Another Gay Movie (DVD)

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When "American Pie"-the gross out teen sex comedy-debuted in 1999, it turned the genre on its ear. Not because of the subject matter, but because of the way it was presented. It was a no holds barred discussion about teen sexuality and all its various pitfalls. "Another Gay Movie" takes the idea to the next level. As the title suggests, this is a gay teen sex comedy in the same vein as "American Pie"…just much more graphic and raunchy.

Four guys on the verge of graduating high school make a pact for their final summer at home: to lose their virginity. As the token lesbian character says, having oral sex doesn´t take their virginity. They must have the other form of gay sex (which won´t be mentioned since this is a family publication). These kids try various methods to accomplish their singular goal and, in what is perhaps a scene-by-scene rip on "American Pie", often find themselves in situations wholly unrealistic.

Let´s say this first and foremost: "Another Gay Movie" is not for the squeamish. There are multiple depictions of gay sex, plenty of talk about virginity, bodily functions, stripping, fetishes and male genitalia. There is also an abundance of cursing and sexual dialogue. There is so much of this type of activity that the movie is available in two versions: the original uncut (and unrated) theatrical version and a censored version. According to the commentary track, the censored version was created for certain retail outlets. The original version will include the tag "Uncut Theatrical Version" on the bottom of the front cover. You have been warned.

Director/Writer/Producer Todd Stephens says this movie was created as an answer to the people who claimed his last picture ("Gypsy 83", released in 2001) was not nearly gay enough. His thought was to write the gayest movie ever made. "Another Gay Movie" is the result. Frankly, this just about as gay as movies get. Normally, this genre is relegated to one of three types of movies: 1) the gay romantic comedy (see "Adam & Steve"); 2) the tragic dying gay character (see "Longtime Companion"); or 3) the gay coming out story (Stephens own "Edge of Seventeen"). This movie doesn´t fall into any of those three subgenres. Instead, it takes what has historically been a heterosexual-dominated genre (the sex comedy) and flipped it on its ear. This is another example of gay characters being depicted on screen in roles normally reserved for their straight brethren.

All things being equal, "Another Gay Movie" is disgusting. No two ways about it. There is no major political agenda the script is trying to communicate. This isn´t an advocacy film. It´s a straight up sex comedy. It borrows quite heavily from a variety of sources, most notably "American Pie", but also from "Mommie Dearest", "Trick", "The Broken Hearts Club", "Carrie", "Beautiful Thing", "The Brady Bunch", "Edge of Seventeen" and "Gypsy 83". I´m sure I´m missing some references in there, but that´s comprehensive enough right now. It never gets preachy (very minor lines of dialogue regarding barebacking and the use of condoms notwithstanding). What is trying to do-but not consciously-is to bring the gay community more into the mainstream with a simple idea: if the straight film community can do this, why can´t we?

It´s hard to "review" "Another Gay Movie" as a serious film because it doesn´t take itself entirely seriously. I don´t want to classify it as camp, per se, but it comes awful close. Because of that, the faults and critical issues with the film need to be glossed over in favor of looking at the broad strokes created on the screen. Is this an accurate portrayal of what gay teens go through after they graduate high school? Not even close. Stephens comments they inhabit a world in which being gay or straight doesn´t matter. We´d also assume, by that logic, friends aren´t as cliquish in their reality as they are in ours. (The main characters include the stereotypical queen, the jock, the nerd and the All American kid.) Also by extension, the characters are free to speak, act and do as they want. Using sexually explicit language, cursing, simulating sex acts in public…it´s all par for the course for them. Contrast that with "American Pie" in which Jim and his friends live in some reality of a real world.

Although they might not live in the real world, the dilemmas Jarod, Andy, Nico and Griff face are real. Jarod, the jock, is worried his manhood is too small. Nico experiments with one too many enemas before bedding "Survivor"s Richard Hatch. Griff harbors unrequited love for Jarod. And Andy finds himself over his head in an internet hookup sexual encounter. Those are the things that help "Another Gay Movie" stay grounded in some sort of reality. Losing an erection before intercourse is a humiliating thing for either gay or straight males; here, it is treated as such and not as a gag. Other things-such as a priest giving a boy scout a blowjob in a bathroom-are mined for laughs.

Speaking of laughs, they are fast and furious, starting with the very first scene. I hate to constantly reference "American Pie" in relation to "Another Gay Movie"; however, the comparisons are impossible to ignore. Nearly every gag in the straight sex comedy is retooled here as a gay one. Webcam? Check. Party hookup? Check. The pact? Check. Early party sexual encounter gone awry? Check. An older character shacking up with one of the young leads? Check. That´s the one downfall of the film. Audiences want to see something new and fresh, not retreads of what we´ve seen before. Even by switching out the sexuality of the main characters, this is still a warmed over "American Pie". Don´t get me wrong: that precursor was a wildly successful and funny production. But, as a filmmaker, you have to reach for something bigger and better than what was done before. If you´re making a straight spoof (like "Robin Hood: Men in Tights" or "Spaceballs"), then it´s okay to rip-off the original material.

"Another Gay Movie" is not a spoof. As good and funny as it is, I think someone forgot to tell the filmmakers. Besides the script, the entire production is over the top and "out there". In his quest to make the gayest movie ever created, Stephens somehow created the illegitimate stepchild of "American Pie" and "Mommie Dearest", with a little "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" thrown in for good measure. It will go down in a movie history book somewhere for something, but no one´s going to give it any points for originality.