Gayby by Jonathan Lisecki ›› Gayby

a film by Jonathan Lisecki.

2012 | 89 mins | US.

principal players: Jenn Harris / Jenn, Matthew Wilkas / Matt, Mike Doyle / Scott, Anna Margaret Hollyman / Kelly, Jack Ferver / Jamie, Jonathan Lisecki / Nelson, Louis Cancelmi / Louis, Alycia Delmore / Linda, Charlie Barnett / Daniel, Adam Driver / Neil, Joanne Tucker / Valerie and with Sarita Choudhury as Ushma and Dulé Hill as Adam.

Adapted Synopsis: "Now in their mid-thirties, openly gay Matt and his straight best friend Jenn have called in the pact they made all those college years ago, namely and if still unlucky in love at this stage of their lives, they would get together, to literally - get it together. Longing for a baby, only with an ingrained distrust of fertility doctors, can the two - make three, the how you say - old fashioned way?"

Dave says:-

Triumphantly reprising their original roles that made the 2010 short film upon which this feature is expanded upon, an all round delight, here we find Jenn (Harris) and Matt (Wilkas) as their namesakes continue their quest to make a baby, only to get sidetracked in the process, by their desire to find a Mr Right for the night and the days thereafter.

Yet there's more going on here than just a series of perfectly timed comical moments, given actor, writer and director Jonathan Lisecki has build his heart-warming tale on the poignant themes of friendship, loneliness and if anything, trying to get your life back on track. And here cue the emotional subplots of Matt forever unable to get over his ex-boyfriend Tom, having withdrawn himself into work at his comic book store, whilst Jenn's yearning to get ahead by teaching hot yoga, finds her instead demoted to running errands for her boss. Both seek consolation in each other's company, together with their gay and here think screaming best friends Nelson and Jamie, who between them have some, but and sharing the jokes around nicely, not all of the laugh-out-loud liners to be had. Only with Jenn and Matt relishing in the comical awkwardness of the couple's first night of sexual intimacy together, they more than give the boys some, er - stiff competition.

Was it good for you? in Gayby.

Was it good for you? in Gayby.

Sure, there's a few negatives en route, including a number of sitcom styled sequences, standard cinematography, bar a beautifully framed outdoor scene, let alone a tag-on like ending that for some may prove to be a shade too neat 'n' tidy. But that said, this is equally a film that had it been done Hollywood style, would have had the names Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd stamped all over it. Only would they have played it any better, than the dynamic Jenn Harris and Matthew (Curious Thing) Wilkas pairing? Frankly I doubt it, as the two proudly showcase the simple truth that and like such features as Bear Cub and Breakfast with Scot wonderfully illustrate, it's not the sexuality of the parents that count, it's the love given to the child.

Do you come here often? in Gayby.

Do you come here often? in Gayby.

And there's a lot of love to be found here, dripping as it is with some hot man-on-man lip-service, let alone a series of yoga inspired sex positions, that includes a neat take on all things water-based. Added to which Lisecki as Matt's gay best friend Nelson is not afraid to poke fun at himself, in the form of his NellyBear persona, that is when not working on the next witty one-liner. In short, midwife Lisecki has delivered a pure bundle of joy, given Jenn and Matt are so endearing, that you just want the best for them, as lifelong friends fall in and out of love, or rather - love making.

Gay Visibility - overt. 
Nudity - strictly from the waist up. 
Overall - file under ... 3+ stars. 
›› available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue: 11.March.2013 / UK. ‹‹
›› also available on DVD as part of the Wolfe Video catalogue: 11.December.2012 / US. ‹‹
with special thanks to the Frameline Completion Fund.
official website:
www.gaybyfilm.com
Copyright 2013 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com.
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