Review: "Outrage"

Rated resulted in a change to that institution's policies, and a real-world impact wouldn't be unexpected from Outrage. Granted, the homophobia-driven shady dealings addressed in Outrage aren't institutionalized, but the media coverage that the film's allegations may spur could lead to some interesting revelations in the traditional media.

Interestingly, that's where similarities to Rated end. While that film's undercover, gun-and-run approach to pulling back the MPAA's curtain (including hiring a lesbian private detective to stalk ratings board members) gave the film a thrilling, anti-establishment energy, Outrage owes more to Ken Burns than Michael Moore.

There are no searing undercover stings of gay politicians to be found here ... at least none that can't be read about on any number of blogs already.

In fact, the film's relative calm and clinical approach might be its biggest failing, as even the interstitial graphics are meant to look like microfilm and case file evidence (as though this were a particularly gay and bloodless episode of NCIS). Despite its much-touted controversial nature and scathing expose of the conservative right, Outrage ultimately plays it pretty safe, leaving the dirty work to the muckrakers who have been doing it all along, and thereby keeping a comparatively safe distance from its targets.

The decision might secure the film more mainstream appeal and take the conversation to another level, but die-hard activists may find the approach to be a missed opportunity. And let's face it, when a film opens promising "a profound conspiracy" and fails to deliver one, you have to wonder what might have been left on the cutting room floor.

Still, what's there is well-rendered. The discussion is presented in an effective arc that begins with politicians whose closeting has led to ruin, and ends with more inspirational stories of those who have come out and bettered their lives including Barney Frank, Rep. Jim Kolbe and former Republican National Committee field director Dan Gurley as well as those who are still trying to find that balance (Jim McGreevey. These stories undercut the sensationalistic elements of Outrage and inspires at least a little sympathy for the men still living a lie.

There's also a considerable amount of humor to lighten the mood. Some comes from the hilariously bad campaign ads that Dick has dug up from some of the politicians' old campaigns, and of course a movie filled with gay talking heads is going to have its share of great zingers: "You can't swing a dead cat without hitting a gay staffer on Capitol Hill" ... "[Washington] is like a Broadway show - everything is staged, everything is planned."

But not all the humor is well-placed. One example: while you won't find a bigger fan of the infamous Shepard Smith "Jennifer Lopez blowjob" on-air gaffe (Google it - it's worth it), even I found it out of place in a segment alleging that the FOX News anchor is gay and picks up men at an Upper East Side piano bar.

When it focuses on the positives of living an out, open and authentic life, Outrage's message is almost inspirational. The clip of Harvey Milk urging people to come out over thirty years ago that closes the film is both touching and terrifying, considering how far we've yet to go. And when it's not, it's at least a well-documented cautionary tale that should spark broader discussion of the integrity of the men and women who are making our laws, and the larger implications of living a closeted life.

Either way, the message should be clear to politicians who choose to commit their energies to blocking gay rights while living secret gay lives: this summer, it's open season on hypocrites.

Watch the trailer for Outrage: