I was really looking forward to this after much hype from my gay friends but left feeling very disappointed - what a ridiculous portrait of what could have been very romantic, rewarding, uplifting etc.
This is someones fantasy - and the setting is lovely enuf - but the central character being loved by all is too much to buy for starters - guess its unconditional love - cuz this whiny, self absorbed drip is not much of a catch - there is no clue of his talents as an artist either - and no people skills with the kids or old ladies or much of anyone - so we are off to a bad start making this story work.
some very sweet scenes - one between Henry and his gramps, others between the mayor and the closet case who is in love with him but just cant do it for whatever reasons (maybe to keep custody of the kids?) Nice to see Louise Fletcher up there - and a sweet voice too - but thats not enuf to redeem this silly farce -
a town full of people who cant face their feelings or must hide behind an old ladys skirt rather than come out - and then an instant fix ending when suddenly the only minority in town does come out and he and Henry start french kissing at the town dance - like that would happen up there in Aryan Nation country - oh its just too silly to waste more words on -
a real shame cuz there is obviously some good heart and soul behind it -Whats most disturbing is how this cant really happen in small town america in the year 2001 - i have lived in 7 states so i have some idea of reality for gays and minorities and it aint pretty. Most of us would barely go back for a weekend let alone move back into that mire.
This is someones fantasy - and the setting is lovely enuf - but the central character being loved by all is too much to buy for starters - guess its unconditional love - cuz this whiny, self absorbed drip is not much of a catch - there is no clue of his talents as an artist either - and no people skills with the kids or old ladies or much of anyone - so we are off to a bad start making this story work.
some very sweet scenes - one between Henry and his gramps, others between the mayor and the closet case who is in love with him but just cant do it for whatever reasons (maybe to keep custody of the kids?) Nice to see Louise Fletcher up there - and a sweet voice too - but thats not enuf to redeem this silly farce -
a town full of people who cant face their feelings or must hide behind an old ladys skirt rather than come out - and then an instant fix ending when suddenly the only minority in town does come out and he and Henry start french kissing at the town dance - like that would happen up there in Aryan Nation country - oh its just too silly to waste more words on -
a real shame cuz there is obviously some good heart and soul behind it -Whats most disturbing is how this cant really happen in small town america in the year 2001 - i have lived in 7 states so i have some idea of reality for gays and minorities and it aint pretty. Most of us would barely go back for a weekend let alone move back into that mire.