a film by Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger 1996 | 82 mins | UK ›› Boyfriends a roller coaster ride of gay relationships in the '90s Sexually up for it, this remarkably honest depiction of the lives and indeed lovers of a group of gay men charts the depths and shallows of three couples who meet over Easter for a break, only to see their plans for a relaxing weekend thrown to the wind, as rampant bed-hopping disrupts the tranquil atmosphere of their retreat to the country. Yet is this any surprise when Matt and Owen's 'going steady for three months' relationship is one in which one party is more committed to than the other; whilst Ben and Paul's five year partnership looks like it won't see another five days, let alone years. And then there's Will and Adam, a friendship built on a one-night stand and one that is proving to be one night too many for promiscuous pretty boy Adam. Three couples, all with a history. Question is, do any of them have a future? Written, produced and directed by Neil Hunter and Tom Hunsinger, this all-male feature is in essence a British outing of the American LOVE! VALOUR! COMPASSION! scenario, given it deals with a series of relationship issues and inparticular the themes of trust, love and commitment and the bitter reverse side of such in the form of jealousy, hatred and promiscuity. The result is a roller coaster ride of gay relationships in the '90s, one far removed from its stereotypical Stateside cousin, even if it remains an intimate, if bittersweet viewing experience, charting as it does the two extremes of the relationship spectrum; namely those that are just beginning to those ending in heartrending despair. Thankfully James Dreyfus of GIMME! GIMME! GIMME! fame is superb throughout, aided and abetted by a cast who when not getting down to some manly hanky panky, provide strong portrayals of their respective characters, ones that and to quote direct from the film are all "a bit messed up." Ah such is life! available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue starring: James Dreyfus, Mark Sands, Michael Urwin, Andrew Ableson, David Coffey, Darren Petrucci, Michael McGrath, Russell Higgs Copyright 2004 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #026 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