Very nice, easy-going and consistently charming. And still ,looking back, I find it hard to find that something special to remember from the movie. There is simply not very much to make it stand out from every other `romantic comedy' except the fact that the story is about two men! The performances are nicely turned and Ruccolo is charming in his part, as is Doris Roberts, who ultimately makes the biggest impression even though she is only on-screen for about 15 minutes. For a gay-themed movie, there is quite a large budget at work here (at least it looks that way) and that certainly is a nice change from all the grainy, blown-up indy-movies that is too common when the subject is homosexuality. And it has a script that is witty and sympathetic towards its characters, gay or straight, with some hilarious comedy from Eli's psychologist parents as portrayed by Martin and Abatemarco. But nothing new is on display here. Eli, as portrayed by Dan Bucatinsky, comes over as somewhat annoying, even though he should be the most sympathetic of the two main protagonists, mainly because he is unnatural in his wittisisms and one-liners. These lines are penned by Bucatinsky himself, by the way, and while they often are very funny, sometimes they come over as too contrived. And I couldn't escape a certain feeling of shallowness. The movie constantly touches on an interesting issue or storyline, but chickens out before anything goes too far away from the mainstream (as in the story about Tom's parents and his sister, alcoholism). And the biggest damage is done from the fact that nothing very special happens. The plot must have been written on the back of a stamp because basically Tom meet Eli, walks out of Eli, comes back to Eli and so on. But what am I complaining of? It still is nice to see a movie with gay characters acting as normal people. It is sweet, good-natured and watchable. Just not very memorable.
94 Reviews
Pleasant, gay romantic comedy
preppy-34 May 2001
Eli (Dan Bucatinsky) and Tom (beautiful Richard Ruccolo) are both gay and attracted to each other but while Eli wants a firm commitment, Tom is afraid. The movie chronicles their on-again, off-again relationship and the effects on their family and friends. There's nothing new or ground-breaking here--just a very pleasant, occasionally hilarious story. The leads are attractive, there's a very strong supporting cast (Doris Roberts, Sasha Alexander, Christina Ricci and Lisa Kudrow in a great cameo) and it's all well-done. Sometimes the characters get a little whiny (Eli especially) and do real stupid things (Eli again) but the film works regardless. There's also a straight couple thrown in for the straight people in the audience. So, nothing great, but pleasant.
Too much pensées
faviv9 March 2005
I have seen what has been written before (that terrible review...), and I feel the need to say that All Over the Guy is not a terrible movie. It's actually very sweet and gentle in portraying two gay characters with issues. Not that it's a wonderful film but I didn't find it disturbing, and I found it somehow pleasant to watch; of course it's a bit to light-headed sometimes but there's nothing bad about it. And yes, I think it is witty sometimes (and mind you, I read the English authors, I have a doctorate in English literature!!!) For those who wish to watch something better Id recommend: Suddenly, last summer; Paragraph 175; Oranges are not the only fruit. GREAT SOUNDTRACK: ESPECIALLY David GRAY'S _PLEASE FORGIVE ME_.
Classic love story
keithla4320 May 2003
I thought about doing this review long ago (and actually started it at one point), but, well, you know how it is... but I just happened to catch the first hour when I went home at lunch, so here goes.
All Over the Guy is, ultimately, a classic boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy, boy loses boy, boy gets boy back. In short, the kind of movie I wished for most of my younger life. It is -- yes, let's just say it and get it over with -- sweet. And that's nothing to be ashamed of.
First, a disclaimer -- I have worked with both Rich Ruccolo and Don Roos (I haven't seen either in years)... but that makes my love of this film all the more amazing. I find it difficult to watch films of actors I have worked with because it's hard to separate the character from the person I know. Rich succeeded in making me forget the actor and concentrate on the character of Tom. Tom is at once vulnerable and supremely sexy; you're not sure whether you want to hug him like a teddy bear or throw him down and get wild with him.
Dan Bucatinsky's Eli is perhaps not the polar opposite of Tom he appears to be. Tom almost physically runs from relationships while Eli backs away apologizing the whole time. They both embody the whole kaleidoscope of feelings that most of us have when we meet someone who interests us -- mostly, of course, fear. Fear of falling in love, or of not falling in love. Fear our feelings won't be returned, or that they will.
Personally, I see an enormous amount of chemistry between Tom and Eli. Look at the scene in the flea market, the interaction of their eyes, the body language... here are two guys who are fighting what they're feeling every step of the way (oh, and by the way, Eli is much more forgiving that I would be about the smoking).
The rest of the cast is superb as well, including some great cameo roles. Most of all, the characters of Brett and Jackie are very funny in a superb role reversal -- instead of the ubiquitous second-banana gay best friends, we have second-banana straight best friends.
