Angora Ranch

Okay, admittedly the acting, pace and dialog are not up to par with some high budget movie. That's part of the charm of "indie" films, isn't it?

Putting aside the merits of the the physical attractiveness of some of the actors, the story is good on. Not only is this positive about overcoming fears/anxieties/hangups about age differences; it emphasizes the good and bad aspects of the family responsibilities and relationships and tensions between parents and children. These are realities, just as the awkwardness of some dialog and acting reflect what actually happens between and among people, whatever their sexual identity.

ANGORA RANCH is not a great film but it's at least a passably good one and worth watching. I felt better after seeing it than when I watched EATING OUT.

I wanted to like this but it was simply NOT worth the watching time. I've seen thousands of gay movies over the years and while this one is far from the worst. I generally rate all the films I see on IMDb and I checked. This one did make the bottom 50. It's really too bad because there are the elements of a good story here, and that's part of the reason that this one's so bad. It keeps you hanging on (like Charlie Brown hoping that maybe next time Lucy's not gonna move the ball) the dialogue is often cringe-worthy and you actually would feel bad for the actors but its pretty clear that their abilities are part of the problems as well.

One thing that should have clued me in earlier... the director is also the writer and is also the main character. All of those jobs require skill and many truly skillful individuals can handle one or two of those roles but it's the rarest of things to find a film where all three roles are handle by the same person and handled well.

I would really love to believe that in the hundreds of little redneck hamlets in the State of Texas I'd dearly love for one like where Paul Bright and Tim Jones live and where Bright can fall in love with young Thomas Romano and have no fear of reprisal. It's what makes this Texas based gay film a true fantasy. But having said that it is a nice fantasy.

Young Romano works for his father in the advertising business based in Austin and Kyle Evans the father is forever on his case. He can't seem to do anything right. Evans is also in an incredible state of denial as far as his son's sexual orientation is.

On assignment from his father to meet with a client Romano's car breaks down avoiding hitting a white rabbit nowhere near the size of Harvey. It is the special pet of Paul Bright who lives with his father Tim Jones and is still mourning the loss of a life partner. He's got some additional responsibilities taking care of Jones who is in first stage of Alzheimer's Disease.

Romano and Bright are soon in love and in the sack, but both have some severe father issues to deal with.

Angora Ranch is a pleasant enough film. I liked all the players especially young Mr. Romano on many levels. I hope that Angora Ranch does not remain his sole film credit.

Though I want so much to believe there is a tolerant and accepting town like this somewhere in the state that elects Rick Perry and Ted Cruz.

No, this is not another version on the Brokeback Mountain theme though the title might give that impression. This little Indie film made on a shoestring budget is more like an updated Farmer's Daughter story and as such it has some charm.

Justin (the very hunky Thomas Romano) is an ad executive whose father sends him on his first solo run to a place in Texas. While driving to his appointment Justin swerves to avoid a rabbit in the road and his car gets stuck in a ditch that just happens to be in front of the home of Jack (Paul Bright, who also wrote and directed the film) and his loony senile father. Jack's life partner died a few years back and he is determined his plight in life is to live in solitude as caretaker for his father. Justin is invited to spend the night while his car is fixed by the local tow truck/mechanic. And the story unfolds from there into a May December romance that while it may not be acted very well at all, has its moments of warmth. The plot has enough twists to keep the attention span enduring the amateur acting status (both fathers figure significantly in surprising ways) and the cast of animals and eccentricities maintain attention. But the eye candy provided by Thomas Romano is the strong point - if only he could act.... Grady Harp

Watch it only if awful gay movies make you giggle. In an awful way, that is. Not in any cultish or artsy sense of the terms "awful gay movies" and "giggle". Just good old fashioned All American (gay) awful. Did i say it's awful? It's awful. Someone should create a special prize for the best turn-off gay movie and not only give it to this one, but name it after it too. Invite your old, lonely, bad looking uncle for a cup of tea and a game of chess instead. Trust me. He won't like it either. And the young actor in the movie don't seem to like it much himself. He's doing his best to pretend that love is what he feels, but then you should see the man he falls in love with to better understand what a poor, poor casting can do to a cinematic love story.