From Zero to I Love You (2019) User Reviews (23)

Love, lust, or commitment

[chong_an · 7/10 · 27 May 2019]

Pete, a single black man, has an affair with Jack, a married white man. Pete's father, a lawyer, is upset that Pete is dating a married man for the 4th time, and urges Pete to commit and settle down. Meanwhile, Jack has had homosexual episodes since his teens, married the prettiest girl in his class, had 2 kids, and both Jack and his wife have successful careers. Regardless of his behavior, Jack confesses to his counselor that he doesn't want to be gay or bisexual. While Pete and Jack declare their love for each other, will Jack finally divorce his wife, and will Pete be willing to wait for the divorce?

I saw this at the Inside Out LGBT festival, and the Q+A answered a puzzle I was having. The story was set in the present - Jack's brother-in-law warns Jack against leaving an electronic footprint by texting or sending "dick pics", and Jack's lawyer jokes about his "1st divorce", given that same-sex marriage is now legal. But the "don't want to be gay" attitude seemed to be from an earlier period. It turns out that the inspiration for this film came from the writer / director's experiences earlier in life, before he became too old to play Pete himself. OK, I understand, but it still means I give it a mixed review.

A Beautiful Wake-Up Call

[dougmauldenlocke · 7/10 · 7 February 2020]

From Zero to I Love You touches on the not-discussed-enough struggle of people not allowing themselves to be who they are, and living the lies that they believe the world wants them to be. Doug Spearman crafted a story that feels real, with a touch of a fairy-tale love story to top it off. Darryl Stephens is simply one of the most beautiful men of our time to grace the screen and he plays the role of Pete well.

I hope anyone struggling with who they are and they life they're in finds strength in this story and can evolve the way the main characters did.

Not Convinced on the Acting Nor The Story Either!

[javierubio · 5/10 · 19 November 2020]

Since the first moment I saw this picture I knew it was going to be a big compromise from me to not jump to conclusions that it was going to be a Hollywood Fake Movie. And it was! I didn't believe in the acting of any involved in this drama story where i found everything very insipid and so predictable specially from the the cast of this film! Everything sounded so annoying and honestly for me it was only a gay story where production, direction and acting was just a Big try from rescuing some Dramatic Love (Unbelievable) Scenes that did not make the movie any better!

Couldn't keep my interest....

[ohlabtechguy · 6/10 · 28 November 2020]

I'm dying to see all the new gay romance movies, but this one fell flat for me. Seemed all contrived and not real. The married gay guy had this annoying nasal voice and his black squeeze was too feminine acting. Sorry, I like perfection on the screen....ain't that the main reason drop dead gorgeous guys get picked to become actors? And then the pseudo macho gay guy with tatts was just a typical urban gay clone. Acting was OK. The actress playing the dumber than dumb wife was good. Near the end, the pace slowed too much. The climax scene in the street was just too Hollywoodesque. Didn't buy any of this film for a minute.

A movie to celebrate cheaters! Yay!

[tennis-38290 · 7/10 · 3 January 2022]

Not a bad watch per say, and I'm glad at least the story gave a voice to those that were cheated on (ie the wife and gay fiance), but the happy ending is a bit much by providing positivity to both to the main characters who were CHEATERS! The part when married man yelled at his wife for knowing about his gay past and not supporting him in his journey was cringy. Like he was the victim in all this. The writer should have made the wife stronger and slapped his arse. The fiance who also got cheated was the best, strong and decisive with his kicking his cheater partner to the curb.

