Bubbeh Lee & Me

Andy Wilson is a 32-year-old gay man who for half his life has traveled to Florida to visit his now 87-year-old bubbeh (grandmother) Lee. In this "video diary" of one such trip, originally shown on HBO, Andy explains his special connection to his bubbeh, and tells us how her assertive nature inspired him to be true to himself while surviving in a straight world. Lee, whose motto is "make a stand, put your best foot forward, and don't take any crap!" relates how her emotionally deprived childhood led her to withhold love from her husband and children. In voice-overs Andy says he grew up confused about both his sexuality and his "half Jewish, half midwestern" heritage. In between family revelations, we follow the pair to supermarkets, the community pool, and see Andy meeting Lee's friends while fending off Jewish matchmakers. While sometimes funny and poignant, the video is a bit uneven. Too many shots of Lee returning items at the supermarket are good examples of cinema verite, but reveal little extra about character. We need to know more about Andy's life as a gay man back in San Francisco, and the film's brief running time can't allow for a full portrait of an obviously complex and rich relationship. Optional. Aud: C, P. (S. Rees)