Camp

Charming and frequently hilarious, IFC Films' Camp is like Fame for the musical-theater set. It's set at Camp Ovation, a summer retreat for budding actors and singers who chant Stephen Sondheim's "Losing My Mind" on their bus rather than "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." Into this environment comes a--gasp!--straight male, Vlad (Daniel Letterle), who turns upside down the lives of wallflower Ellen (Joanna Chilcoat), cross-dressing Michael (Robin DeJesus), and instructor Bert Hanley (Don Dixon), a frustrated one-hit-wonder composer. Camp was written and directed by Todd Graff, himself a Broadway veteran, based on his experiences at New York's musical camp Stagedoor Manor (which was attended by Natalie Portman and Robert Downey Jr., among others). The characters are a bit thin and the plot somewhat predictable, but the musical numbers are a lot of fun--older tunes are mixed with originals by Stephen Trask (Hedwig and the Angry Inch), Michael Gore (Fame), and Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Seussical the Musical)--and fans of musicals will love the many inside jokes, especially those relating to Sondheim. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

CAMP

I saw this movie on cable and just had to get a copy for myself. Its awesome. Summer camp for the nerdy thesbians, but these kids have talent!!! I love the medley of broadway tunes they sing, and the story is cute and funny as well. None of the actors are well known, but for this story I like it better that way. August 18, 2008

Great Fun, Super-Talented Teens and Outstanding Songs

I understand why some reviewers of this winning movie find it a little angsty and melodramatic - because it is. But for those who remember adolescence, everything is angsty and melodramatic - it's a time of operatic emotions and overblown reactions. It's a time when you think that no one has ever loved as you have, when tripping over your feet in the lunchroom is an embarrassment that surpasses that being arrested for prostitution, and a single zit on your forehead makes you want to take to bed for a week.

In Camp, Todd Graff captures those emotions perfectly. The actor are up to the task, with Robin de Jesus giving an Oscar-worthy performance as the drag-loving Michael. I'm serious. Compare his gutsy, accomplished performance with the tentative underacting of Jaye Davidson in The Crying Game, and I think you'll agree that it was de Jesus who should have walking the red carpet with his acceptance speech folded in the pocket of his tuxedo - or his evening gown.

But all the kids are terrific performers. So much talent! Why aren't these young people on American Idol?

Camp takes place in a special summer camp where it's the straight boys who are in the minority - much like the drama club of my high school back in the 80's. The songs are great, and by the closing number - the joyfully performed "For the Want of Nail," you'll be on your feet and filling out the application for next year's camp season.

Scott Sherman, author, First You Fall: A Kevin Connor Mystery May 15, 2008

silly and predictible

Silly, predictable, and over-the-top, this film tries too hard in all the wrong places. It should've focused on a better script and hired more talented actors (although the actors are pretty good singers, their acting abilities are questionable at best). It might pass for a made-for-TV film, but nothing more than that.
April 21, 2008

Harmless Fluff

There are very few good gay movies out there. Whole New Thing, Harry and Max, La Cage Aux Folles and As Luck Would Have It are some of the only ones worth watching.

Now we can add to the list "Camp", a cute, harmless little bit of fluff. It doesn't touch on any of the major "issues". No one gets AIDS. No one gets gay bashed (well, sort of. Someone does, in a way, at the very begining, but that's about it), and no one dies. Instead people end up in slightly awkward, real-life situations, largly centering around who's sleeping with who (whom?).

The acting is decent all around. The film is well-directed and written. The song and dance numbers are servicable. Basically, it's a nice bit of brain-candy. Nothing serious, nothing filling, but a pleasant enough way to pass 105 minutes of your life. December 5, 2007

Wow

Simply amazing! People who criticize this movie simply don't get the point... if "camp" is what you're looking for, this movie is incredible. October 20, 2007

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