I Think I Do (1997) Poster

(1997)

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8/10
Tuc Watkins is great!
knowjack24 May 2001
It's really too bad this film didn't get a big theatrical push. It's one of the breeziest, most enjoyable 'fluff' movies I have seen in a long time. I have had straight and gay friends equally enjoy it. The best thing about it is Tuc Watkins. His performance as the slightly dim soap star was excellent. Really, he truly deserved recognition for this fine supporting performance. The rest of the cast does great too--and the script is funny and sexy. Definitely recommended!
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6/10
Quite charming
Jimmy-12813 December 2000
The annual gay romantic comedy for 1997, "I Think I Do" has some very clever moments. The characters are a bit broadly drawn but are still believable, and the plot stretches credibility a bit but still manages to work.

The best moment, however, happened offscreen. At one point, one character consoles another by saying, "You're trying to hard. If you just stop looking, the right guy will come along."

To which someone in the audience yelled, "IT'S NOT TRUE!!!!!!!!!"
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8/10
If you can't fall in love with your best friend, who can you fall in love with?
film-critic19 February 2006
I was very surprised by the level of humor, wit, charm, and simplicity surrounding the film I Think I Do. I was expecting to see another low-budget independent film about homosexuality similar to what I witnessed in Go Fish, you know, the graininess of the scenes, the cliché homosexual characters coupled with humor that would be more political than funny, but I was wrong. I must admit, I Think I Do was extremely stage-ish and not overly original, but what captured my attention throughout the film was the level of respect that the friends had for each other. This was not a film that carried any hatred, or insecurities, or racism towards our main characters, but instead centered itself on the power of friends. I think that is why I had such a big smile on my face as I watched this film. Sure, on the surface it was about a gay man's struggle to decide between the man he has loved for many years or the long-term relationship he has already developed. Yet, for me, there was so much more. I would have to say that friendship was the central theme of this film, and director Brian Sloan realized this and used it to his advantage. Instead creating this cliché pro-homosexuality film, Sloan just created a movie. As you watch the characters develop, you forget that this is a gay film, but instead feels just like a typical modern romance that you would pay to see in theaters. I hate to use the word average, but for I Think I Do, it is not a bad thing. This was an average movie, and because of the average nature of the themes, characters, and emotions, I Think I Do is better than any romantic comedy that Hollywood could create.

With independent films you sometimes run into the problem of having too many hands in the cookie jar. By this I mean, too many characters and not having enough time to develop the emotions behind them all. Brian Sloan overcame this typical hurdle and produced a film that gives each of our eight characters a chance to breathe and live on screen. As I think back to this film, I do not know of one character that I could say I didn't know anything about. It is rare in cinema, because so often directors focus most of the attention on their two centralized characters that the minor players fall to the wayside. This is not the case in I Think I Do. Everyone is developed, shockingly, and everyone is their own unique personality. Sloan made sure that the eight different players didn't suddenly end up like each other. With these types of films, especially in Go Fish, everyone was the same. You had characters that were supposed to be different, but talked and walked exactly the same. It is as if a gay man can only be played one way. This film proves different. I thought that the entire Sterling Scott backstory was hysterical. Here you have this mediocre soap opera star that has this HUGE gay fan base. For me, I found this so funny. Sterling was by far my favorite character because he could have been one to dapper the entire film, but instead he continued to keep it light and bubbly. It was good to finally have "fun" characters, watching them have fun, and seeing this over-played story develop in a new way.

The music in this film played a huge part in creating the tone of the film. Instead of playing these cliché gay music, Sloan took contemporary tunes and placed them in the background. These songs completely lightened the mood and created the essence of a comedy. There weren't any dark, dreary moments to this film, you knew what was going to happen from the beginning, the only obstacle to overcome would be how Sloan was going to handle it. I must admit, he did a great job. Sloan's camera work isn't the greatest, his direction isn't as tight, but that isn't the reason for this film. Love, friendship, and the classic tale of a missed college romance is the center of this film and Sloan keeps that in our face. I have to applaud his dedication to these themes. He didn't go political, he didn't try to make a huge statement about the gay community, he just made a movie. This may be hard for me to explain, but I loved watching the "standard" wedding take place in the backdrop of this bigger romance. I think Sloan placed our characters in the best positions for the best humor. I just think I liked this film because it wasn't pushing pro-gay in my face, it was just demonstrating true love in our modern world.