The only problem I have with the film is the same problem I have with straight versions of this kind of story. How likely is it that people who appear to have such different interests and such volatile emotions will stay together... not to mention Tom's penchant for alcoholism. But then in "Pretty Woman" I just couldn't shake the feeling that this rich guy wouldn't stay with a prostitute long whether she looked like Julia Roberts or not.
Gay cinema has, thankfully, branched out from the early "Oh my God I'm gay I hate myself I can't let anyone find out" films like "Doing Time On Maple Drive." There is a place for gay cinema in every genre. And this film is in a definite class by itself in its genre.
Enjoy!
All Over the Guy is, ultimately, a classic boy meets boy, boy falls in love with boy, boy loses boy, boy gets boy back. In short, the kind of movie I wished for most of my younger life. It is -- yes, let's just say it and get it over with -- sweet. And that's nothing to be ashamed of.
First, a disclaimer -- I have worked with both Rich Ruccolo and Don Roos (I haven't seen either in years)... but that makes my love of this film all the more amazing. I find it difficult to watch films of actors I have worked with because it's hard to separate the character from the person I know. Rich succeeded in making me forget the actor and concentrate on the character of Tom. Tom is at once vulnerable and supremely sexy; you're not sure whether you want to hug him like a teddy bear or throw him down and get wild with him.
Dan Bucatinsky's Eli is perhaps not the polar opposite of Tom he appears to be. Tom almost physically runs from relationships while Eli backs away apologizing the whole time. They both embody the whole kaleidoscope of feelings that most of us have when we meet someone who interests us -- mostly, of course, fear. Fear of falling in love, or of not falling in love. Fear our feelings won't be returned, or that they will.
Personally, I see an enormous amount of chemistry between Tom and Eli. Look at the scene in the flea market, the interaction of their eyes, the body language... here are two guys who are fighting what they're feeling every step of the way (oh, and by the way, Eli is much more forgiving that I would be about the smoking).
The rest of the cast is superb as well, including some great cameo roles. Most of all, the characters of Brett and Jackie are very funny in a superb role reversal -- instead of the ubiquitous second-banana gay best friends, we have second-banana straight best friends.
The only problem I have with the film is the same problem I have with straight versions of this kind of story. How likely is it that people who appear to have such different interests and such volatile emotions will stay together... not to mention Tom's penchant for alcoholism. But then in "Pretty Woman" I just couldn't shake the feeling that this rich guy wouldn't stay with a prostitute long whether she looked like Julia Roberts or not.
Gay cinema has, thankfully, branched out from the early "Oh my God I'm gay I hate myself I can't let anyone find out" films like "Doing Time On Maple Drive." There is a place for gay cinema in every genre. And this film is in a definite class by itself in its genre.
Enjoy!
Great movie for the expanding Gay/Lesbian genre of movies
rdhowell7117 February 2003
This movie at least really doesn't play around with the gay stereotypes too much. I have seen some films that have went over the top with the stereotyping i.e. "Kiss Me, Guido". I know how the mannerisms are inside the Gay/Lesbian culture, but still a film can be funny and not go over the top.
"All Over The Guy" does just this and gives you a healthy dose of laughter. This film reminds me of the movie, "The Opposite of Sex". I give "All Over The Guy" two thumbs up for showing gays in a positive light. I recommend both movies to anyone gay or straight.
"All Over The Guy" does just this and gives you a healthy dose of laughter. This film reminds me of the movie, "The Opposite of Sex". I give "All Over The Guy" two thumbs up for showing gays in a positive light. I recommend both movies to anyone gay or straight.
"All's I know is..." it's right on the mark!
hippiedj28 April 2002
I've been expressing my distaste of so many gay-themed films to so many friends about how the films portray the men as stereotypical, young, pretty, and FABulous. And worse yet, always throwing in the obligatory drag queen. With the current trend of fantasy lesbianism, the gals are hot and act like everyday people but the gay males are kept in a lower level of being effeminate and weak. This of course is because heterosexual males only feel safe if the gay men aren't portrayed as masculine (that's why so many of the straight guys are terrified of Cruising, seeking comfort in the delusions of The Man Show and Howard Stern).
