More
Than Just Hormones
Just
released on video, Trick takes us on a gay witty love
adventure
One
of the more memorable events of Summer '99 was the release
of director Jim Fall's romantic comedy, Trick. This
little movie has turned out to be the highest grossing
independent gay film ever. And for good reason: the
writing is clever; the humor is sophisticated and funny;
the musical numbers are great; the cast is perfect (and
very easy on the eye). Now, Trick is set for video release
on Feb. 4. All in all, worthy of every gay film buff's
collection.
Trick
tells the story of one day in the life of Gabriel (Christian
Campbell), a young gay man who writes songs and musicals
about romantic euphoria, but whose life is rather monastic.
His best friend is Kathrine (Tori Spelling) a "budding"
singer/actress. She and Gabriel perform "Enter You,"
one of his show stoppers to great comic effect at a
writers workshop. There we meet Perry (a hilarious Steve
Hayes). Perry critiques the song and wonders if "Enter
You" really captures the thrill of a first kiss with
a potential lover. That's what Gabriel will find out.
Mark
(JP Pitoc) is the go-go boy gay archetype with the killer
body and handsome good looks. Gabriel, insecure about
his own sex appeal, is surprised when Mark picks him
up on the subway.
Trick
sends its heroes on a colorful tour of Manhattan gay
life. At the West Village piano bar, Eighty Eight's,
they meet up with Perry who is feeling "chanteusy" and
belting out a mock salsa number filled with double entendre.
Next it's off to a Tribeca dance club where the music
is louder and shirts are optional. Here we meet the
the impervious drag queen, Ms. Coco Peru. (By the way,
look for an appearance by Ms. Peru later this year,
brought to Houston by Unhinged Productions.) In addition
to her fierce version of I Am Woman, she delivers a
slanderous monolouge in the bathroom that nearly steals
the show.
As
the evening unfolds it's obvious that this whatever
that's happening has gone beyond hormones. The West
Village has never looked better and New York more hopeful
than the closing number: Gabriel singing his own song,
"Enter You," and meaning it.
Jim
Fall has been trying to make a film for the past 10
years. He kept busy by writing and directing plays like
Blood Orgy of the Carnival Queens for the Vortex Theater.
He says it kept him working with actors and telling
visual stories. He has since moved to Los Angelas to
pursue his directing career. When asked if he has caught
any flack for the "gay for pay" aspect of the film -
both Christian Campbell and JP Pitoc are straight -
Jim says not at all. "They were the best guys for the
parts. They jumped wholeheartedly into the roles and
I'm proud of them." Me too ... that kiss at the end
is pretty convincing. - Alan Davidson
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