The Broken Hearts Club starring
Timothy Olyphant, Zach Braff, Dean
Cain, Andrew Keegan, Nia Long
"The Gay Version Of "Sex And The City""
After viewing the gay ensemble film The Broken Hearts Club--the subtitle
of which helpfully points out that its a romantic comedy --you might feel as if
youve been offered a discussion conundrum not unlike the kind that Mike
Myerss Linda Coffee Talk Richman would put forward: The Broken Hearts
Club is neither romantic nor comedic. Discuss. What it is, rather, is a gay
male version of Steel Magnolias, right down to the funeral scene and
hospital visit. While decidedly less melodramatic than that Southern chick
flick, it still aspires to a kind of big-group love-in feeling thats only vaguely
comic. And romance? Well, theres some somewhere, when the characters
arent carping about how the only thing theyre good at is being gay. They
all wrestle with their Big Issues--should Patrick (Ben Weber) donate sperm
so his sister can have a baby with her lesbian lover? Will cynical Dennis
(Timothy Olyphant) finally admit he loves just-out-of-the-closet Kevin
(Andrew Keegan)? How will love-em-and-leave-em Cole (Dean Cain) feel
when hes rejected by the closeted movie star?--but to little effect, despite
some snappy one-liners and occasional keen observances of gay culture.
Writer-director Greg Berlantis screenplay still feels about two or three
drafts away from completion, and when faced with stalling action, he opts
for a montage set to one of many Carpenters songs (covers, not the actual
hits themselves). Kudos go to the acidic Weber for infusing what could
have been a whiny character with a dry, intelligent wit, and the surprisingly
charming Cain, who makes Cole someone you cant really hate too much
despite all his faults--it would be like hating a puppy. If only all the
characters were half as appealing. --Mark Englehart
Way before "Queer as Folk" debut, this little independent filmed found its
way into movie theatres and into the hearts of millions. "The Broken Hearts
Club" is about a bunch of gay men, living in the Westwood area of Los
Angeles, which is the city's gay district. The characters range in age from
their early '20's to their late '50's, and anyone who watches this film can
relate to at least one of the characters. We see stories of guys trying to find
that special relationship with Mr. Right, guys having problems while having
a relationship, and we even see a story of a gay man who may give his
sperm to a lesbian couple; I have to wonder if that story actually persuaded
the writers of "Queer as Folk" to do a similar story with Brian. Anyhow,
"The Broken Hearts Club" is really one of the best gay themed films ever,
with superb acting, directing, and writing. Dean Cain, who plays the
promiscuos stud in the piece, steals the film. His good looks and demeanor
are really intense, and we can see why men would fall for him. In this
movie two types of gays are portrayed; the ones who want a relationship,
and those who are contented in living their lives alone, albeit with a good
sex life. What ties the men together is their genuine friendship for one
another, as we see their love for each other is what binds them. I look at
"The Broken Hearts Club" as the gay "Sex and the City", where friends
would do anything for one another.
This is a great piece of cinema and I would recommend it highly to anyone
who wants to watch a film with integrity and intelligence. I only wish more
films of this calliber were being produced in Hollywood.
The DVD features commentary by the ditrector and producer, there are
deleted scenes added, and the original trailer is included.
Critic Jami Bernard, from the New York Daily Times, says..."new ground is
broken by "The Broken Hearts Club". The first mainstream gay movie...".
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