Jeffrey
2/4
Starring: Steven Weber, Patrick Stewart, Michael T. Weiss, Bryan Batt
Rated R for Strong Sexuality and Language
What a weird movie.
"Jeffrey" is as unconventional as they come. From the bizarre asides that show what the lead character is feeling (the movie takes the "show, not tell" rule to new heights) to humorous asides which include weightlifting as a metaphor for sex and advice from a randy priest, this is not a normal movie. But for all the cleverness and rule-breaking the film does, it doesn't work. The comedy isn't funny, the acting is flat, and the writing is shallow.
Jeffrey (Weber) is a sexually compulsive gay man. But the AIDS crisis and a number of bizarre in-bed experiences has led him to give up sex. Then he meets Steve (Weiss), a handsome man at the gym. Steve is interested in him and the feeling is mutual, but thinking that it would lead to uninhibited sex, Jeffrey bails. Eventually, Jeffrey agrees to date Steve, but then Steve drops a bombshell: he's HIV positive.
I have to at least give the film credit for doing something different. Screenwriter Paul Rudnick (adapting from his play) and director Christopher Ashley fill the movie with all sorts of weird wackiness. For example, in examining his feelings about his sexual life, the film throws Jeffrey, his friend Sterling (Stewart), and a waiter into an impromptu (and imagined) game show. Then Sigourney Weaver (in an over-the-top and not particularly convincing performance) as "the nation's hottest post-modern evangelist." Then there's Mother Theresa (Irma St. Paul), who shows up when Jeffrey gets injured. Finally, in the film's wittiest scene, Jeffrey talks about sex with his mother (Debra Monk) and father (Peter Maloney).
Unfortunately, the result isn't nearly as entertaining or even interesting as it sounds. The asides are part of the problem. They take away our attention from the characters, who are flat enough as it is. As such, our interest in Jeffrey, Steve, Sterling or Sterling's ditzy lover Darius (Batt) is minimal. This wouldn't be much of a problem if the comedy was actually funny, but it's not. It's at best, mildly amusing, and at worst, tedious.
The acting isn't particularly good. Steven Weber is pretty bad as Jeffrey. Instead of a guy whose fears we understand and feel for, Jeffrey becomes a neurotic loser whose treatment of Steve borders on emotional abuse. I kept waiting for him to get his act together and stop being such a jerk. Patrick Stewart, a powerful and versatile actor (who seems to be willing to do any kind of role), is surprisingly flat, although considering the limitations of the script, it's not really his fault. Bryan Batt is certainly ditzy enough, but he suffers from the same problem. Frankly, the only one worth feeling for is Steve, although the way his character is introduced is a little offensive.
In the end, the only pleasurable thing about this movie is spotting the stars (which, in addition to the ones listed, include Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski, and Kathy Najimi) and seeing what kind of wacky aside is coming next. That's not nearly enough cause to watch this movie though.
Starring: Steven Weber, Patrick Stewart, Michael T. Weiss, Bryan Batt
Rated R for Strong Sexuality and Language
What a weird movie.
"Jeffrey" is as unconventional as they come. From the bizarre asides that show what the lead character is feeling (the movie takes the "show, not tell" rule to new heights) to humorous asides which include weightlifting as a metaphor for sex and advice from a randy priest, this is not a normal movie. But for all the cleverness and rule-breaking the film does, it doesn't work. The comedy isn't funny, the acting is flat, and the writing is shallow.
Jeffrey (Weber) is a sexually compulsive gay man. But the AIDS crisis and a number of bizarre in-bed experiences has led him to give up sex. Then he meets Steve (Weiss), a handsome man at the gym. Steve is interested in him and the feeling is mutual, but thinking that it would lead to uninhibited sex, Jeffrey bails. Eventually, Jeffrey agrees to date Steve, but then Steve drops a bombshell: he's HIV positive.
I have to at least give the film credit for doing something different. Screenwriter Paul Rudnick (adapting from his play) and director Christopher Ashley fill the movie with all sorts of weird wackiness. For example, in examining his feelings about his sexual life, the film throws Jeffrey, his friend Sterling (Stewart), and a waiter into an impromptu (and imagined) game show. Then Sigourney Weaver (in an over-the-top and not particularly convincing performance) as "the nation's hottest post-modern evangelist." Then there's Mother Theresa (Irma St. Paul), who shows up when Jeffrey gets injured. Finally, in the film's wittiest scene, Jeffrey talks about sex with his mother (Debra Monk) and father (Peter Maloney).
Unfortunately, the result isn't nearly as entertaining or even interesting as it sounds. The asides are part of the problem. They take away our attention from the characters, who are flat enough as it is. As such, our interest in Jeffrey, Steve, Sterling or Sterling's ditzy lover Darius (Batt) is minimal. This wouldn't be much of a problem if the comedy was actually funny, but it's not. It's at best, mildly amusing, and at worst, tedious.
The acting isn't particularly good. Steven Weber is pretty bad as Jeffrey. Instead of a guy whose fears we understand and feel for, Jeffrey becomes a neurotic loser whose treatment of Steve borders on emotional abuse. I kept waiting for him to get his act together and stop being such a jerk. Patrick Stewart, a powerful and versatile actor (who seems to be willing to do any kind of role), is surprisingly flat, although considering the limitations of the script, it's not really his fault. Bryan Batt is certainly ditzy enough, but he suffers from the same problem. Frankly, the only one worth feeling for is Steve, although the way his character is introduced is a little offensive.
In the end, the only pleasurable thing about this movie is spotting the stars (which, in addition to the ones listed, include Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski, and Kathy Najimi) and seeing what kind of wacky aside is coming next. That's not nearly enough cause to watch this movie though.
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