Broken Hearts Club: Romantic Comedy (2000)

After viewing the gay ensemble film The Broken Hearts Club--the subtitle of which helpfully points out that it's "a romantic comedy"--you might feel as if you've been offered a discussion conundrum not unlike the kind that Mike Myers's Linda "Coffee Talk" Richman would put forward: "The Broken Hearts Club is neither romantic nor comedic. Discuss." What it is, rather, is a gay male version of Steel Magnolias, right down to the funeral scene and hospital visit. While decidedly less melodramatic than that Southern chick flick, it still aspires to a kind of big-group love-in feeling that's only vaguely comic. And romance? Well, there's some somewhere, when the characters aren't carping about how the only thing they're good at is being gay. They all wrestle with their Big Issues--should Patrick (Ben Weber) donate sperm so his sister can have a baby with her lesbian lover? Will cynical Dennis (Timothy Olyphant) finally admit he loves just-out-of-the-closet Kevin (Andrew Keegan)? How will love-'em-and-leave-'em Cole (Dean Cain) feel when he's rejected by the closeted movie star?--but to little effect, despite some snappy one-liners and occasional keen observances of gay culture. Writer-director Greg Berlanti's screenplay still feels about two or three drafts away from completion, and when faced with stalling action, he opts for a montage set to one of many Carpenters' songs (covers, not the actual hits themselves). Kudos go to the acidic Weber for infusing what could have been a whiny character with a dry, intelligent wit, and the surprisingly charming Cain, who makes Cole someone you can't really hate too much despite all his faults--it would be like hating a puppy. If only all the characters were half as appealing. --Mark Englehart Amazon.com

Ok to watch

This film was alright, It had descent acting, I wouldn't buy the film but if someone gave it to me i'd take it. This one of those films you have to see for yourself. August 19, 2008

Charming

This film was incredibly sweet and charming and just plain fun to watch. It did have a few sad moments, but on the whole is a film that will cheer you up and put a smile on your face. It tells the story of a group of gay friends who have their own amateur baseball team and who are always hanging out at the oldest member of their group, Jack's restaurant. The film is filled with great performances from a number of then relatively unknown actors who have since become much more famous. Its interesting to watch the film now, knowing what some of them have gone on to do in their careers. The film will appeal primarily to gay audiences, but almost anyone will find it fun, touching and a truly honest film about friendships, relationships and the loss of the ones we love. February 18, 2008

The Broken Hearts Club

this movie is a touching one funny and then sad... a great movie... September 6, 2007

Being gay is a thing, but only one thing.

This movie romantically proclaims that being gay is a thing, but only one thing. I have seen no other film that more delightfully challenges gay people to accept their sexuality and to move on without allowing homosexuality to be the defining quality of their lives. The Broken Hearts Club is fun, sad, and always poignant. It is not stereotypical. Rather, it reveals and utilizes stereotypes as a backdrop for the positive, but difficult, journey toward relationships that are defined neither by stereotypes, nor by one's sexuality. Among all movies, The Broken Hearts Club is a strong four star. Among gay genre films, it is a definite five. May 8, 2007

refreshingly different

This is an adorable movie. It's about the lives and loves of a bunch of 20something gay men. It doesn't preach or try to make a statement. A blond Zach Braf (Scrubs), closeted actor Dean Cain (Lois & Clark), and Deadwood's Timothy Ophliant). It's just good. March 1, 2007

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