''Were the World Mine'' Astounds (and Disappoints Some Too)

November 14, 2008

In fact, these musical scenes are so interesting that they create all kinds of goodwill on the part of the viewer — so much so that you might be willing to forgive some of the film’s less stellar aspects. That’s my explanation for the fact that it made such a huge splash on the film festival circuit prior to a rolling national release that begins this month in New York, San Francisco, and Berkeley, and will soon spread to at least eleven more cities.

But the truth is, some of the movie just doesn’t work.

The movie starts strong with a game of dodgeball turning into a musical number — at least in the mind of our starry-eyed teen hero.

Then the movie immediately stalls, slowly meandering through all kinds of distracting sub-plots and characters. It’s not until a full forty-five minutes later that the real story actually starts, when Timothy discovers the secret of the love potion from A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the text of the play itself (in a delightfully imaginative sequence).

But because the movie spends so long getting to the actual start of the story, the rest of the film seems rushed, with the story resolving itself before it even has a chance to build. The movie was expanded from a well-received 2003 short film, Fairies, and I can’t help but wonder if that’s not part of the problem. The film was not conceived as a unified whole; as a result, it seems patched together — almost two films in one, a beautiful old house with a creaky, uneven addition.

Meanwhile, much of the supporting characterizations are over-the-top, especially a clichéd homophobic gym teacher and an even more clichéd Bible-spewing parent who both read like something from, well, typical indie gay cinema.

But so far, audiences have been more than willing to forgive these flaws.

And maybe that’s exactly the way it should be. It’s hard to begrudge an obviously talented filmmaker his hard-earned success, or an audience its pleasure at discovering something that dares to be truly different.

But while I can certainly appreciate the film’s charms, and I can even recommend it, I find myself a little frustrated too. It’s a good film, yes. But it could have been great.

Submitted by

Michael Jensen

on Fri, 2008-11-14 10:57.

TAGS ::

well worth seeing

Submitted by

davidm (170 points) (40 posts)

on Fri, 2008-11-14 19:33.

I agree, this was a lot of fun... and I don't even usually like musicals. Sure it has one or two rough patches, mostly related to its indie budget and how that limits the time that goes into polishing a script, the number of takes, editing etc. But still, Were The World Mine is well worth seeing. The music is great, the two leads are charming actors with great singing voices. I'd definitely recommend this more highly than Shelter (another recent good but flawed gay film) primarily because when Were The World Mine takes a few implausible plot turns... well that's to be expected in a musical fantasy. This film feels so fresh and big-hearted, it's unlike any other gay film I've seen. If you get a chance, try to see this on a big screen. It deserves it. (The director, Tom Gustafson, was at the film festival screening I attended and told of heading out from New York to Chicago to begin shooting with his credit cards maxed. He only found out enroute that enough financing had been arranged to proceed. It's remarkable what he achieved.)

Average (1 vote):

see individual ratings

I agree completely

Submitted by

Brent Hartinger (345 points) (1128 posts)

on Fri, 2008-11-14 23:25.

The problems in the film are almost certainly due to the (very) limited budget. And taking that into consideration, the film is (even more) remarkable. But we don't grade on a curve here. I was determined to review the movie as it is, not giving any bonus points because it doesn't have the budget of, say, BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. But I hope everyone sees it for themselves, because it really is new and different and well worth seeing.

Read my books! Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com Average (2 votes):

see individual ratings

loved this film...and disagree with the review. A bit....

Submitted by

Brian (1 post)

on Fri, 2008-11-14 22:19.

I have to disagree with part of this review. I was a bit surprised to see the title...I was not disappointed at all.

I am a bit wary of reviews that say things like, "the real story" doesn't start until.... One of my favorite things about the film was the build up to Timothy discovering the potion. Up until that point it seemed like any other gay coming of age film (with musical numbers...but whatever....). At that moment, I sat in my seat thinking...ok...this is where the film is going. And it's great. Funny how the delay in the inciting incident was a plus for me and a negative for this blogger. Oh well, what can you do.

Brian

Average (1 vote):

see individual ratings

THIS TITLE MISLEADS

Submitted by

jcmax (5 points) (1 post)

on Sat, 2008-11-15 02:22.