Again, I would like to restate that this was not a perfect film. Was it a play prior to being captured on film? While the answer may be "no", it did have a stage-like aura to it. The actors seemed to pause after each of their jokes, and my only change would be to speed up the pacing of the humor. It was funny, don't get me wrong, but the overall feeling of the film could have been tightened to create a perfect moment of gay cinema. Finally, Sloan had the ability to build more into his story. He made it so simple that more lines could have been crossed, and I secretly wished they would have. I wanted to see more between Beth and Eric, and even more closure with Sarah, but I was satisfied. This was a great film. Funny, witty, charming … you know, all those elements that seem to be missing whenever Hollywood taps its magic wand. The story was unoriginal, but the themes will just grab at you and make you happy to live in a culture that will soon accept this type of lifestyle.

Grade: **** out of *****
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Wacky - Tacky - Fun
jamie-8117 December 1999
This movie is a total riot. I enjoyed the cast as an ensemble. Tuc Watkins is outstanding as the aging Soap Star, and Patricia Mauceri (who co-starred with Watkins on One Life to Live) is a total delight. The ending is a little fantasy like, but who cares, I had a great time watching it - and you will too!
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7/10
Rough edges, warm heart & Gorgeous Alexis Arquette
Parker-1410 January 1999
It's a very gay film that's accessible to everybody. It's fun, it's witty, and leaves you with a certain fuzziness. Yes, it does also lack scope - looking a little tele-movieish and there's some continuity errors too, but its gentle nature and humour make up for these small problems, especially on the second viewing where one can look past this to view its true essence. And it's also refreshing to see a gay film that doesn't have to scream the fact from the roof tops, it's for anyone gay or straight. As for Alexis Arquette he's the best thing ever to hit the screen in queer cinema...I can't wait to see what he does next !
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10/10
Bitter-sweet gay-themed story book romantic comedy
mdm-1112 October 2004
"I Think I Do" is a wonderful comedy drama about a group of college friends who are in search of love and stability. The film focuses on the complicated situation between two male roommates, who consealed their affection for each other even years after graduation. When two of the clique (boy/girl) get married, everyone reunites and gets to evaluate their own (mostly pitiful) love-life on the wedding day.

From the parents of the bride (who have nothing to say to each other) to over-the-top relatives, everyone has their two cents to add, in order for "the young ones" to have a wonderful life. Offering laughs every minute, this film entertains throughout, climaxing with a story-book ending.

The Sound Track, consisting of Partridge Family songs, is an added touch of class. Still considered "progressive", the film deals with the subject of homosexuality in the matter-of-fact kind of way that it should have been dealt with all along. There was no mention made at all of the fact that the bride and groom were an inter-racial couple; again, something that rightfully was treated without any big words of explanation. We've come a long way, but occasional "outrage" at films such as this one shows that we haven't arrived yet.
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9/10
Marching down and rolling in the aisles
keala19 October 2000
This is just so charming. It's funny and sprightly and very feel-good. After decades of providing anonymous musical vocals for Hollywood actors, Marni Nixon gets an engaging supporting role here as Aunt Alice. Somehow, that's just so right for this movie. I also especially liked Lauren Velez as Carol and Tuc Watkins as Sterling, but all the actors did a fine job (some of them aren't bad looking either).

What really strikes a chord with me, though, is its wish-fulfillment. This film is the ultimate revenge fantasy of anyone who's ever seen - or been - a gay man cruelly disdained by some gorgeous heterosexual object of desire. It revels in poor repentant Brendan's predicament...but it does it in the sweetest, most adoring way possible.

I saw this at our local art academy, where it was apparently brought back by popular demand. The audience was laughing and hooting throughout more than for any other movie I've seen. I was as gleeful as the rest of them.
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5/10
Nothing extraordinary, but a frisky film about gays and straights...
moonspinner5511 November 2006
A gay 20-something and his commitment-minded TV-star boyfriend attend the wedding of a straight college friend, which brings up relationship issues and who's-attracted-to-who predicaments. In the lead, Alexis Arquette (who resembles Jerry Seinfeld) can't seem to get his character out of the doldrums; mopey most of the time, with his hands deep in his pockets, his eyes always seem to be fixed on the ground. Some of the supporting players are cute, Maddie Corman can always be counted on for some extra energy, and the modest film has a squirrelly edge (as when a straight couple makes out to the Partridge Family!). Overall, a bit undernourished, but not callow. The movie is lightly peppered with amusing throwaway lines and it doesn't tip-toe around the gay characters, which is a nice change for queer cinema. ** from ****
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10/10
Brilliant, don't miss it
gr15kg7 June 2002
A hugely enjoyable film, for gay men and all others too. It will have you on the edge of your seat to see if he does or doesn't. Some memorable one liners, and some excellent acting, this has to be up there with Beautiful Thing as an absolute essential for all gay men's dvd collections. Its all handled exceptionally well, with some hilarious set pieces. I'd recommend this to anyone as a real feel good movie, but not one that over does the sentimentality- get it now!!
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1/10
This story could have been told in 5 minutes
adamshilton9 May 2005
I appear to be one of the only people here who thought this film was utter rubbish! Not least because it pandered to every gay stereotype and cliché imaginable. The characters are underdeveloped and shallow and there wasn't a single moment I felt compelled toward, nor identified with any of them.

Additionally, there is far too much padding around a central plot which is dealt with in a naive and simplistic way. This is a story I felt could have been told in 5 minutes rather than a dreary 90. The fact that it is a light hearted comedy shouldn't be an excuse for it being a wishy washy movie.
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10/10
My Favorite Gay Film
Ranjee F26 June 2002
This is my favorite gay film. I wouldn't say its the best - Beautiful Thing or Boys In the Band - I believe have that honor, but its non stop entertainment from the first scene to the last. Alexis Arquette is brilliant as always and Tuc Watkins is a perfect supporting player for Arquette. The other actors hold their own as well. Guaranteed to please almost any audience.
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10/10
Wow, This Changed my Life and Woke Something up in Me!
cats1usa24 June 2000
Where to start, this alternative love story/comedy is FULL of ROMANCE! The subject matter is current and Timely. (My college days brought to life. Wish I'd have paid more attention when I was in college. Too bad I didn't open up more back then. :-( ).

The Cast Excellent!

The story of Brendan (Christian Maelen, a newcomer) and Bob, (Alexis Arquette) and new found love? There's plenty of interaction among a GREAT cast. Aunt Alice (Marni Nixon) adds a delightful push to help our main characters.

Great 70's / 90's soundtrack accenting the action. A really touching, romantic comedy, that transends the lifestyle thing. This cast makes it look so NATURAL and NORMAL for the characters. We loved this film, my friends and I were hesitant at first, but our gay friends told us to chill, get over the gay-phobia thing and enjoy it for what it is, a touching comedy full of love and amazingly, kept clean. Keep the kleenex box nearby though, you will need it. It is Excellent! As the poster says,"One Wedding, No Funeral" ( add- a lot of FUN). God, I think I'm in love.I (we) Agree.

Thanks Strand Releasing, the Producers, Mr. Sloan and CAST! Who wouldn't want to hug these guys and wish them well? Keep an eye on those delightful facial expressions, they're GREAT!
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A nice film about friends and being gay...
cooper-2921 November 2000
I like this film and was pleasantly surprised when I saw it a few years ago. Another movie I'd like to own but it's not on DVD. Why!? This is well written story about friends and being gay and trying to deal with it. I recommend this to everyone
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1/10
It doesn't get much worse
fjciii29 July 2006
This movie is so dreadfully awful, I can't believe I sat through it just to see how this miserable, unfunny, and poorly acted, directed, and written pathetic excuse for a movie would end. RUN... RUN... RUN for the hills if you ever come across it. The clichés are horrible, the acting no better than a high school play, and the lead character is the most annoying I've ever seen. He's self-loathing, psychopathic, and a twit.

