Hi Vincent. Please allow me to out this film: it's "Handsome Harry". There was a very brief discussion about it on another thread a couple of years ago. Truman liked it, I didn't. Perhaps I should give it another chance.
http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,45782.msg631599.html#msg631599
Paul
Hi Paul, I did a brief search but didn't get any hits.. maybe I need to return to search school.
Sorry I omitted the title in the text , it was not intentional - I fixed that. Didn't mean for you to have to "out the film". I have been focused on easing people past "Handsome Harry" as it sounds so cliche and corny. Handsome Harry requires multiple viewings, then reflections of the material and yeah a bit of forgiveness for the rough spots. But, the ending, oh man, coupled with those flash backs, and then if you just close your eyes and page thru the lives of those men - as shown to us. That really stopped me dead in my tracks once I assembled it.
Spoilers on:
What could have been? What was possible with Harry? What was possible with David? What does one's heart want? How do you know true love when it finds you? What about the courage to defend your best friend? DADT... What about what IS possible - even now, with David? Should Harry follow his heart? Can he? What about all those commitments to one's family? What's in Harry's struggle with his truth, his son? Is this quest part of Harry's catharsis? Could Harry have made a life with David then? Hint: As shown in the flash backs, David's parents were accepting and I feel would have welcomed Harry whom was clearly important to David? Do you really take someone home to meet your parent's if you are not really serious about them? Does your friend sleep in your bed? Does your male friend give you a kiss on the cheek? Do your male buddies secretly go to what's known as a gay bar to hear you play for the crowd? Does Harry's desire or story to "become a priest" signal his struggle with himself? His guilt perhaps? His feelings for David? Does Harry's not remembering who of the group actually injured David severely indicate his remorse? His guilt? Could or should any be forgiven? Should Harry be forgiven? ...
Spoilers off:
I'm sorry. I can become so tangled in the threads swimming thru my head from this film - get's me good, just like Brokeback.
Yeah, Handsome Harry needed better directing and tighter editing and perhaps more flash backs but with what's there, I learned enough to be satisfied that the story was worth the journey even if there is a pothole or two along the way. Just consider the flashbacks in Brokeback - quite powerful / overwhelming once the context is revealed. The flashbacks, and even the music, which is mostly well done Jazz, informs us throughout.
In general, I thought Handsome Harry would appeal to most Brokies. I apologize if my gusto for Handsome Harry exceeds it's delivery. Cheers, V.