All Over The Guy is a film that breaks the barriers and focuses on issues of intimacy and finding ways to communicate -- and it's a big shame it didn't get the major distribution it deserves as it is right on the mark and so much more enjoyable than the endless line of circuit boy romances being released. Yes, there is a LOT of bickering and arguing going on between all the characters in this film, and that may become tiresome and turn some viewers off. But when you really listen to what they say, understand their backgrounds, and realize that this is the kind of thing that really does occur between friends everyday, it makes for fascinating entertainment. The dialogue is sharp and quick and not in the campy way, but in the way that friends who know each other can convey in codes and gestures without a lot of extra narration. This film is chock full of HONEST dialogue. I know some will compare this to an R-rated type of Will & Grace, but the big difference here is the characters in All Over The Guy are very real and have much more dimension than the sitcom offers. It doesn't dwell on stereotypes for laughs, and even in a speach by Richard Ruccolo about the film In & Out was one the TRUEST things I've ever heard about Hollywood and how mainstream "gay" films are so horrible. His character Tom is actually a bit rough around the edges and is refreshing because he's not portrayed as a youth obsessed club type. Dan Bucatinsky's character of Eli may be well groomed, but he isn't snapping his fingers and saying "girlfriend" ...these guys are just regular men, and it is comforting to know that someone out there knows the truth that many gay men are just as average as most people. Besides, Eli loved Planet Of The Apes memorabilia and that's a nice change from the usual cliched obsessions . I have always thought Adam Goldberg was a cool actor, and his involvement as Jackie's love interest was wonderful, as was Sasha Alexander as Jackie -- I sure wish I had her as a friend! Good moments from Christina Ricci, and Doris Roberts was perfect (wow, can she cuss too!). I just wish Lisa Kudrow was given a little more to do! Joana Kerns was a nice surprise and as always, I WORSHIP the ground Andrea Martin walks on, she's one of the funniest women around.
It's one of the only films I've seen that touches on issues that I've been trying to get so many people to understand: how so many assume gay men are only looking for quick sex and that when you get two guys together, it is assumed that one certain type of sexual act will occur. All Over The Guy discusses definitions of sex and the importance of intimacy and it's refreshing to see it handled in a manner that doesn't come across as preaching.
For me, I was extremely impressed by the choice of music. Instead of diva tunes from Cher and others like that (gawd, we don't all listen to Streisand or the latest flavor of the month "Destiny's Child" type group), there are very good rock songs by David Gray, The Jayhawks, Matthew Sweet and others that help keep the story grounded in reality. Even the club-type "Future Love" tune during one scene was more akin to a B-52's song than the fluff that saturates Queer As Folk's soundtrack.
It gives me great hope when I see a breakthrough film like All Over The Guy. It's for everyone, as this is not exclusively a "gay" film. I just hope that other film makers will see this one and learn that you don't have to make a flamboyant dragfest or youth worship type of film in order to involve a gay element. This is impressive filmmaking and funny, funny stuff!
And don't forget about Joan Van Ark in "Not Without My Nosejob" (wink wink)!
All Over The Guy is a film that breaks the barriers and focuses on issues of intimacy and finding ways to communicate -- and it's a big shame it didn't get the major distribution it deserves as it is right on the mark and so much more enjoyable than the endless line of circuit boy romances being released. Yes, there is a LOT of bickering and arguing going on between all the characters in this film, and that may become tiresome and turn some viewers off. But when you really listen to what they say, understand their backgrounds, and realize that this is the kind of thing that really does occur between friends everyday, it makes for fascinating entertainment. The dialogue is sharp and quick and not in the campy way, but in the way that friends who know each other can convey in codes and gestures without a lot of extra narration. This film is chock full of HONEST dialogue. I know some will compare this to an R-rated type of Will & Grace, but the big difference here is the characters in All Over The Guy are very real and have much more dimension than the sitcom offers. It doesn't dwell on stereotypes for laughs, and even in a speach by Richard Ruccolo about the film In & Out was one the TRUEST things I've ever heard about Hollywood and how mainstream "gay" films are so horrible. His character Tom is actually a bit rough around the edges and is refreshing because he's not portrayed as a youth obsessed club type. Dan Bucatinsky's character of Eli may be well groomed, but he isn't snapping his fingers and saying "girlfriend" ...these guys are just regular men, and it is comforting to know that someone out there knows the truth that many gay men are just as average as most people. Besides, Eli loved Planet Of The Apes memorabilia and that's a nice change from the usual cliched obsessions . I have always thought Adam Goldberg was a cool actor, and his involvement as Jackie's love interest was wonderful, as was Sasha Alexander as Jackie -- I sure wish I had her as a friend! Good moments from Christina Ricci, and Doris Roberts was perfect (wow, can she cuss too!). I just wish Lisa Kudrow was given a little more to do! Joana Kerns was a nice surprise and as always, I WORSHIP the ground Andrea Martin walks on, she's one of the funniest women around.
It's one of the only films I've seen that touches on issues that I've been trying to get so many people to understand: how so many assume gay men are only looking for quick sex and that when you get two guys together, it is assumed that one certain type of sexual act will occur. All Over The Guy discusses definitions of sex and the importance of intimacy and it's refreshing to see it handled in a manner that doesn't come across as preaching.