For me - ALL of the movie worked. Quite well. I was in tears for the first half because it was so close to my own experience and then I laughed my ass off with a huge grin on my face for the second half! Too many bloggers "review" things by comparing to either another film or to their un-met expectations. Expectations are individual and unfair - I went into this film with none and had one of the most magical and fulfilling experiences in the movie theatre of my life. And it is unfair to compare it to anything - even the random expectations you may have had because of the previous press or awards. It's a scrumptious film and a welcome departure from both the typical "gay film" AND the musicals of the past few years. Have you been to a gay film fest lately? Or even a "mainstream" one?? This film soars far above the usual festival and commercial fray. And clearly deserves even more than the many awards it has won.

Average (3 votes):

see individual ratings

I sadly am yet to see this

Submitted by

Jamie (5 points) (2 posts)

on Sun, 2008-11-16 08:40.

I sadly am yet to see this movie, would anybody know if it will be released in vancouver at all and any dates?

no votes

see individual ratings

I think my big problem with

Submitted by

Steve Berman (176 points) (34 posts)

on Wed, 2008-11-19 13:01.

I think my big problem with the film was two-fold but centered on the aftermath:

1) The romance between the leads was resolved so quickly compared to the lead-up that I felt cheated. I wanted some respite from all the drama and magic, a quiet moment to end on. It seemed too much was focused on the pay-off and then, the lights on on in the theater and we're supposed to leave (and leave too soon).

2) The effects on straight boys who performed sexual gay acts. Okay, I wanted to know if these boys had any memory of screwing around (did anyone in town remember?) or was all forgotten? To me, it seemed important. I thought it weird how suddenly everyone in town was all homo-friendly at the end. Was that because they understood that love was love? I was never quite sure.

Oh, one last thing. I was disappointed that the leads were given a relationship that appeared beyond sex. I mean, yes, it's nice to be all romantic, but the fact that they never played around on-camera while the rest of their class was bumping and grinding seemed ridiculous.

That said, I thought the musical numbers were terrific. I'd love to have the soundtrack.

Steve

Now Steve's New & Improved with Andre Norton Award Finalist power for Vintage!

www.steveberman.com

no votes

see individual ratings

At first, it kinda creeped me out

Submitted by

Brent Hartinger (345 points) (1128 posts)

on Wed, 2008-11-19 14:08.

I mean, these guys are enchanted into having sex. Isn't that, like, rape? But then I thought, "No, wait, this is a riff on the original Shakespeare play" (which doesn't involve actual sex, but it's kinda the same thing). Still, that whole involuntary gay sex part did kinda creep me out a little.

Read my books! Explore "Brent's Brain" at http://www.brenthartinger.com no votes

see individual ratings

Brent, have you ever read the original Midsummer Night's Dream?

Submitted by

sk (-10 points) (1 post)

on Sat, 2009-10-10 14:05.

In the play, tension is produced by bestiality fer godsake. Any "love potion" theme always implies involuntary love and sex. It is no different here. Indeed, the "enchantment" of same-sex love is uncontroversial by comparison.

As for "involuntary gay sex," I note that the "free will" theme points in another direction: compulsory heterosexuality that only appears voluntary. Now, the main pair of lovers were already in the process of falling in love pre-enchantment, but in the real world, nothing likely would have happened, and this would not be because of free will, but because of customary phobias.

As a rule, I do not like musicals, and I watch more Bergman than gay films. Still, this film managed to adapt Shakespeare in a brilliant fashion. I have actually seen the actress who played the teacher here at Stratford, and she managed uncannily here. I suspect (though the DVD commentary did not suggest it) that she had some hand behind the scenes in making the Shakespearian magic work here.

As for your claim that the film bogged down near the beginning, that too I find peculiar. I agree with you only that I did not like the handling of the coach role. I also do not think the mother was all that well played (or well written). The pulse of the movie was, I thought, wonderfully conceived, one never quite knowing ahead of time when reality would morph into fantasy, and, ultimately, how reality and fantasy merged. I note that this merging is utterly central in the original play.

Finally, I particularly liked the acting of Cohen, who, despite being inexperienced, delivered Puck's lines extremely well. By the way, Puck was not supposed to be a purely harmless fairy in the play, having more than a hint of darkness. That, too, was appropriately realized in this movie by Cohen.

P.S.: It seems that as I have edited this comment (adding or clarifying), my "points" have gone to negative. Not that I care, mind you. Who really cares about AFTERELTON points? Still, it's puzzling.

no votes

see individual ratings

completely agree with brent...