The supporting cast are a bunch of cardboard cut-outs and poor excuses to the word "actor." Some earlier reviewer said that this movie is up there with "Beautiful Thing." Are you kidding me?!?!?!?!? My guess would be that the writer of the film patterned the Bob character after himself, which would explain a lot. People don't deserve to be subjected to such trash.
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10/10
Tout amusant!
Forian14 April 1999
"I Think I Do" has been on my mind since I saw it! It is absolutely the best feel-good movie I've ever seen...beautiful cast...fun story...to be honest, I cried!

Some may call it superficial...not true! I can imagine a story like that happening everyday! It's the stuff dreams are made of!
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1/10
So much shallowness
Nimbo2 September 1999
None of these screwballs has CHARACTER. They all are looking for any excuse (thankfully not drugs) to plunge themselves into a drunken stupor. And then any type of behavior is pardonable. They seem to have no grounding, no true substance. They are caricatures, exaggerations. Gay or straight, I would not choose any of them as a lifelong friend or partner. It is all so pitiful. Wasted lives, wasted relations, wasted everything. They exhibit no qualities that would prompt me to pursue avenues of friendship. This movie is for the very young who choose to wallow in the absence of aspirations. All they are able to do is laugh and thereby lessen their terror of life and its responsibilities. They truly are cowards when it comes to self-examination and the foolishness of their reckless philosophy, all fun and nothing else. God protect us from these aimless wanderers. I was so disappointed. But then I am older. And that would explain a lot.
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10/10
The Best Gay Themed Comedy Film That Has Been Made
epopaduke23 April 2003
This film is a classic and has become one of my favorites. The characters, storyline, pacing and general feel of this film is perfect. It is funny, sad, endearing and a film you will want to watch over and over again. The acting is excellent and the slapstick featured in some scenes is perfectly executed. The only tell tale signs that this is a low budget film is some of the lightening could of been better, yet these technical imperfections pale in comparision to the overall quality of the film. The plot is simple, boy (Alexis Arquette) falls in love with college roommate (Christian Maelen) who is his best(est)friend and who is not sure about his own sexual identity in a house with 5 other housemates. Five years later they are reunited at the wedding of former housemates Carol and Matt and a wild and revealing weekend of activities ensue. Enjoy.
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10/10
It's like a cross between Will & Grace and Friends
esoteric-412 November 1999
A friend of mine, who's crazy over limited release, independent films dragged me to see I Think I Do (promising me that I'd absolutely love it). Well, he was right!! This film was very well done, and I'd recommend it to everyone. Although it's theme is a gay storyline, the movie is so mainstream that even people with "homophobic issues" could still thoroughly enjoy it. The characters are intelligent, sexy, and oh-so-90's. The funny lines come in rapid succession, and the situations that the characters find themselves in are truly genuine. The main part of the story deals with this one guy who's in love with his "straight" roommate from college. (a very realistic concept) The gay guy never pursues the other out of fear of rejection. Several years later, the whole gang of friends attend a wedding and a lot of chaos ensues. Although I loved this movie, I had a slight problem with the ending. I won't give it away, but let's just say that the screenplay writer sacrificed reality, for the sake of a happy ending. We don't always get the happy endings in life that we would like. However, the movie as a whole was awesome, and a definite "must-see."
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Geek Lust
notmicro3 February 2002
Geeky gay-boy ends up pursued by hunks in this gay wish-fulfillment romantic indie comedy. Which handsome dreamboat will he pick? Decisions decisions...

Initially set among a group of affluent proto-yuppie college students carousing in Washington DC; then shifts to their lives about 5 years later, as they reassemble for the wedding of one of the group.