For me, I was extremely impressed by the choice of music. Instead of diva tunes from Cher and others like that (gawd, we don't all listen to Streisand or the latest flavor of the month "Destiny's Child" type group), there are very good rock songs by David Gray, The Jayhawks, Matthew Sweet and others that help keep the story grounded in reality. Even the club-type "Future Love" tune during one scene was more akin to a B-52's song than the fluff that saturates Queer As Folk's soundtrack.
It gives me great hope when I see a breakthrough film like All Over The Guy. It's for everyone, as this is not exclusively a "gay" film. I just hope that other film makers will see this one and learn that you don't have to make a flamboyant dragfest or youth worship type of film in order to involve a gay element. This is impressive filmmaking and funny, funny stuff!
And don't forget about Joan Van Ark in "Not Without My Nosejob" (wink wink)!
Better conceptually than cinematically.
rikb00025 October 2002
All Over the Guy is a better movie for what it isn't than for what it is. What it is is a fairly standard romantic comedy. The dialogue is sometimes brilliant, but the plot lacks structure. There are at least three pointless montages backed with music far more poignant and less cliched than the actual images, and one can't help but conclude that they were concocted to fill out the script.
On the other hand, the handling of the central gay relationship in the movie is refreshingly free of gay stereotypes. Oh, there are plenty of romantic comedy stereotypes, but I can hardly overemphasize how important this was to me as a gay man in viewing the film. Finally, a movie about a gay relationship that doesn't include any disco music, not a single gay bar scene, no quirky nelly "girlfriend," and where blatant emotional disregard for one's sexual partners is actually seen as a problem rather than an ambivalently accepted community standard. Of course, the cynic in me says that it's just because the gay relationship was adapted from a straight relationship in the play, but at the risk of horrifying my peers, I'd say maybe more screenwriters should use that technique when writing gay relationships. All's I know is that the result was that the romance felt closer to my own experience, and consequently more sympathetic and more true than 99% of the tarted up, histrionically dramatic gay relationships in popular media.
On the other hand, the handling of the central gay relationship in the movie is refreshingly free of gay stereotypes. Oh, there are plenty of romantic comedy stereotypes, but I can hardly overemphasize how important this was to me as a gay man in viewing the film. Finally, a movie about a gay relationship that doesn't include any disco music, not a single gay bar scene, no quirky nelly "girlfriend," and where blatant emotional disregard for one's sexual partners is actually seen as a problem rather than an ambivalently accepted community standard. Of course, the cynic in me says that it's just because the gay relationship was adapted from a straight relationship in the play, but at the risk of horrifying my peers, I'd say maybe more screenwriters should use that technique when writing gay relationships. All's I know is that the result was that the romance felt closer to my own experience, and consequently more sympathetic and more true than 99% of the tarted up, histrionically dramatic gay relationships in popular media.
Masochistic Freak Show SPOILER
splurben18 November 2004
Warning: Spoilers
Why would a person go back to a person, who kicks them in the teeth, not once, not twice, but over and over again.
This film teaches us that in order to find love we must accept abuse (not just forgive it, but fully accept it). Gosh! No wonder my first relationship only lasted ten years. I obviously wasn't embracing my inner masochist.
As Bucatinsky's writing debut, there are many wonderful aspects to this film; however, in order to justify the reunion of Eli and Tom, more character development would have been helpful. We are never acquainted with Eli's masochism, in fact, we are led to believe that he is not a masochist, although Tom's psycho-emotional sadism is highly evident.
This film teaches us that in order to find love we must accept abuse (not just forgive it, but fully accept it). Gosh! No wonder my first relationship only lasted ten years. I obviously wasn't embracing my inner masochist.
As Bucatinsky's writing debut, there are many wonderful aspects to this film; however, in order to justify the reunion of Eli and Tom, more character development would have been helpful. We are never acquainted with Eli's masochism, in fact, we are led to believe that he is not a masochist, although Tom's psycho-emotional sadism is highly evident.
Lovely, joyful film for both gay and straight
pyotr-324 August 2001
I don't think I have ever seen a lovelier film than this. It is a complex and wonderful story of 4 friends, and it includes a seldom-seen-in-films friendship between a straight man and a gay man which was very real and very wonderful to see.
The romance between the straight characters is less interesting than that of the two gay men, however, because the two gay men come from such different worlds: one is an alcoholic WASP with alcoholic parents and the other is the son of hyper-analytical Jewish psychiatrists. The road to romance for the men is more difficult, but ultimately more rewarding and beautiful to see.
All of the characters are likeable and interesting people. It is a great date movie... a terrific feel-good movie. Everyone leaves the theatre feeling good at the end of this one. My thanks to all involved in making this lovely film. We need more like it.