Submitted by

Markie27 (996 points) (267 posts)

on Mon, 2008-11-24 04:56.

though i enjoyed the film ... i still believe that it would have been a GREAT film... the heart was there. plus there's great music... it started well... climax was beautiful... but in between it felt a bit dragging. and the resolution too abrupt. i wished they would concentrate on the love story of the two leads instead of trying to make a statement about homophobia (although i commend them for what they did). i think it would have been more interesting if they made a true love story instead of a social commentary. just a thought. i still cheered at the end... and i agree - even with its flaws, it was still a beautiful, enchanting film.

no votes

see individual ratings

I'll look for it then

Submitted by

Roger (5 points) (1 post)

on Tue, 2008-12-23 04:45.

Though i think there is a german movie about some guys that find a rare plant and they extract a love potion from it. I've been tracking the movie for quite some time now (and procrastinating the search as well LOL), can't remember the name though, if anyone knows please do tell.

no votes

see individual ratings

Coming Soon to Sydney

Submitted by

Ian (40 points) (8 posts)

on Sat, 2009-01-17 19:54.

For those readers in Australia, this movie will be the lead movie at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Film Festival in February this year. I am looking forward to seeing it having looked a number of the Utube trailers.

no votes

see individual ratings

I didn't like the movie at all!!

Submitted by

Kitty (1667 points) (382 posts)

on Wed, 2009-06-10 22:28.

I didn't have any expectations before I saw the film. I had heard it mentioned a few times on AfterElton and that was about it. It was available through Comcast On Demand, so I decided why not?

First off, the movie was incredibly BORING! And I'm not just saying that b/c I didn't like it, its because it is. Bret talks about how nothing happens for almost a full hour, and then the last 30 minutes are really rushed. The thing is that you don't care about the last 30 minutes b/c your so horribly bored by the first hour. Now I'm into movies like "The English Patient" and "American Beauty", so I know a good dramatic buildup when I see one. This was not it.

Secondly, the musical numbers were not good at all. I don't remember a single one of them. The best thing about them, the makeup. They look really pretty, but thats about it. It was also one of reasons why I was continuously fighting sleep throughout this movie. While I was not expecting "Grease", it was just about 5 slow awkward songs set to some random dance movies (not beneficial to the story in the least, or even enjoyable by their own right).

Next, the story itself. While the concept sounds great on paper, it was put into the wrong hands for the making of this film. I guess b/c its a gay film, I was kinda expecting more of a self discovery and less a wild random cohesion of dance/fantasy/characters I couldn't have cared less about.

Lastly, in order for a movie to be considered "good" in my opinion, at least one of these questions has to be fulfilled:

What was the point of this movie and did it get you thinking about the subject? No b/c there was no point to this movie.

What did I learn from it? Nothing. Nothing at all. This was in no way a morality story.

Was the movie original in a dramatic, comedic, artful, visual, or cinematic way? No.

If it wasn't original, were you at least entertained? No.

Would I recommend this movie for the parts that I did like, despite how bad it might have been? NO, NO, NO!

Kitty

no votes

see individual ratings

awwww

Submitted by

Brazilianick (95 points) (22 posts)

on Fri, 2009-10-23 00:49.

that's a cute picture of a kitten! awww!

Average (1 vote):

see individual ratings

A little late...

Submitted by

HighDensity02 (97 points) (19 posts)

on Wed, 2009-06-17 11:03.

So I'm a little late with adding my opinion to the movie but whatever...

When I first heard about this movie, I instantly got excited. I love gay films (some more than others) and I love musicals so I assumed the combination of the two would be absolutely stellar.

I had to wait until it was released on DVD to actually watch it *tear* but it finally came and I watched it.

I absolutely LOVE this movie!!! I was so into the plot and I felt that I was an innocent bystander in the world of the movie...it had my complete and undivided attention the whole time!

The only bad thing I have to say about the movie is the end...I didn't want it to end and I wanted it to go longer! Granted, the ending was cute and I liked it, but I just wish that it continued a bit...*tear*

Yeah, I know, I'm a big sucker for cheesy movies! <3!

Average (1 vote):

see individual ratings

Welcome to AfterElton.com!

''Were the World Mine'' Astounds (and Disappoints Some Too)