All Over the Guy doesn’t tackle the issue of homosexuality, it simply accepts that its characters are gay. And it’s refreshing to see homosexual relationships and straight relationships treated equally. This isn’t another one of those annoying gay rights movies it just wants to have fun.
Screenwriter Dan Bucantinsky who also stars in and produced the film has a lot of fun with his script. The ingenious dialogue occurs in quick, humorous spurts. The characters speak in a witty, candid, spontaneous style as the dialogue cleverly directs the story in unexpected ways. With amusing references to In & Out, Gone With the Wind, martinis, sex, and family history, it’s difficult not to like the film’s many quirks. How can you dislike a movie that has so much fun with the “fuzzy wuzzy was a bear” rhyme?
In the film, we meet a pair of gay guys, Eli (Dan Bucantinsky) and Tom (Richard Ruccolo), who meet for a date when their best friends (Sasha Alexander and Adam Goldberg) set them up. The date ends in disaster; these guys are complete opposites. Tom’s a promiscuous alcoholic unable to express the slightest emotion, and Eli’s the product of therapist parents who idealize love. But it’s not long before Eli and Tom meet again, and soon enough, we know they’ll end up in each other’s arms and pants.
Newcomer Bucantinsky is a cross between a younger Dustin Hoffman and Martin Short. He’s got the endearing charisma, boyish charm, glowing eyes, soft voice in other woods, he’s the perfect gay guy. All Over the Guy also features amusing cameos by Lisa Kudrow and Christina Ricci.
With all the melodramatic matrimony in the world, it’s about time Hollywood gives us a break from it all. All Over the Guy has a lot of fun with its material, and we have a lot of fun watching it. But the film doesn’t really excel past the usual forgettable Hollywood romantic comedy. Sitcom gags provide the comedy and contrived angst provides the drama. Yet this movie has enough energy and an entertaining, natural sense of humor to provide an enjoyable ride whether you’re gay or straight.
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