The romance between the straight characters is less interesting than that of the two gay men, however, because the two gay men come from such different worlds: one is an alcoholic WASP with alcoholic parents and the other is the son of hyper-analytical Jewish psychiatrists. The road to romance for the men is more difficult, but ultimately more rewarding and beautiful to see.
All of the characters are likeable and interesting people. It is a great date movie... a terrific feel-good movie. Everyone leaves the theatre feeling good at the end of this one. My thanks to all involved in making this lovely film. We need more like it.
Pleasant, but average
Meredith-719 October 2003
This is a fairly pleasant film. It's not shockingly bad, but it's not fantastic either - it's middle of the road. There are some funny one-liners, but overall the film is instantly forgettable. Some of the characters are not overly convincing, and some of the cameos (esp Lisa Kudrow) seem to be a bit forced & unnecessary. Watch it only if you have nothing else to do - but, remember that this is not one of the best films of it's kind - it's just really average.
No chemistry
chrisatthemovies30 May 2002
I thought this was a truly awful film--I found myself actually yelling at my tv a couple times. One or both of the gay male leads was miscast; there was absolutely no chemistry between them and Richard Ruccolo looked like he'd rather be kissing a dog. The movie covers their long and tortured courtship, highlighting each break-up and make-up, but not developing the reasons in-between in any detail. These reasons would make for some interesting characters, not the fight or the make-up scene in bed (lame even if you liked the movie).
Andrea Martin and Adam Goldberg shine as their characters, but it doesn't make the film worth renting. Save your money.
Andrea Martin and Adam Goldberg shine as their characters, but it doesn't make the film worth renting. Save your money.
Good addition to a growing genre.
paulcreeden4 May 2001
I saw this film last evening at its premier in Boston at our Museum of Fine Arts. It is a well told story, set in a gay context. It is entertaining and has guts to it. It is a good addition to a growing genre of films, which deal with human issues about relationships in a gay/lesbian/bisexual context. The film's writer/leading actor, Dan Bucatinsky, was at the screening. He explained that the film is actually a screenplay version of his own play, which was produced in Los Angeles. The original play was not written in a gay context. The translation works and, as Bucatinsky shared at the screening, it actually expands his work in ways that he found quite fulfilling as a writer/actor. The film's pallet is much lighter than the recent "Urbania", but its themes are just as powerfully portrayed. It is not as goofy as "The Opposite of Sex" (written by this film's Executive Producer, Don Roos), but it has a lot of great laughs. The acting is evenly engaging, with cameo appearances by well known actors. I have intentionally omitted a plot summary. This is a project of love on a small budget. I think anyone who reads this comment can be guaranteed a good film and should go an see it to experience its warmth, humor and intelligence about people in love.
Amusing gay romance comedy but unreal!!!
ohlabtechguy15 December 2018
Acting, production values and script are all good enough, but the storyline is quite unbelievable. We are supposed to believe that when two people meet on a blind date, and clash from the beginning, that they are going to end up as mates regardless. Chances of this happening are zilch to none. Won't even be a second date, much less a relationship. But not only do these two gay fellows go on a second outing and start clashing yet again, but they end up in bed. Movie is based on this false premise that immediate impressions don't matter in the end. Other than that, the leads are attractive enough to hold the eye and they know how to act.
What the hell is happening?
barbarella7027 November 2002
Are you kidding me? I've read the external reviews as well as the user comments and I'm truly shocked. Seeing words like "brilliant", "breakthrough", and "intelligent" used to describe this movie is as discouraging as realizing that Pauline Kael is no longer around to provide us with a delicious rant against trash like this. Now I like my trash as much as the next guy, but trash that takes itself seriously is insulting and deserving of criticism. For the record, I whooped when some poor soul actually wrote that this film "breaks barriers". Now, this movie isn't offensive,low class trash like One Night at McCool's but it comes close in it's own way. After a string of neutered, mall-friendly, mainstream coddling movies like this, Broken Hearts Club, Kiss Me Guido, Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss, etc.(Note: I did not mention In&Out but more on that later) I ask how much more are we supposed to take? Accepting that these films are (God help us) positive, politically correct representations lowers the bar and makes one no better than those who made Jackass number one at the box office and keep the Star Wars series alive and thriving. The plot and characters have been discussed at length in other reviews and there's nothing new I could add. Except this: Adam Goldberg was not the most annoying thing about it. His mumbling, neurotic mannerisms are always his own and never his characters and I would like to add that Woody Allen has been doing this act for over 40 years but Mr. Goldberg was not the worst thing. I'm not sure what was really. The montages in which the filmmaker's attempted to capture the characters melancolia while elevator music played was a hoot. By the time the infamous Fuzzy Wuzzy argument hit the screen, I wanted to as well. Come to think of it, there's nothing in this movie that hasn't been said a million times before, only with more intelligence and wit. Which brings me to the In&Out slam. Paul Rudnick is a gifted, funny writer, a sort of David Sedaris without the bitter edge and even though his Jeffrey is dated and In&Out is innocuous (like Romy & Michelle, Trick, or 9 to 5) his style, humor, and intelligence far surpass Dan Bucatinsky's sitcom observations and setups. If this is based on his life, good for him. He turned his pain into a movie and got it made. Cheers! However, it's a bad movie. Bland characters, jaw droppingly bad dialogue, pointless cameos, actors who chose the wrong profession, it's all here and waiting to be rented. One reviewer commented on the music saying it was refreshing not to hear Cher or music like "those mainstream gay movies". I would like to point out that while it's true the musical selection doesn't necessarily play that game, it does something worse. It caters to mainstream America not just it's gay culture. These songs try to give off a universal feeling and all that crap. Oh how I long for the good 'ol days when we were portrayed as serial killers and flamboyant queens.
