Every once in awhile, you go see a nice, romantic comedy. The couple meet, the have that great mutual attraction, although it's sometimes unclear as to on what level, and they start, in one way or another to fall in love. A good, old fashioned romantic comedy throws in a few complications to make it that much more difficult for them to get together, and then there's always the meddlesome friends or ex-lovers that get in the way as well. Oh, and let us not forget a great comic monologue or two, some really sappy tear jerking scenes (perhaps of heart breaking abandonment, or something like that), and, if it has some music - well that's even better! And, even better (at least in the late 90's, as sort of a Millennium bender), let's make almost all of the main characters gay.
This, in a nutshell is what Trick has done. It has given us the definitive, fun hetero-friendly gay romantic comedy. Sure there are scenes of guys kissing, and some very beefy beefcake. But not once do we actually see a penis, or a bare butt (well, an almost bare butt, and some very funny bare breasts). And while there are drag queens, they deliver some damn funny moments and monologues. Any cliches that my be placed within the context of this smart script by Jason Schafer, are far from gay stereo types and only act as a homage to the great Capra-like comedies of the 30's and 40's that only wished they could actually portray gay couples as real people.
An ultra-low budget independent directed by Jim Fall, Trick has a slick bigger budget feel due to the sharp, street smart cinematography of lenser Terry Stacey and some great performances from a basically no-name cast. The one "name", if one can call her that, is Tori Spelling, who tosses away the entrapments of being daddy's girl in "B.H. 90210", and turns on a surprisingly strong comedic performance as Katherine, perhaps the worlds worst musical comedy actress. You go girl! She could easily become one of those indie queens. Not wanting for the cash of the big budget Hollywood films of many other T.V. stars, she's now flexed her acting muscles in a couple of low budget performances ("The House of Yes"), and proved herself a strong contender to Parker Posey and Rose McGowan.
Let us not forget our lovely lovers, Gabriel and Mark, played respectively by Christian Campbell (Neve's brother), and John Paul Pitoc. Both generate considerable charm as the frustrated couple "trying to make it in the big city", as the films tagline would have it. These boys should be watched, because they both have looks and talent that should shine through even stronger in future, less cliche driven performances.
And one would be remiss not to mention Clinton Leupp's hysterical performance as a drag queen driven by jealous revenge. This guy is a hoot...and he sort of looks like Tori at 45 (should I actually say that?).
It's refreshing to see a film with gay themes so very much aimed at the main stream market. Perhaps, with the dawning of the year 2000, Hollywood will take a nod from such strong willed film makers such as Jim Fall, et al, and begin offering us more cinema that touches our heart with understanding...that often we can fall in love with a person, not a gender. And that we often do.
This, in a nutshell is what Trick has done. It has given us the definitive, fun hetero-friendly gay romantic comedy. Sure there are scenes of guys kissing, and some very beefy beefcake. But not once do we actually see a penis, or a bare butt (well, an almost bare butt, and some very funny bare breasts). And while there are drag queens, they deliver some damn funny moments and monologues. Any cliches that my be placed within the context of this smart script by Jason Schafer, are far from gay stereo types and only act as a homage to the great Capra-like comedies of the 30's and 40's that only wished they could actually portray gay couples as real people.
An ultra-low budget independent directed by Jim Fall, Trick has a slick bigger budget feel due to the sharp, street smart cinematography of lenser Terry Stacey and some great performances from a basically no-name cast. The one "name", if one can call her that, is Tori Spelling, who tosses away the entrapments of being daddy's girl in "B.H. 90210", and turns on a surprisingly strong comedic performance as Katherine, perhaps the worlds worst musical comedy actress. You go girl! She could easily become one of those indie queens. Not wanting for the cash of the big budget Hollywood films of many other T.V. stars, she's now flexed her acting muscles in a couple of low budget performances ("The House of Yes"), and proved herself a strong contender to Parker Posey and Rose McGowan.
Let us not forget our lovely lovers, Gabriel and Mark, played respectively by Christian Campbell (Neve's brother), and John Paul Pitoc. Both generate considerable charm as the frustrated couple "trying to make it in the big city", as the films tagline would have it. These boys should be watched, because they both have looks and talent that should shine through even stronger in future, less cliche driven performances.
And one would be remiss not to mention Clinton Leupp's hysterical performance as a drag queen driven by jealous revenge. This guy is a hoot...and he sort of looks like Tori at 45 (should I actually say that?).
It's refreshing to see a film with gay themes so very much aimed at the main stream market. Perhaps, with the dawning of the year 2000, Hollywood will take a nod from such strong willed film makers such as Jim Fall, et al, and begin offering us more cinema that touches our heart with understanding...that often we can fall in love with a person, not a gender. And that we often do.