MovieChat Forums > Make the Yuletide Gay (2009) Discussion > Is it just me?

Is it just me?

posted 15 years ago by steph92
15 replies | jump to latest

Or does the storyline sound familiar?

Familiar? It's only the plot of about 95 percent of the gay films released.

Yes, one would think so upon entering this movie. However, I just got back from seeing it today at the lgbt film festival in Toronto (where it premiered) and I was pleasantly surprised with what I saw.

It was a very light hearted/feel good film, and although there were a couple of scene transitions that seeme slightly ackward, the whole movie was overall hilarious with some good quality humour. Unlike the 'another gay movie' series (no offence intended, though the first one was okay), this movie did a good job of putting in gay humour without impromptu orgies breaking out randomly and focusing on dumb sex scene college humour. The room was filled mostly with older gay men in their late 30's to 60's and everyone seemed to really enjoy it (a few leaving with tears of joy in their eyes)!

Well, I guess go see it for yourself once it comes out and make up your mind. I personally really liked it!!

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

Thank you for your review. I am willing to give this a chance. I always support indie films, but many of the gay-themed titles tends to feel rather homogenous (so to speak). Even though the plot of this sounds familiar, the execution could redeem that. For all the work that goes into making a movie, they deserve more than just a blanket dismissal based on a plot synopsis.

Did it feel strange seeing a Christmas film in May? I assume this will be available on DVD by the holidays in seven months.

[–] ckouri25 15 years ago

Thanks for the reply actually :)

I definitly agree with you on the single-track line that many gay-themed indie movies are quite similar (at least in the few that I've seen).

Now on a bit of a tangeant (criticism-related) note, I think it is important to state that this movie is definitly not perfect. Like I've said, some transitions between a few scenes were a bit rough, and I feel that a couple of scenes should have been re-shot (mostly at the very beginning), and some of the humour was beginning to get a tad old towards the end (according to my friends at least).
Still, on the whole, I think this movie is definitly worth watching! For me, I could really relate to the two main characters (being in college and such).

It actually wasn't so strange. I remember the director made a comment about the fact that we weren't exactly anytime close to Christmas, right before the showing.

IF you get to see it, I hope you enjoy it! If not, then, well, I hope I didn't mislead you, lol~

[–] WarpedRecord 15 years ago

I just watched the trailer of the film, and it looks kind of patchy, but I'll still give it a chance once it's on DVD. It's always good to see Derek Long, and the movie looks like a pleasant enough diversion. Thanks again for the recommendation, and don't worry about misleading me – even a disappointing film isn't a waste of time in my book.

[–] mobrecht 15 years ago

It sounds fun, and any film with Gates McFadden is one I'll own on dvd. Can't wait to see it!

[–] tkrolak 15 years ago

Coming out is a common theme in gay films. Yes, the ending to this one is predictable. It's the rocky road to romance, the gay male college student version. There is also the young woman who is the neighbor and former girlfriend who is the faghag with the built in gaydar.

But the story is comically told, for the most part. You feel for the two young men. Gun makes a wise observation about some liberals rejecting their children for being gay while red-necked conservatives accept their gay offspring.

The only part I found improbable was the character of Sven, Gun's father. His brain is so ruined from the drug use of his college days that in one scene he can't remember where he parked his car. But he's a professor.

[–] roydmck 14 years ago

I think he is playing the cliched absent-minded professor but to the extreme- cute movie.

[–] qouth_the_raven 14 years ago

"Coming out is a common theme in gay films."

I'd say more common in US movies which seem to need to preach to the choir. Other countries seem to work with the idea: I'm gay now lets get on with the stuff that happens to all of us in life.

[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 13 years ago

The only part I found improbable was the character of Sven, Gun's father. His brain is so ruined from the drug use of his college days that in one scene he can't remember where he parked his car. But he's a professor.

I wondered about that, too. Dad Gunnunderson was always so stoned that he couldn't tell cheese from Wednesday. How'd he keep his job? What was he supposed to be teaching?

(BTW: I got the distinct impression that the drug use was continuing.)

---
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things,"
Of atoms, stars and nebulæ, of entropy and genes.
---

[–] Clothes-Off 13 years ago

I'd think it was odd too, if I didn't actually know a borderline crazy person (pushing 70) who constantly repeats himself, cannot carry a normal conversation to save his life, and someone works as a community college English instructor. He used to teach at DeVry. The thought scares me, but he's out there.

[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 13 years ago

I thought the movie made clear that the Dad Sven character was still smoking something that's illegal in Minnesota.

Given the age of your acquaintance — and lack of evidence of drug use — I'd have thought those symptoms to be indicative of a stroke.

(BTW: Interesting User_ID)

---
"The time has come," the Walrus said, "To talk of many things,"
Of atoms, stars and nebulæ, of entropy and genes.
---

[–] Clothes-Off 13 years ago

He hasn't had a stroke that I know of, and the person who's friends with him has known him a long time. Rather it has been more of gradual but steady decline which we're pretty sure is medical in nature.

If it wasn't for the friend of his who's close to me, I'd have nothing to do with him--as even without the issues, I believe he'd still be a jerk.

(BTW: Thanks. My old User_ID was boring.)

"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns

[–] Frumious_Bandersnatch_46 13 years ago

Has this acquaintance been tested for Alzheimer's?

[–] Clothes-Off 13 years ago

I doubt he even sees a doctor regularly, but I'm curious and will have to ask next time his subject comes up, thanks.

"Well, for once the rich white man is in control!" C. M. Burns