If it's wit you're looking for then read Oscar Wilde or The Rise and Fall of Gay Culture. If you want to rent something, check out Tales from the City, Parting Glances, or Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and pretend all four leads are men. If you want to see what true love really is then get a copy of The Brink of Summer's End-if no one knows about Paul Monette, you should. If the thought of leaving your house is inconceivable, get cable and start watching Six Feet Under. A Reminder: this was just my opinion. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
If it's wit you're looking for then read Oscar Wilde or The Rise and Fall of Gay Culture. If you want to rent something, check out Tales from the City, Parting Glances, or Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and pretend all four leads are men. If you want to see what true love really is then get a copy of The Brink of Summer's End-if no one knows about Paul Monette, you should. If the thought of leaving your house is inconceivable, get cable and start watching Six Feet Under. A Reminder: this was just my opinion. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Hey, it worked for me!
redoubtable16 August 2002
Well, I wonder: if it had been about two male/female couples (as the play it was based on was), would "All Over the Guy" have gotten such a critical reception? More likely it would've been seen as an honorable, at times sparkling, addition to the screen tradition of romantic comedies -- which is what I think it is. Sure, the characters are wildly neurotic and frequently annoying; so are people in real life, especially when they're in love. Is it distracting that Richard Ruccolo (who does indeed give an exquisitely tuned performance) is so good-looking? Actually, I thought it was necessary; Tom is so screwed up that we need the physical beauty to help relate to him. Do the women steal the movie? Well, with the likes of Andrea Martin, Lisa Kudrow, Christina Ricci and Doris Roberts in support, what do you think -- and how can you lose, especially since Dan Bucatinsky's script is so frequently sharp?
Forget the nay-sayers and see this one. It's a very good romantic comedy, at times maybe even a great one.
Forget the nay-sayers and see this one. It's a very good romantic comedy, at times maybe even a great one.
High production values and appealing characters, but too many cliches
ken-24324 August 2001
I was very impressed by the quality of this film. The cinematography, lighting, and makeup are well above par for the
gay-themed romantic comedy genre. One review poster here
suggested this genre is now "glutted," but with only one big feature
every summer, I would hardly call that a glut. Despite the
outstanding production values, I'm not as enthusiastic about the
film as past summer hits of the genre such as "Trick," "Defying
Gravity," "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss," and "Broken Heart's
Club." All of those films had the good sense to avoid two of the
most weary gay story line cliches: fear of AIDS and dysfunctional
families. And as other's have noted, the script is peppered with
these other threadbare icons of the "lifestyle." The movie also
suffers from the unhappy trend to score with popular music rather
than traditional orchestral "movie music." Can you imagine a film
like "JAWS" or "Star Wars" with pop-rock music? Laughable.
Despite its many weaknesses, I found the films characters likable
and the "odd couple" paring provided enough dramatic tension to
keep it interesting. Also on the plus side, we were spared the
obligatory drag queen scenes that tend to pop up in these films.
And a happy ending for the gay characters is another trend I hope
will stick for films that follow.
gay-themed romantic comedy genre. One review poster here
suggested this genre is now "glutted," but with only one big feature
every summer, I would hardly call that a glut. Despite the
outstanding production values, I'm not as enthusiastic about the
film as past summer hits of the genre such as "Trick," "Defying
Gravity," "Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss," and "Broken Heart's
Club." All of those films had the good sense to avoid two of the
most weary gay story line cliches: fear of AIDS and dysfunctional
families. And as other's have noted, the script is peppered with
these other threadbare icons of the "lifestyle." The movie also
suffers from the unhappy trend to score with popular music rather
than traditional orchestral "movie music." Can you imagine a film
like "JAWS" or "Star Wars" with pop-rock music? Laughable.
