Role/Play (2010) User Reviews (8)

The Good, the Bad and the Pale

[cmanni · 5/10 · 8 October 2010]

I had the opportunity to see this film on the last night of a Gay Film Festival, and I am sure that having seen 10+ films before this one has influenced some of my opinions of what audiences can expect in a 'good gay film' these days.

Positive things about the film: The film's storyline is rather predictable, and it doesn't try to drop any plot bombshells, (this is NOT The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo!) allowing the viewer to focus on the characters and the dialog instead of plot points. Think of My Dinner with Andre around a pool with and without speedos. The Director was obviously comfortable in this genre, along with the actors.

On the Less Positive side: this comfort seemed to mean that neither the director or the actors felt the need to push for strong performances. With the exception of the David Pevsner as Alex the Innkeeper, the performances seemed phoned in, and as predictable as the plot. In several scenes, I thought they were doing a sendup of a soap opera scene as an inside joke for the lead character, an ex-soap star, because of the staid dialog, blocking and camera shots.

Areas for improvement: Following up on my previous comment --- Move the darned camera! For 20 years Law & Order found a way to float the camera and bring some visual energy to a dialog-heavy scene, and audiences have come to like/want that. I can only remember 10 shots in this film that had any significant movement in them. The rest were all locked off shots. There are options between locked-off sticks shots and swish pans.

The score was well done, and not overpowering overall, except in areas where it was too loud for the dialog. Some test screenings should even out these areas. Additional screenings will also help the editor learn where he needs to allow for laugh time, so dialog isn't missed by the audience, and where to tighten up the dialog when the laughs don't come.

There were no technical notes given, but assuming it was shot with a Red, the DP did a credible job, especially given that he had 8 days to shoot everything. I wish he had taken more time to establish mood rather than just softly lighting the scenes. There was very little texture in the lighting. And I really wish he had taken time to collaborate with the MakeUp artist and the color correction guys in post - because the actors ALL looked like cadavers! Too much pale makeup, not enough color, not enough filtering! Both leads (and Mr Pevsner) had nice bodies and nice butts. A few tan lines would have lent some warmth and personality to them. Likewise, facial wrinkles can create character, but I shouldn't be able to count them to get through a boring scene. Hi-def quality in the wrong hands can be a dangerous weapon.

My bottom line is that this was a good effort film, with some very funny lines stuck in among some really tedious dialog. It could have been 15 minutes shorter, and have moved faster throughout. I wanted to see (or at least hear) Jim J Bullock one more time at the end to signal a return to 'the real world'. It's sad to start a subplot like JJB and then not pay it off. (Was it intentional to have him look like he was wearing all the makeup Tami Faye left him?)

Finally, I hope that if there is a part 2 in the wings, they find a way to have 12 shoot days instead of 8. Let the DP make it NOT look like a documentary, and let the actor become more natural with the characters and less directed.

Incredibly Boring

[harryjohnson2008 · 4/10 · 31 December 2012]

As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of gay-themed films, I have to express my disappointment in this movie. First, the positive... the acting was actually pretty good. Steve Callahan and Matthew Montgomery did a good job. Their skills are 50% of the reason why this review got 4 stars instead of 2. The other 50% (and let's be honest here) is the fact that both actors are VERY easy on the eyes - both their face shots and their derrières...which we see quit of bit of. Am I saying a full frontal of either of them would have been nice too? Well, it wouldn't have hurt, and maybe got the film one more star.

And now for the negative: this film was incredibly boring. The writing was terrible (sorry Mr. Williams). I can't tell you how many times I caught myself drifting off, staring out the window, looking at the clock, mentally doing a grocery list, etc.. Finally, about three quarters of the way through, I just couldn't take it anymore and started skipping ahead to the end. I was bummed, because I was really rooting for the film to be better. There are so few gay/romantic/dramas that are, for the most part positive (and don't end in death, heartbreak or tragedy), that I really wanted this film to succeed. Instead, it was predictable, flat, and boring. Unfortunately, my recommendation on this one would be don't waste your time or money.

Dull/Play

[NoDakTatum · 4/10 · 27 October 2023]

"Role/Play" is a look at two celebrities dealing with the high cost of fame in today's internet-driven world. Graham (Steve Callahan) is a closeted gay soap opera actor whose sex tape with an unidentified man has just hit the web. He is fired from his show, and conspires with his agent Bernie (Jim J. Bullock) on his next move. In the meantime, he is decompressing at an inn in Palm Springs owned by Alex (David Pevsner). Another well-known guest, Trey (Matthew Montgomery), also arrives at the quiet inn. Trey is a vocal gay-marriage advocate. Unfortunately, he is going through some drama of his own, having cheated on his new spouse and currently seeking a divorce after pushing his pro-gay marriage opinions on the public. The two men meet and argue, but eventually find themselves falling for each other. They must also deal with some big secrets they are keeping concerning their respective scandals, and how the truth might change their new relationship.

