Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Brad Rowe, Matthew Ashford, Meredith Scott Lynn, Richard Ganoung, Sean HayesBrand: Lions Gate
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: Spanish (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 92 minutes
DVD Release Date: 1998-12-22
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
Movie Reviews of Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
Movie Review: Tommy's Hollywood Screen Gem
Summary: 5 Stars
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss (BHKS) is a movie that deals with the ubiquitous gay theme of unrequited love. Most gay men will identify with falling in love with someone and for whatever reason that person turns out to be Mr Wrong.This is the theme that BHKS handles extremely well.Billy (played by Will and Grace's Sean Hayes) is an out of work LA based photographer with a perchant for polariods who falls for an out of work bass player and current waiter Gabriel (Brad Rowe). The problem is that Billy is uncertain which way Gabriel 'swings', and Gabriel doesn't seem to be able to provide any answers himself. Is he or isn't he??? And if he is, why isn't he interested in Billy????
We never truely get the answer to those questions, but the journey we travel with Billy and Gabriel brings up some lovely (and some confronting) themes that gay men everywhere can relate too.
When the film first starts you know you're in for a treat - stills of polariod photographs are used to illustrate various storyline movements and Billy's dream sequences are nothing short of brilliant - drag queens miming beautiful songs such as 'This is my song' by Petula Clark provide the backdrop for those dream sequences, with Billy and Gabriel interacting in a tender, romantic way that is reminiscent of the MGM musicals of yesteryear.
Speaking of the MGM musical influence, BHSK does not exactly imitate those movies, but rather takes elements from them to create something truely unique - right down to the musical sequences and the bold, bright colours used in the sets of the movie.
For those who are only familar with Sean Hayes as 'Jack' on Will and Grace are in for a complete surprise. He has the wonderful ability to show the disappointed that comes with unrequited love in a very effective and subtle way. He really is a good actor and hopefully we will see more of him in future film roles.
A special mention needs to made of the opening title sequence - this alone is worthy of an oscar!!! It is a very funny drag queen sequence that immediately gives the film a vibrant, original feel.
The DVD itself has the movie plus a trailer and a promo for the soundtrack. The only other extra is the audio commentary by the director Tommy O'Haver. Tommy is very entertaining on the commentary and provides us with an indepth discussion of making a film on a low budget. Hopefully we will be seeing more quality film from Tommy in the future.
BHSK is a lovely little movie that deals with the often traumatic theme of unrequited love in the gay world. Though the ending isn't exactly upbeat, we are left with a positive feeling of true love being just around the corner. It may not be to everyone's liking, but if you like arthouse movies that stir the emotions and leave you with a positive glow, make sure you watch BHSK.
Summary of Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
BILLY'S HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS - DVD MovieFirst-time director Tommy O'Haver garnered a lot of critical acclaim for this contribution to the "new queer cinema." But he seems more clued in as to its weight than the reviewers. O'Haver rightly calls Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss a Tommy O'Haver "trifle" in the credits and he's on the money in estimating what his film is worth. For sure, the movie has much going for it; it's wholeheartedly enjoyable and packed with the usual dynamic that saturates most gay-themed films: what does one do when that object of desire is heterosexual? In this case O'Haver at least gives his protagonist, Billy, played by Sean P. Hayes, another obsession besides the Brad Pitt-lookalike, prophetically named Gabriel, who is enigmatically acted by Brad Rowe. This is because Billy is a photographer, as addicted to finding the perfect picture as the perfect man. His world is formed by old movies: From Here to Eternity and Imitation of Life are his criteria and the flirty foreplay by which to gauge whether or not a love will have stamina and staying power. Of course, Billy is bound to be disappointed by gay-friendly Gabriel, who is struggling in his own way as much as Billy. Full of the usual mix of second-string players who inhabit the gay milieu (e.g., the best female friend who has man trouble of her own, and the older, secure pal who has secretly held Billy in his sights for some time), O'Haver's film breaks the mold by keeping to a dark note. It resembles a Pedro Almodovar spectacle initially with its saturated look and primary-color palette. But three-fourths through, Billy and his gang walk into the contemporary gay equivalent of a Gidget movie. The shift is surprising and even sometimes funny. Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss has a lot going for it, but it's still just a trifle, and not a milestone in the genre. --Paula Nechak
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