Hunky Christian Maelen is more than competent in his co-starring role, and I'm suprised that he hasn't done more work in features. He has that ol' straight-guy appeal which many gay men will find irresistable.

A similar film is the British "Bedrooms and Hallways" (1998).
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1/10
Ridiculous Comedy
jamset4 November 1998
A waste of time to watch. Totally ridiculous. This film was miscast with the female roles resulting in uneven acting and making this an unbelievably bad film. What an insult to the person paying to see this film. Totally awful!! If this is what arthouse films has come to, I'd rather watch cartoons.
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10/10
I Think I Do Again!
tomsull3 August 1999
This movie was very fun. The characters were dynamic with a well thought out script. Brendans' coming out sequence to his friends was hilarious and touching. I think we all wished that we could go back to our first love, and this movie does it.
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1/10
Like a bad train wreck, where you can't turn away from the mangled corpses.
gdragonsf-alpha30 November 2005
This film is horrible. SO poorly written that it surprises me that anyone can suggest otherwise. The acting is camp, over-the-top, community-theater-amateurish, and generally really bad; almost to the point of insulting. This is not a funny film. It rides on the expectation that gay men are hungry for ANY depiction of gay characters who don't die or suffer. I am not a macabre person, but I found myself wishing that these characters would die. I certainly suffered. But like a seeing a train wreck I couldn't turn away... I couldn't believe it could get any worse. It does. Save yourselves. As a post-script, it might interest some to note that this "voice-to-the-stars" Marni Nixon has a small role in this. There's a reason she didn't hit it big as an actress.
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10/10
Love it!!!
ashleyw2230 November 2005
I absolutely love this movie! It is so sweet. At the beginning of the movie when Bob and Brendan are wrestling, it was so obvious that Brendan wanted to kiss Bob. He was just scared and confused. I can't believe he ended up sleeping with Sarah though. She was so obsessed with him it was annoying. I mean come on couldn't she see that Brendan was totally not into her? I guess she just wanted him so much that she was oblivious to the fact that he is gay. Brendan and Bob were destined to be together. They make such a great couple. Bob would have been a total idiot to pass up being with Brendan. If I had to choose between Sterling and Brendan... I would ALWAYS choose Brendan.
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10/10
Man returns to tell his gay former roommate that he's in love with him.
BOB-41722 June 1999
This hilarious comedy about college friends who come back for their mutual friends' wedding is filled with laughs and heart warming moments. The story centers around two old college roommates. One of the men is gay and is in love with his roommate who is known to be a playboy with the ladies. A few years later, the two men meet at their friends' wedding. The gay man is in a relationship and they are thinking of getting "married". The other returns to tell him that he is gay and has always been in love with him. The hilarious scenes at the wedding will have you rolling on the ground in laughter. The supporting cast is just as funny. See this movie with your friends!
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10/10
Romance. Friendship. Fine sense of humour.
sid-1318 November 1998
With a story and cast and soundtrack that matched perfectly, this film is a must-see! You get touched by the love Bob (Alexis Arquette) nourishes for Brendan (Christian Maelen); the true friendship between Bob and Carol (Lauren Velez). Sometimes it strikes you with a smart comment or an openly hilarious scene. You simply cannot resist the film's charm. Brian Sloan gave us a masterpiece already in his feature film debut. I can't wait for his next film.

The cast here is fabulous and it's hard to tell who's the best among the six main characters. However, I must admit that Christian Maelen, Alexis Arquette and Lauren Velez are wonderful here. I enjoyed this film so much! The climax at the train station is beautiful, lovely. Christian Maelen proved he was the right guy for playing Brendan's role.

The soundtrack is also great. "I Think I Love You" by The Voice of Beehive is in my head until now (does it have to do with the fact that I play it almost everyday?). It's a pity there isn't a soundtrack cd available. Let me tell you though that digging out to find all songs featured in the film is part of the fun.

All of this put together makes "I Think I Do" ESSENTIAL!
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