Rob Williams directs his own script, with most of the film taking place at the inn. Williams' direction is as static as his screenplay, which seems more like an aborted stage production than a filmed comedy-drama. This is one talky flick. Both main characters discuss the price of fame ad nauseum, and I was eventually turned off by the whining quality of some of the clunky dialogue. Graham and Trey are likable characters, but their analyses, self and otherwise, got to be a bit much. I found Alex and Ricky (Brian Nolan), another guest, more interesting, but their screen time was limited as we get scene after scene of Graham and Trey discussing their opinions of each others' problems. Callahan and Montgomery's frequent nudity seemed like a reason to wake up the audience more than a natural occurrence. Bullock literally phones in his performance, and is given nothing to do. Jake Monaco provides some catchy songs and a nice musical score, and the sunshine is lovely to look at during the exterior scenes. However, once the film ends, I felt let down by the preachiness of the script and the inability of some of the actors to deal with the poor dialogue. Seriously, there are some lighter moments here that thud and die, especially Ricky and Trey's scene, and I felt bad for all involved. I am familiar with Montgomery from other films, and know he is capable of much more. Callahan looks like he belongs on a soap, and has a nice charm. It is too bad Williams could not take advantage of these willing performers and written something more specific or revelatory for their characters. "Role/Play" could have made quite a comment on our celebrity culture, but instead lurks in the margins, regurgitating talking points and predictability. For such a talky film, it has little wisdom to share.

Excruciatingly Superficial

[scootmandutoo · 2/10 · 17 April 2011]

I have seen lower budget films than "Role/Play." I have seen worse scripts and worse acting. However, when it comes to superficiality and pretentiousness, this film hits a whole new level.

I caught Steve Callahan before, including his roles in "East Side Story" and "Pornography," but in "Role/Play" he was virtually unwatchable. His speech was stilted and artificial and everything felt like it was being read for film class. Not a thing out of his mouth came off as believable. His partner, Matthew Montgomery was stronger as an actor, though I often felt bad for what he had to spout in this film.

I will say that it was nice to see David Pevsner in this (though I am sure he regrets one certain scene this film-maker idiotically had him do). Pevsner deserves better. Anyone who saw him in "When Pigs Fly," off-Broadway, knows this guy has talent to spare.

The real awfulness of this movie lies in the exceptionally bad script from director Rob Wilson.

This script screams...'I am an insider,' 'I know about gay Hollywood,' 'I will expose glbt politics.' It was written by a person who seems to have spent his whole life locked in the fabulousness of a glbt community that only seems to know Chelsea, Palm Springs, The Pines and Santa Monica Boulevard. All you need to know about this film is the way that the couple that were not 2 pretty party twins were portrayed.

Oh sorry, that was supposed to reveal that the main, 'important,' characters learned a little more about love because they realized that 2 partners were able to love each other without both being physically perfect.

This film doesn't shut up, it is talky to the point of preaching. Plus, it then throws in occasional butt shots...well, just because they decided to show some nudity. Hey, you need good publicity stills to get somebody to watch this.

Sorry, but this film's central characters were so self-indulgent, stereotypical and obnoxious that why would anyone care how it ended? It was beyond obvious how it would play out. In fact, my partner and I were joking about it as the story neared its end, and we hooted with laughter when it played out as predictably as it promised to.

They don't get much shallower than this.

Very third rate

[robert-85923 · 3/10 · 22 April 2019]

If you enjoy your eye candy and like watched suggestive bedroom scenes then this is probably the film for you.

For everyone else, it's got everything a third rate film should have * Wooden acting - I know we all enjoy a bit of wood but pinocchio could have done better at acting * Boring cinematography - Silent black and white movies had more style * Clichéd pedestrian script - a kindergarten kid could have come up with something more compelling * Preachy - That kind of stuff belongs in the churches that condemn us

I'm giving it three stars. Just occasionally the acting rallies and there seems to be a bit of a spark between the main characters but then it flame is quickly extinguished.

Rob Williams! My namesake! Too often your films are a waste of your money and our time. You could do soooooo much better. You have all the ingredients - beautiful men - a fantastic state to film them in and yet ...

A lightweight representation of gay issues

[michaeldasilvapearce · 3/10 · 15 May 2015]

This is a very disappointing film but it is difficult to pinpoint exactly why. I viewed this film in 2015 in the UK where we have enjoyed Civil Partnerships for 10 years and equal marriage has just recently been made law so I am willing to concede that my perspective might be a bit skewed. However, for me, the issues raised in Role/Play suddenly seemed very out of touch. I am not even sure if an actor's sex tape would make the news nowadays. That said, I know aspects of American life can be conservative in their outlook so perhaps the themes here still have some relevance.

I think the film tries to say too much in one forum. There are simply too may themes jostling for dominance set alongside the notion of true love always wins through. It is very predictable and there is no depth to any of the ideas presented. For me, the acting was generally poor – more akin to that in a gay porn movie – but equally the script did not give the actors the opportunity to really develop their characters.

Overall, for me, this was a very lightweight film that was out of touch of what it means to be gay in the 21st Century.

Excessive, Plodding and Extremely Preachy

[Franco-LA · 2/10 · 23 December 2013]

As others point out, this is a movie that has was too much dialogue (the comparison to My Dinner With Andre with Speedos is apt) - and the director is definitely in love with his words; unfortunately, it's an excessively narcissistic obsession that no one else will be able to share, much less enjoy.

What passes for wit is that even though the soap opera actor lead is 12 years older than the gay activist role, the mid-30s man living in West Hollywood and active in the gay community would not know some random pop culture references such as Dynasty and Dallas (for which the other actor would have been a teenager during their height).

As with a number of recent low budget films aimed in this market, there is a minimum of technical proficiency in some respects, but given that this level is hit by so many others films, it needs to do MORE than merely be lit or in focus - the camera work should have some vigor and move a story, capture nuances in performances, etc. Likewise, a script should not just plod from Point A to Point B, as the trope states, you could put a thousand monkeys in a room with typewriters and they might turn out Hamlet; in this case, apparently, one writer-director couldn't do much than turn out a vanity project of sorts.

Great love story

[niceguy34613 · 10/10 · 1 July 2020]

I in joyed the movie, wish it was on DVD or Blue ray, I would love to add it to my video library it was that good.