BRISTOL, Connecticut, U.S.A. — Let’s start by saying that I’m not an independent film guy. This established, you’ll understand why I had to spend the first five minutes wondering what I was doing in the audience of a movie I’d never heard of, by an unknown director, with no big names and a shoestring budget.
It also occurred to me that I was probably the only straight male at a homosexual romantic comedy.
Twenty minutes into Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss, I’d abandoned all reservations.
Tommy O’Haver directs what I’d say was one of a handful romantic comedies of the last decade that I could stomach. The genre has grown as bloated by uninspired plots with big name players as “independent” film has stale in the warm glow of admiration from the coffee house crowd.
Billy Collier, a struggling gay photographer, is bored with Hollywood. His work is “too artsy,” his sex life’s a mess and he’s not sure where his next latte’s coming from.
That is, until he meets Gabrielle, the striking Brad Pitt clone waiting tables at the local coffee house.
Billy’s not only smitten, but uses Gabe as a model, finding instant success.
Billy’s head over heels, but is Gabrielle gay? I’m not telling.
Suffice to say this is a humorous look at relationships, straight or gay, platonic or romantic. Finally, something worth your $7.50.
Joe Wilbur is a Reporter for Youth Journalism International.