Well done gay rom-com

[justahunch-70549 · 7/10 · 28 June 2023]

This low budget film makes great use of its resources due to a lot of talent behind the screen as well as in front. This is a stylish, well written rom-com about a gay love affair with all the difficulties & complications getting there as is usual for this type of film. It's a nice little movie full of very likeable actors and the characters they portray. It's smart and humorous and I was surprised at how much I liked it as it's not my usual style, but it's hard to resist despite a bit of necessary unpleasantness involving a wife and children. All the actors are good, though I never really bought for a minute that the co-lead, Scott Bailey, was gay, but like the rest here, he is likeable and appealing. I was particularly impressed by the other lead, Darryl Stephens. He's talented and attractive with a smoky voice that is killer. It's not flawless by any means, but it is a good little film that I don't think had a theatrical release, which is a shame, though it probably wouldn't have made a dime. It's not the point of this film, but bisexuality is a lot more common in this country than many would believe.

Nothing but blah

[denny321 · 4/10 · 8 January 2021]

This is a movie about a white closeted married guy who dates a black single guy with a history of dating white closeted married guys. While the premise seems to hold the potential for an engaging story and the production is at least competent, it falls hopelessly flat in every respect. It simply isn't dramatic enough, funny enough, heartwarming enough, or steamy enough to be worthwhile. Everything here is skin deep. There's no reason for the audience to get behind a guy who seems to see his devoted wife and daughters as mere baggage, and shirks his responsibilities to them at every turn. A couple doleful piano notes as the boyfriend is left hanging again (as if he couldn't see it coming) isn't near enough to tug at my heartstrings. I'd suggest the filmmakers go out and live a little, and find something more substantial to write about. But at least they got the title right - there's plenty of Zero, a bit of I Love You, and not much in between.

Oh, and - there's not a closeted guy on the planet who'd ask his secretary to send a dozen roses to a man.

A complex love story for complex (unloving) times

[guymfoster · 9/10 · 7 February 2020]

I've been waiting for this film ever since I first heard it was in production two or three years ago. I'm happy to report that it did not disappoint. Spearman has crafted a film that tackles a familiar subject but updates it with wonderful touches. A white man married to a woman struggles to affirm his same-sex desires by having furtive encounters with other men until he finally meets one man who inspires him to make a dramatic change in his life. And this man is black. The interracial nature of this relationship gives Spearman the chance to explore other topics that aren't often addressed in such storylines. To cite one example: I loved the close but tough love relationship between the erstwhile homewrecker Pete (portrayed with great sensitivity and smoldering charm by Darryl Stephens) and his father (the stately Richard Lawson). Contemporary reviewers aren't used to seeing filmic treatments of black fathers who accept their gay sons in this way. Indeed, Lawson's character is so invested in his son's happiness that he ultimately plays a central role in helping to bring about the HEA ending that Spearman's film motors toward. And while From Zero to I Love You touches on the fact that Pete's friend group is mostly comprised of white rather than black people (implying perhaps that Pete is partial to white men as partners, though not exclusively so), it doesn't allow such concerns (concerns which the film is hardly indifferent to), to get in the way of the love story that is clearly Spearman's main focus. Put differently, Spearman has crafted a contemporary film that recognizes his characters' racial and not just their gender identities. And while it is clearly important to the film that Pete is black and Jack (portrayed with wide-eyed sexiness and forgivable confusion by Scott Bailey) is white, these specific elements add texture and authenticity to the story itself rather than simply present the characters as interchangeable and generic racially. I'm a black gay man and I for one appreciated Spearman's willingness to make racial diversity something more than a visual element in his film but also a structuring element at the level of his script/story. And did I mention that the film has a black man as the principle love interest? Certainly in this day and age we need more black men to be loved rather than hated and feared. That said, I found this film to be satisfying on multiple levels.

endless movie, erm, endless love . . .

[Phillim212 · 27 December 2021]

Soap opera of fraught interracial affair between out gay and closeted gay in hetero marriage. Not terrible, the leads are pretty, some good moments, but oh my it just goes on and on and on repetitively in familiar territory. I don't for a moment believe there is any passion here -- even the betrayed parties seem like they'll be fine after a stiff drink. The script meanders, and it looks like everybody was afraid to bring any scale to the thing; acting is not just "looking natural" -- you've got to take us someplace, show us things . . .