Despite its many weaknesses, I found the films characters likable
and the "odd couple" paring provided enough dramatic tension to
keep it interesting. Also on the plus side, we were spared the
obligatory drag queen scenes that tend to pop up in these films.
And a happy ending for the gay characters is another trend I hope
will stick for films that follow.
One of the few good movies of the Summer of 2001
cooper-2918 August 2001
How did this movie get maid and released? It has character
development, no car crashes, dinosaurs or Aliens to bring in the
big bucks. Wonderful movie about normal people who, straight and gay, their
friendships, relationships and their lives. This has been a really bad Summer for movies and the good
movies worth watching are far and few between. I liked the characters, I liked the witty dialoge and the Actors were
very enjoyable. Lisa Kudrow shows up in a bit part, Doris Roberts
and Andrea Martin (one of my favorites) and Christina Ricci. They
are all supporting to the main characters.
Check this one out. A good movie to help wash out the taste of all
those empty Blockbusters of the Summer.
development, no car crashes, dinosaurs or Aliens to bring in the
big bucks. Wonderful movie about normal people who, straight and gay, their
friendships, relationships and their lives. This has been a really bad Summer for movies and the good
movies worth watching are far and few between. I liked the characters, I liked the witty dialoge and the Actors were
very enjoyable. Lisa Kudrow shows up in a bit part, Doris Roberts
and Andrea Martin (one of my favorites) and Christina Ricci. They
are all supporting to the main characters.
Check this one out. A good movie to help wash out the taste of all
those empty Blockbusters of the Summer.
Pretty Believable
thurberdrawing11 May 2007
While I'm not saying this movie is realistic (I don't think most movies are) I will say I found it emotionally honest. This movie is rare in another sense. It involves people who know how to use wit. Very few movies show people who are consciously funny and even fewer pull it off. ALL OVER THE GUY surprised me. I was expecting a feel-good film with some slapstick, but what I got was a comedy with some thought. It is closer to a feel-good film than high drama, but it's not a lie, which most feel-good films are. The acting would lift any script, but the script is really good anyway. The DVD I saw had a commentary track with the director, the writer/star and the editor and, as with the movie itself, the commentary track gave me a chance to listen to people who know how to make a point.
Bland and unbelievable
filmmekker8 April 2005
There should be a law passed that says the United States can't make gay films. Leave that task to Great Britain and the rest of Europe. While this film wasn't the worst film ever made-I didn't turn it off-it's really lackluster. I'm surprised at the number of glowing reviews here but it seems like most of reviewers liked it for political reasons, like they appreciate this kind of film was made and support that idea. The central problem for me was i didn't believe for a second the 2 gay leads would be together, specifically that Ruccolo would give Bucatinski the time of day. The only realistic scene in the film is the disastrous 1st date between the 2. The rest of the film where they fight, reconcile, argue, make up, fight and fall in love, only made sense when I discovered that Bucatinski wrote it. He would have you believe Ruccolo's choices were limited strictly to abusive losers or himself. I just didn't care.
Be smart and go watch this movie right now!
ALAF16 May 2005
The characters are so full of life that in the end of the movie we have that urge to know what happened in the day after. That's how embracing this movie is. People will always be people when the subject is relationship. No matter each ones' preferences are. This movie definitely should become a sitcom. A good one, by the way. The dialogs and scenes edition are so full of rhythm that we barely blink an eye. Chemistry is the best word to define the exuberance of acting that the actors and actresses provided to us. A fun movie. Total entertainment with no aggression to the intelligence of people with good sense. Can a movie be more like LIFE itself than this one? Still waiting.
Cliched storyline overcome by great acting and dialogue
pebsdad26 May 2001
Another in the welcome trend of gay-themed romantic comedies, although the genre, gay or straight, rarely has anything new to offer. This movie is another contrived and cliched-ending fluff piece but it succeeds better than most with great supporting acting and snappy, one-liner filled dialogue. The two main actors are good, especially Richard Ruccolo from "Two Guys and a Girl", but the standout performance comes from Sasha Alexander as the "best friend". Rarely have I seen a more sparkling, scene-stealing face and performance than this...she's as natural an actress as one could hope to cast in their film. The dialogue comes a little too fast at times...your laughing and Adam Goldberg's much too fast delivery covers much of the terrific script, but the movie is worth your ticket price for the large cameo performances by Lisa Kudrow and especially Doris Roberts as the STD clinic receptionist. Hearing one of our best comedic stateswomen unload a barage of 4 letter words has never been funnier, and many have tried and failed.
Worst Gay Movie Of All Time!
maxmik10 February 2003
Easily the worst gay movie ever - totally off putting characters that you don't want to spend ten minutes with let alone two hours. Zero chemistry & lots of really bad dialogue. Human beings do not talk about Fuzzy Wuzzy and grown people do not spend their time looking for dolls to play with. Well OK they do but then they are not really grown up - are they?
