Men in Love (1990) [N/A]
Featuring:
Doug Self, Joe Tolbe, Emerald Starr
Written by:
Scott Catamas
Emerald Starr
Directed by:
Marc Huestis
Release Date:
May 26, 1990
Original Title:
Men in Love
Ratings / Certifications:
N/A
Runtime: 85
Mark Huestis' low-budget, shot-on-video feature casts Doug Self as Steven, a young San Francisco man whose lover Victor has just died of AIDS. Following Victor's dying wishes to have his ashes scattered in Maui, Steven travels to the Hawaii-based New Age community founded by Victor's former partner Robert (Emerald Starr). Despite an edgy relationship with Robert, who never visited Victor in his final months, Steven finds romance with the camp gardener Peter (Joe Tolbe), a matter complicated by the fact that Steven has never undergone an HIV test. Robert admits that he, too, has never had an AIDS test--his fear of death is the reason why he built his closed-off island community. After hearing of another friend's AIDS-related death, Steven leaves Peter behind to return to California
I caught this at a Gay & Lesbian Film Festival back in 1990. There were two showings at 7:00 and 9:00 and the director was to be at both. I attended the 9:00 showing and I heard the 7:00 showing was a disaster. People were howling in laughter at the "serious" parts or walking out cause they were bored silly. Obviously the director was not in the best of moods when he introduced the 9:00 showing. He said, "If you find yourself laughing during the film ask yourself why you're laughing." (?????) Well after about 30 minutes in I could tell him why I was laughing. It was TERRIBLE!!! The scenery was beautiful and some of the guys were hot but the dialogue was just dreadful. All the characters came across as idiots and all the "healing" sessions were more funny than interesting. Me and my friends sat there hoping it would get better but it never did. One or two mildly hot sex scenes were nice but that's hardly enough to recommend the movie. I think this has disappeared since 1990...and that's a good thing! Boring and pointless. A 1 all the way.
