moonspinner55
Despite a great deal of male-to-male affection (bare-chested hugging, kissing, and cuddling), "Were the World Mine" is overloaded with bigots. What's worse is, they win out! This 'fantasy' for open-minded audiences doesn't really have a happy ending at all...in fact, this is the least progressive gay-themed film in a good while. Handsome prep school lad, about to perform in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" along with his classmates, is aided by his music teacher in coming up with an elixir which can turn heterosexuals gay. This naturally leads to confusion and anger when the newfound gays and lesbians (acting like horny pod people) descent upon the straights, begging for their returned affections. An ambitious, colorful production sense (with beautifully scored musical interludes) captivates the attention for a spell; however, the third act (switching the gays back to their hateful hetero selves) doesn't exactly inspire the quirky sweetness director and co-screenwriter Tom Gustafson was probably aiming for. *1/2 from ****
robby_nau
This movie is a breath of fresh air. I am so pleased that this movie is part of the gay community's body of work. The movie begins (somewhat predictably) with a young (and adorable) gay teen who struggles with being out at school and within his small town. To cope with the pressures he often escapes into a musical daydream world. To the movie's {and the actors} credit, the music is delightful. I purchased the soundtrack BEFORE the movie was even finished. The movie goes on to see the main character cast in the lead role of the school play by a supportive teacher who turns out to be more than she seems. The drama continues as the young lead character is torn while trying to decide how to best use his new found "Love Potion". If you are considering getting this movie, DON'T HESITATE. I will leave the rest of the spoilers out. While the movie has some predictable moments. And as it is the director's and several of the actor's first movie there are times where I think it cold have been done "A BIT" better. However, it still ranks up there with my all time favorite movies. It captured my imagination and left me in awe. It is TRUE to Shakespeare as well as if the story is EXACTLY what Shakespeare had in mind. Masterfully done and highly recommended. I can't wait to see what this director and the actors bring us next!
Brian W. (greatermind)
I was lucky enough to see this film at the official youth screening at the Vancouver Queer Film Fest. Liked it so much I walked in and stood for the second, sold out, screening that followed. Beautiful scenes, good acting, great concept / plot, absolutely rapturous music... this movie made my heart melt, made me fall in love with the two main characters. This is what movies are supposed to do, and Were the World Mine did this beautifully.This film realizes many a gay boy's high school fantasy, and does it with style and grace. It's poignant, moving. The actors who play Timothy's two best friends nail it. The drama teacher is a woman to be reckoned with. And the two male leads are both gay in real life. I will be buying this one as soon as it comes out. In the meantime I will be listening to music from the film on their MySpace page.
steven-222
I just saw this movie at the San Francisco LGBT festival with a packed house at the Castro Theater, where it provided one of those lightning-in-a-bottle moments that sometimes happen at film fests. Yours truly is a cynical old curmudgeon of a film-goer, and when a movie can win me over this way (along with the rest of the audience) it's like a gift from out of the blue; I found myself not questioning or analyzing the experience, just letting myself give in to pure enjoyment. I'm not surprised that it keeps winning audience awards at festivals; people are grateful when a movie sweeps them up into its own world.How the magic happens here, I don't know, especially since this is a movie by such a relatively inexperienced director. But I think I can put my finger on a few elements that make this mix happen. First, Wendy Robie as the drama teacher. I previously knew her only as crazy Nadine ("silent curtain rollers!") on "Twin Peaks." She's every gay boy's dream teacher from high school, and only gradually do we begin to realize that she must be more than she seems. Second, though the film is called a musical, and there are indeed songs, the use of music is surprisingly sparing. We don't get a big musical number every 15 minutes; instead the songs are used to capture certain states of mind and to introduce magical elements in the story. I actually left the theater wanting more music (a rare experience!). And third, the ugly homophobic elements in the movie at first seem almost jarringly realistic; this serves to heighten the magic of the wish-fulfillment.Magic doesn't always work in movies or on the stage; not every production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" can capture Shakespeare's whimsy. But for me, it does work in this movie, and I'm a little awed by the experience.
AD
