The Broken Hearts Club
|
List Price: Our Price: $12.66 You Save: $7.33 (37%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $6.75 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of The Broken Hearts Club
Movie Review: A gay film version of Friends
Summary: 5 Stars
In some ways, this film reminded me of the sit-com "Friends" when I first watched it. It does have some significant differences, but it still centers on a group of people who are variously in and out of relationships with each other and outsiders, some of whom make it into the group, and others of whom do not.
One of the leading characters is Dennis, who is having a mid-life crisis of a sort, not quite sure he wants to continue the pick-up life, and not sure he can continue it given his advancing age. This is driven home by the situation of his birthday party, in which he finds an attraction to J. Crew Guy, a nickname invented by his friends to keep people from having to remember names. Cole, the "star" of the group of friends, has invited his own catch to the party, and the rest of the friends are seething with jealousy.
There are lots of wonderful little scenes and bit pieces here. Most of the friends go to the same hairdresser or stylist, and pour their hearts out to her while having their hair cut. There is a wonderful montage of clips of the various friends getting their hair cut, all talking to each other, save one man who goes to an actual therapist, and complains near the end that the rest of his friends get their hair cut while doing this.
The friends center on a particular restaurant, owned by Jack, played by John Mahoney (Frasier's father in the sit-com "Frasier"). Jack also sponsors a softball team, on which all of the friends play. Jack is a long-term partner of a man only really known as "purple guy", because he always dressed in purple. Jack suffers a heart-attack, and the friends become much more enlightened about the value of friendship, relationships, and permanent attachments in an often changing and unpredictable world.
I identified most with the character is Patrick, the "less attractive" friend. At one point he describes his frustration living in southern California as the gay community is a bunch of 10s all looking for an 11, and if the light is dim enough and the guy is drunk enough, he (Patrick) might pass for a 7. I know the feeling very well.
One review I read of this film said that it is the first film since "Boys in the Band," put out in 1970, to feature every character in the film as a gay person. I hadn't thought about that the first time I watched the film, but it is true. There are no straight people here as major or even minor characters, only the occasional bit player, like the team members of the Hollywood Firefighter's softball team, who are not only better than the restaurant's team, but also a physical distraction, according to one team member.
Each of the characters represents a different sort of gay person - Dennis is the artistic, brooding sort; Cole is the wannabe actor, a bit too good looking for his own good; Kevin is the just-coming-out and not really ready to admit he's gay person; Benji is the always looking in the wrong place for love person, who gets involved a bit in drug use near the end. Howie is the mixed up, wants a commitment but cannot commit person. Finally, Patrick (my role model) is the not-quite-that-goodlooking, good friend but always single kind of guy. Jack and Purple Guy are the long-term, older couple who both father/mother the group, and model another way of being. Of course, that all assumes that you can find a partner who will last.
You will also get introduced to the phrase OGT - Obviously Gay Trait. For example, liking the music group The Carpenters is an OGT. Liking theater and Broadway musicals is an OGT. And so forth. There's just a bit of Carpenters' music around, too.
This is a very interesting film, and one that resonated with me in many ways.
Movie Review: "The Gay Version of "Sex and the City""
Summary: 5 Stars
Way before "Queer as Folk" debut, this little independent filmed found its way into movie theatres and into the hearts of millions. "The Broken Hearts Club" is about a bunch of gay men, living in the Westwood area of Los Angeles, which is the city's gay district. The characters range in age from their early '20's to their late '50's, and anyone who watches this film can relate to at least one of the characters. We see stories of guys trying to find that special relationship with Mr. Right, guys having problems while having a relationship, and we even see a story of a gay man who may give his sperm to a lesbian couple; I have to wonder if that story actually persuaded the writers of "Queer as Folk" to do a similar story with Brian. Anyhow, "The Broken Hearts Club" is really one of the best gay themed films ever, with superb acting, directing, and writing. Dean Cain, who plays the promiscuos stud in the piece, steals the film. His good looks and demeanor are really intense, and we can see why men would fall for him. In this movie two types of gays are portrayed; the ones who want a relationship, and those who are contented in living their lives alone, albeit with a good sex life. What ties the men together is their genuine friendship for one another, as we see their love for each other is what binds them. I look at "The Broken Hearts Club" as the gay "Sex and the City", where friends would do anything for one another.
