularly by appealing lead Tanner Cohen, Judy McKane as his mother, and Wendy Robie as the school drama teacher, is first-rate. The art direction, music and especially the cinematography help create a magical quality as the story enters the realm of Midsummer fantasy. Director Thomas Gustafson skilfully develops believable characters, manages complicated plot twists, and never loses the thread of "what if" that is essential to a retelling of Shakespeare's timeless story. Like the characters, you'll be enchanted by this small-budget but high-quality film.

I was lucky enough to see this film at the official youth screening at the Vancouver Queer Film Fest. Liked it so much I walked in and stood for the second, sold out, screening that followed. Beautiful scenes, good acting, great concept / plot, absolutely rapturous music... this movie made my heart melt, made me fall in love with the two main characters. This is what movies are supposed to do, and Were the World Mine did this beautifully.

This film realizes many a gay boy's high school fantasy, and does it with style and grace. It's poignant, moving. The actors who play Timothy's two best friends nail it. The drama teacher is a woman to be reckoned with. And the two male leads are both gay in real life. I will be buying this one as soon as it comes out. In the meantime I will be listening to music from the film on their MySpace page.

It's so hard to find a gay film that is entertaining, cute, and romantic. This one has a Musically talented cast that is also a pleasure to look at. Put it on my list of nice gay movies