A Terrific Crowd-Pleasing Gay Comedy
JimCarl0120 May 2001
ALL OVER THE GUY (AOTG) is one of the better, funnier and more crowd-pleasing independent titles to be released via an American distributor in 2001. As a film festival programmer who's viewed more than 300 submitted movies in the past year, AOTG ranks up there with the best of them in the "gay comedy" genre, and which should appeal to the majority of "straight" movie-goers, too. It's a "feel-good" date movie, well-directed and exceptionally well-acted (particularly Richard Rucollo, in a role that's a far departure from his former TWO GUYS AND A GIRL TV-Series persona), which deserves to become a break-out hit during its theatrical run. Featuring guest cameos by Lisa Kudrow, Christina Ricci and Doris Roberts, AOTG is foremost a comedic love story between two twenty-something men in search of "the one." And more impressively, a film whose light tone, upbeat score and clever one-liners are a welcome departure from this year's crop of "brooding and complex gay issues" movies which are currently circulating the cineplexes and festivals. Make no mistake: This film is pure entertainment for entertainment's sake, much in the same vein as I THINK I DO, RELAX...IT'S JUST SEX and BIG EDEN. And sometimes, if it's this well done, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.
A charming little film
limau20 May 2006
This is a story about Eli and Tom, who met, fell in love, discovered that they have issues with each other, thus setting up the standard will-they-or-won't-they-live-happily-ever-after romantic comedy scenario, except that in this case it is about two men. There are many things to recommend this film, a good script, the reasonably good acting (for the most part, not sure about Dan Bucatinsky), characters that you might care about, the gentle comedy, but above all, a good heart.
A number of things fail this movie however. The main thing being that Dan Bucatinsky is not convincing as a romantic lead, a wiser writer would not have cast himself as the lead. While it is obvious that for Eli it is love at first sight (or rather when he first looked into Tom's eyes), it's hard to tell what Tom sees in Eli. There is a good reason why the leads in romantic films are generally attractive people (and Richard Ruccolo is good looking), and it is to stop us asking this awkward question. The direction is somewhat patchy, with some strange changes of tone - for example, after the Tom's AA meeting and what seems to be setting up of a possible rape scene but which is then quickly dropped and then just some vague reference to getting beaten (why is the scene there anyway if the director is afraid of dealing with its full ramifications?).
I love, however, the last scenes between them, touching and beautifully done. Overall, it is, if we can ignore the fact that it is also that rare thing of a romantic comedy film about two men, an above average film.
Just one last word - to the guy who threw in a gratuitous comment about Brokeback Mountain, we don't know if Jack was murdered, it is all in Ennis' imagination and set out to be deliberately ambiguous. I do wish IMDb has a policy of disallowing from reviewing those who do not have the cognitive and reasoning capabilities better than those of a fly.
A number of things fail this movie however. The main thing being that Dan Bucatinsky is not convincing as a romantic lead, a wiser writer would not have cast himself as the lead. While it is obvious that for Eli it is love at first sight (or rather when he first looked into Tom's eyes), it's hard to tell what Tom sees in Eli. There is a good reason why the leads in romantic films are generally attractive people (and Richard Ruccolo is good looking), and it is to stop us asking this awkward question. The direction is somewhat patchy, with some strange changes of tone - for example, after the Tom's AA meeting and what seems to be setting up of a possible rape scene but which is then quickly dropped and then just some vague reference to getting beaten (why is the scene there anyway if the director is afraid of dealing with its full ramifications?).
I love, however, the last scenes between them, touching and beautifully done. Overall, it is, if we can ignore the fact that it is also that rare thing of a romantic comedy film about two men, an above average film.
Just one last word - to the guy who threw in a gratuitous comment about Brokeback Mountain, we don't know if Jack was murdered, it is all in Ennis' imagination and set out to be deliberately ambiguous. I do wish IMDb has a policy of disallowing from reviewing those who do not have the cognitive and reasoning capabilities better than those of a fly.
What some people think is good and funny... I'll never get it.
deloudelouvain18 December 2019
When I read the first page of reviews I have to come to the conclusion that I have a terrible sense of humor or maybe it's just all the others that don't need much to giggle. All Over The Guy is supposed to be a comedy, a romcom, but there is actually almost nothing funny about this movie. The only funny parts is where Andrea Martin and Tony Abatemarco appear, but unfortunately they only had like two minutes of screen time. The whole story is so boring, it's just a repetitive nonsense about two gays that can't decide if they love eachother or not. I have nothing against gays, on the contrary, but watching that kind of boring and stupid nine year old behavior from two grown up men is just anything but funny. Did I hate this movie? Yes I did, no doubt about that.
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