This is a great piece of cinema and I would recommend it highly to anyone who wants to watch a film with integrity and intelligence. I only wish more films of this calliber were being produced in Hollywood.
The DVD features commentary by the ditrector and producer, there are deleted scenes added, and the original trailer is included.
Critic Jami Bernard, from the New York Daily Times, says..."new ground is broken by "The Broken Hearts Club". The first mainstream gay movie...".
Movie Review: For those who have a heart!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie in the theater and found myself at an age that I can not relate to any characters. I recently bought this DVD to rediscover the charm that many of my friends say was so great. I had a different perspective this time! Breaking things down to categories, most of my gay friends were dissapointed because it was not a ... movie like most gay movies are. There was no pornography that is usual in most gay films. Most of my straight friends(male & female) loved it! It has substance with a storyline of humour and drama. I find the "not so positive" reviews of this movie to be symbolic of the romance in the gay world. Everyone is always looking over their dates shoulder for a perfect ahhh...match! The truth is this movie is only a segment in the life of and not the end all of everyone's life! It's down-to-earth approach is more appealing than that down-your-throat approach. The all-round feel of this movie reminds me of Steal Magnolias or Beaches which is not bad! It also has a sprinkle of Queer As Folk, but the good sprinkles! The issues touched in the movie were meant to be real and humourous and they are! For without this there would be no point in making a movie. You don't have to relate to all of these characters to understand the point of this movie! Each character stands on their own and I'm sure we can find something in everyone to relate to.
Movie Review: The one we've been waiting for
Summary: 5 Stars
Obviously this movie does not depict the experience of every gay man in America, no movie ever has or could do that. This movie does show a group of friends in LA dealing with life, love, and all the other stuff and having a fairly good time of it. It shows how life can be hard and lonely and confusing but as a people we tend to be able to pull together to see it through. The Carpenters "tragic happy song" analogy in the film is a good one.I think that people who find the film demeaning aren't paying careful attention. While the movie does show men sleeping around, being shallow, and having issues it does not glorify these pastimes. As a matter of fact it shows some of the troubles we encounte if we become too self obsessed or devisive or don't care who we hurt. The film doesn't pander to stereotypes it builds genuine characters. To call Taylor just a "loud bitchy black queen" as one poster did is to completely ignore about half of what the character goes through in the movie.
This is the gay buddy comedy we've been waiting for. It isn't just about some kid coming out or a quirky relationship or someone dying like we've had before but a nice blend of stories about a group of friends that a lot of us can relate to.
I just want to know how with all of the gay actors in Hollywood most of the guys in the film are staright, what is up with that?
Movie Review: I simply love this movie
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, first of all...I readily admit I am pitifully easy to entertain. Having said that, here is why this is my favorite gay movie, and right up there in probably the top 5 of all.
This movie does not preach. It doesn't have any deep social message or try to inspire you to action. Neither is it fluff. These are very believable characters trying to live their lives.
If you don't see someone you know (perhaps even yourself) in one or more of these characters, either you had the movie on but didn't watch it, or you need to get out more!
One of the opening sequences (where different customers in a store are asked to guess if one of the caracters is gay) is worth the price of the movie.
There are great moments in this film; two stand out for me: When Jack says something like "I think that makes us the strong ones", and in the final moments when the principal characer (sorry, I'm terrible at names!) says "I don't know when I realized I was gay, but I know when I realized it was okay...when I met these guys". (Even this may be a paraphrase).
This movie is more about celebrating friendships (warts and all)than anything else. If you watch and simply accept it for what it is, rather than what you or someone thinks it should have been... I think you will like it as well.