a film by Richard LeMay 2007 | 99 mins | US ›› Whirlwind a sexy, funny, yet equally perceptive film on love and loyalty Charting the ups and downs of a close-knit group of friends, this relationship drama with a difference finds the habitual routine of five openly gay men turned inside out upon the arrival of Drake; a smooth-talking stranger who charms his way into their lives with the lure of excitement. Yet charismatic and flirtatious Drake is not all he appears to be. For like a whirlwind, this is a man intent on causing destruction in his wake. Bitter about his sole relationship having turned sour, he now gets his kicks from destroying the happiness of others, by way of pitting friend against friend. After all, if he can't be happy in love, then why should anyone else be? Only with the bonds between forever single JD, seasoned love 'em and leave 'em guy Desmond and still in mourning Mick easy prey to a man only too willing to use his body to secure his game plan, the question beckons whether lovers Bobby and Sean will be able to show Drake that true love conquers all? Filled with more bars, clubs and dinner parties than what you can shake a cocktail at, this telling feature from director Richard LeMay of 200 American fame, places the issue of monogamy centre stage. In doing so and as somewhat expected, the complexity of human relationships and the opposing sides of the loyalty / infidelity coin are thrown into the cinematic air, only to land on the gay scene and a series of bars in which no chat up line is necessary. Yet at its core lies the relationship between Alexis Suarez as Bobby and Bryan West as commitment shy Sean, one that was already on rocky ground courtesy of Bobby's fast track plans to find a place for them to move in together. That such plays into the hands of David Rudd as the ulterior motive hot stud of the piece, goes without saying. Or does it? For here LeMay delights in questioning just how easy, or perhaps not, is it to break up a couple so deeply in love with each other? Well acted throughout and complete with enough man-on-man lip-service to more than keep the boys happy, this take on what you really want from life is in many ways a follow-on to The Broken Hearts Club, given it charts the relationship roller coaster of a group of thirty-something gay men. That all emerge stronger from the emotional turmoil that they are forced to endure by a man hell bent on raining on their parade, is brought home in a sexy, funny, yet equally perceptive film. Need more be said? Gay Visibility - overt.  Nudity - bare-arsed cheek.  Overall - file under ... 3 stars.  ›› Available to buy from Amazon.com. ›› Available to buy from Amazon.co.uk. available on DVD as part of the Peccadillo Pictures catalogue: 11.January.2010 / UK. starring: Brad Anderson, Desmond Dutcher, Mark Ford, David Rudd, Alexis Suarez, Bryan West, Michael Paternostro, Robbie Cain, Stephen Smith, Karmine Alers-Greco, Gail Herendeen, Laura Taylor, Valentine Ryder, Jim Horvath and Clifton Oliver. Copyright 2010 David Hall - www.gaycelluloid.com. archive reference #258 ›› previous page | back to top | print me ‹‹