Too much of everything

The Age of Commercialism

Excellent adaptation.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Despite a great deal of male-to-male affection (bare-chested hugging, kissing, and cuddling), "Were the World Mine" is overloaded with bigots. What's worse is, they win out! This 'fantasy' for open-minded audiences doesn't really have a happy ending at all...in fact, this is the least progressive gay-themed film in a good while. Handsome prep school lad, about to perform in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" along with his classmates, is aided by his music teacher in coming up with an elixir which can turn heterosexuals gay. This naturally leads to confusion and anger when the newfound gays and lesbians (acting like horny pod people) descent upon the straights, begging for their returned affections. An ambitious, colorful production sense (with beautifully scored musical interludes) captivates the attention for a spell; however, the third act (switching the gays back to their hateful hetero selves) doesn't exactly inspire the quirky sweetness director and co-screenwriter Tom Gustafson was probably aiming for. *1/2 from ****

Usually I resent anything that stereotypes homosexuals. I resent it even more when gays stereotype gays. As gay as this movie definitely is (fairies... guys wearing wings... rugby players doing pirouettes), I am -surprisingly enough- completely enamored with it. I am glad that I watched it, then watched it again, and... watched it again.There is something about this movie that moves past being just a story about fairies - literal and otherwise. Cohen has a strong and beautiful voice. Both he and Becker play their characters way beyond stereotypes. It didn't hurt to have them both be such total hot-ties, either.It's really too bad that so many people will be put-off by anything to do with same sex relationships. (BTW: this movie is about more than just that.) They are missing a film that inspires the audience to have the courage to be oneself and the courage to let go of what you love, because of that love, at the risk of losing it. -- 12/08/09 Before Puck (Cohen) sings "Sleep Sound" there is a brief moment when the viewer sees Cole's mother obviously disgruntled by her son's apparent homosexuality. She breaks into a gargantuan smile when Cole return to his heterosexual self. Many gays and lesbians live their entire life knowing that, when all is said and done, our parent's continue to feel that we have failed them by not (at least) pretending to be heterosexuals. When it comes to sexuality, it is not uncommon to find our parent's and our friends' love to be very conditional.

Tom Gustafson's ambitious expansion on his acclaimed short Fairies is quite impressive in its own right. The story focuses on the appealing Timothy – a gay and out student at an all boys prep school in small town USA – frustrated at the narrow-mindedness of many of the people around him. He endures assorted mild humiliations and being largely ostracized, while pining for the hunky nice-guy captain of the rugby league Jonathan. His struggling mother, Donna, does not know quite what to make of him and he gets some solace from his pair of off-beat friends, nicely played by Ricky Goldman and Zelda Williams. Things get shaken up when an ethereal teacher, Mrs. Tebbit, mounts a musical rendering at the school of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Nights Dream, with some of the boys cast in the female roles and Timothy scoring a lead as a fairy. Timothy discovers in Shakespeare's prose a recipe for a magical pansy, which when sprayed in the face of various townspeople allows them to "walk in his shoes". Amusing complications ensue, along with the stuff of dreams as Jonathan expresses his love for Timothy. The film expertly manages to walk the line between whimsy and inspiration. It pays loving homage to Shakespeare and free spirits and appears beautifully rendered on a limited budget. The musical numbers are few, but effective and carried out by a well-selected cast. The only severe criticism I can think to level is not at the filmmakers, but in some of the reviews I have read from mainstream critics, who take the film to task over what they claim are cartoonish depictions for some of the townspeople – most notably the homophobic gym coach and Donna's Bible-thumping female boss, who fires her when she discovers Timothy's sexuality. To act like such people do not exist in multitude and act this way in the real world and do not often occupy positions of power in small town USA seems particularly naïve on the part of such critics. If anything, the filmmakers have made Timothy's travails as the lone out gay kid at school in a small town much more watered down than they would be in real life. While much of the film's success must be attributed to Gustafson and co-writer Cory James Krueckelberg, one cannot underestimate the exceptional cast. Judy McLane does well with a difficult role as Donna, who cannot quite make up her mind how she feels about the situation but deeply loves her son nonetheless. Jill Larson and Christian Stolte nail their parts of the central bigots perfectly, but also know how to milk the comedy when their respective characters end up falling for same-sex partners who do not reciprocate. Zelda Williams is a particular stand-out, especially when her character grows more frustrated with the events unfolding around her. Wendy Robie is a total delight as the free spirited teacher who proves to be anything but a pushover. Nathaniel David Becker exudes the perfect balance of hunky appeal, lovely singing voice and earnestness to make us understand why Timothy would be entranced by him and make us root for their union. Last, and certainly not least, Tanner Cohen makes the perfect lead for this film. He is alternately adorable, mischievous and heart-breaking making Timothy a character that one does not feel the least bit guilty of becoming completely invested in emotionally. He has a beautiful voice to pull off the numbers and the acting chops to connect with the viewer and carry them over the various emotional hurdles that the character is thrown, particularly conveying his palpable longing for Jonathan. Hopefully this is not the last we will be seeing of the leading men in this film. On a side note, I have also noted that a number of people seem a bit confused by the denouement in how it pertains to the leads, but if one truly watches the interactions in the pre-pansy spraying moments, all of the clues are there for those watching. A quite appealing little film that stays with one long after it has concluded and raises the spirits.

This movie is a breath of fresh air. I am so pleased that this movie is part of the gay community's body of work. The movie begins (somewhat predictably) with a young (and adorable) gay teen who struggles with being out at school and within his small town. To cope with the pressures he often escapes into a musical daydream world. To the movie's {and the actors} credit, the music is delightful. I purchased the soundtrack BEFORE the movie was even finished. The movie goes on to see the main character cast in the lead role of the school play by a supportive teacher who turns out to be more than she seems. The drama continues as the young lead character is torn while trying to decide how to best use his new found "Love Potion". If you are considering getting this movie, DON'T HESITATE. I will leave the rest of the spoilers out. While the movie has some predictable moments. And as it is the director's and several of the actor's first movie there are times where I think it cold have been done "A BIT" better. However, it still ranks up there with my all time favorite movies. It captured my imagination and left me in awe. It is TRUE to Shakespeare as well as if the story is EXACTLY what Shakespeare had in mind. Masterfully done and highly recommended. I can't wait to see what this director and the actors bring us next!