Worth a watch if you don't expect a masterpiece

[mackjay2 · 7/10 · 6 October 2021]

This is a very competent gay-themed film. It's nicely shot and the cast is mostly quite good in the acting department. Many of us can relate to either or both of the two leads. Both are good-looking, with Scott Bailey off the charts beautiful. Sure, we've seen it, or experienced it before, and there's enough truth in the drama to make it worth a look. An above average gay film. Just don't expect a masterwork.

Shallow and Weak!

[dmoorejdrf · 2/10 · 26 August 2021]

This movie is about a amateur as you can get. The writing gives no substance to any of the characters, there is absolutely no character development. The married male lead is about as narcissistic as you can get. He, without hesitation, jumps at the first opportunity to hook up with another guy, played by perineal gay candy Darryl Stevens who seems to be playing an extension of his Noah's Arc role. Of course as hay movies have it our two male leads fall in love 15 minutes after they meet and "do" each other. The married guy gives absolutely no consideration of what his affair will have on his two daughters and wife except for one brief moment when he sits in a chair in his sleeping daughters room weeping. That's it, he doesn't care and moves on with his gay tryst. Supposedly he is struggling with his homosexuality but has had numerous gay hook ups. The guy playing the married man has to be some of the worst acting on record. Yes, he is a very handsome man, but that won't carry this movie or his bad acting. It's as if there isn't a Director giving direction to how the part should be played. Surely there were no auditions for this movie! I could go on for hours, but the only way to understand how poorly made this movie is you have to watch it.

Well done--and uncomfortably close to too many people I know!

[csleach-629-355660 · 9/10 · 14 October 2019]

I grew up resenting being taught to be paranoid. The folks in this story could have benefitted somewhat from a pinch more paranoia than they exercised. My only resistance in the movie was my inner counselor kept doing therapy on all the characters. OF course I know if they all made consistently good decisions there would be no plot and no movie. Well, not a problem; they were all screwed up enough to make a damned good, impressive movie! My time was well spent.

Awful

[patrickkeown · 1/10 · 9 March 2023]

This movie is so God awful. I don't even know where to begin! The acting, first of all, is so so bad. I've seen better acting from a middle school play. All these actors do is read their lines, and do it poorly. Secondly, the editing is wretched. It's all strung together in these choppy, short scenes that give you whiplash. And then there's the plot; or lack thereof! Who wants to see a movie about a married wimp stringing along his wife and kids to repeatedly see another man whom he does NOT intend to be with? And he does it so poorly! (At least lie and be good at it!) ugh. Avoid this movie like the plague. I'd rather watch paint dry.

Trying to Cover too Much Ground

[gregandthecity-70501 · 4/10 · 5 April 2022]

Is it your standard "Will he or won't he come out" story? Or is it more about the "other man's" fear of commitment? Or his struggle with his black identity amidst a sea of affluent white people. Even the starving artist is affluent to a certain extent.

And then there's the "Where do we stand on monogamy?" Even though most of the male characters are promiscuous. And at one point, they even touch on the crystal meth epidemic in the gay community.

That's too much to unpack. It could be made into at least three different movies.

I would love to see one centered around the black man and the potential complex intersections of his fear of commitment and how that might be related to his growing up as an affluent African American. Directed by a black director, please!

I'll leave you with one of my biggest pet peeves in movies like this. As a New Yorker who visits Philadelphia frequently, I can assure you a magazine copywriter could never afford a quaint apartment.t in Rittenhouse Square - much less move to the newly gentrified meat packing district adjacent to the West Village. Decorated with a Noguchi coffee table and a Barcelona chair!

AMAZING LOVE STORY!!!!!!

