Writer/director Rob Williams created a holiday classic for gay viewers with his comedy Make the Yuletide Gay. For Valentine’s Day, they might enjoy his February 2010 release Role/Play.
A sex tape outs soap opera star Graham Windsor (Steve Callahan of East Side Story, Make the Yuletide Gay, and Nine Lives). He hides away at a gay resort, run by the wise but somewhat prudish Alex (stage and film actor David Pevsner). His quiet weekend becomes anything but quiet, thanks to gay marriage activist Trey Reed (Mathew Montgomery of Long-Term Relationship, Socket, and Back Soon).
Trey, also a recent victim of scandal, sees Graham sunbathing and quickly begins exchanging barbs with the closeted actor. They both see the other as betraying gay causes and acting hypocritically. Their age difference also affects their perspectives, with forty-year-old Graham representing the lingering effects of old Hollywood and Trey representing a more out-and-proud young activism. Even though he plays a smaller role, Alex adds more depth to the film by representing an older generation of gays and their struggles. All three men remain handsome and likeable, despite their moments of bitterness.
Of course, romance develops between the two leads, even while their debates over gay issues threaten to turn them into enemies. In a few spots, those debates drown out the natural rhythms of storytelling, and the two lovers sound like they’re reading essays out loud, instead of carrying on a conversation.
Still, given their backgrounds and current situations, it seems realistic that these two men would constantly argue about gay issues. Even amid the fighting, the chemistry between real-life couple Montgomery and Callahan comes through on the screen. They both work well as romantic leads.
In supporting roles, Brian Nolan and Jim J. Bullock deliver laughs and some surprising insights, while Matthew Stephen Herrick helps provide one of the film’s big surprises. Overall, Rob Williams delivers yet another satisfying film about the lives and loves of gay men. His passion and his sense of humor make his projects appealing.
Thanks for visiting my blog! Also for Valentine’s Day (or whenever), please read this Gay Love Poem.