[michelern-21388 · 10/10 · 29 January 2020]

This is such an amazing story about love and living in one's truth. The cast was awesome and played their roles to perfection! Darryl Stephens and Scott Bailey's characters were so heartfelt and had many layers. This story was extremely well written and directed by Doug Spearman, and I cannot wait to see what he does next! Bravo!

beautiful

[Kirpianuscus · 12 June 2021]

A film like a letter. You have no doubts be the destinatary . Because, more significant than the romance are the questions, vulnerabilities, searches and obstacles. A film about courage more than about love. Precise crafted, admirable reflection of slices from near reality, it can be useful for moments of expectation or confusion. Short, a beautiful film.

Dubbed?

[WIVEGI · 3/10 · 19 November 2022]

The acting in this film was so bad I truly thought it could be a foreign film that was dubbed. Even though I knew from the description that it was placed in Philadelphia, I still had to check to see if it was dubbed. I only got through the first five minutes before I had to give up. After reading reviews about how great the movie was and even comments on how fantastic the acting was I tried to watch those five minutes again...it was more painful the second time through.

Since the first five minutes focused on mostly one of main characters, I didn't have a chance to see the other actor, but I can't imagine he would've been able to carry the entire film and make up for the rest of this bad acting and production.

I only gave it a 3 rating instead of 1 star, because perhaps the story was good; I just couldn't watch it long enough to fairly rate the movie and it's entirety.

Good gay rom-coms don't come along very often

[kaospheric · 8/10 · 22 March 2020]

Frankly, I could watch anything with the apparently ageless, engaging and charming Darryl Stephens in it, so I'll try to get through this review with as little bias as possible. But in truth, Spearman has assembled a talented cast that delights from beginning to end. Stephens has palpable chemistry with his handsome co-star, Scott Bailey. Keili Lefkovitz is effervescent in the potentially thankless role of the down-low guy's wife, and Stephen Bowman is a ton of fun as Stephen's best friend. Veteran Richard Lawson - trivia: his first credited role, in 1971, was "Homosexual", in Dirty Harry. He went on to appear in pretty much everything, including Dynasty (1986) and Angry Boys (2011) - plays Stephen's father, who, in a refreshing twist, is a black father who doesn't have a problem with his gay son.

Good gay rom-coms don't come along very often. From Zero To I Love You manages to be hopelessly romantic, a hoot, and genuinely insightful (the damage wrought by Pete and Jack's affair isn't merely brushed under the carpet).

Surprising, enchanting, and sexy, From Zero To I Love You is a winner. Doug Spearman: what's next?

Couldn't get past the 40-minute mark

[marcoprazeres · 2/10 · 7 January 2024]

I'm usually not one to judge a movie without watching it from the start to the end, so this one is definitely a first, leaving me no doubts after just 39 minutes of watching it.

The acting is dull and just irrealistic and the dialogue seems like it was written by a teenager after watching all the seasons from The Witchers of Weverly Place (fantasy series of Disney Channel, for those who don't know).

I was actually eager to watch it, because the premise really had potential, but there are so many scenes that just made me cringe so hard, I couldn't watch it all. I truly don't know how it has an above 6 star rating, tbh.

If you just desperately want to watch a gay romance movie (we've all been there), just watch it. Don't expect it to be good, tho.

Nice Rom Com!

[preecherkid-50603 · 10/10 · 22 February 2021]

The wait was worth it. I saw snippets of this when Doug S was trying to get it produced and made into a movie. I guess I'm a sucker for romance movies. I have watched this movie about 12 times so far.

Loved it!

[parisheather · 10/10 · 29 January 2020]

Wonderful story, great acting, I was entertained! Will be watching again 😍

Great Film

[s_lopiano · 10/10 · 19 October 2020]

Loved this story and all the complexity of trying to be straight.... well done everyone get film. Highly recommend watching this one.

Great Gay-Rom Com

[expressurself · 10/10 · 7 March 2022]

A perfect depiction of how heterosexual and homosexual relationships are so alike, filled with deep rooted urges, messy yet love conquers over all. No matter how many people come in between or make you feel, the heart will be open for that person everyone else is so against.