Bedrooms & Hallways

A light-hearted and open-minded romp through modern relationships, Bedrooms & Hallways follows the antics of two gay London roommates: Leo (Kevin McKidd), who joins a “men's group” and promptly announces he has the hots for Brendan (James Purefoy), who--it turns out-- is breaking up with Sally (recent Tony winner Jennifer Ehle), who--wait for it--was once Leo's high-school amour, and Darren, in love with s real estate broker who doesn't want to be seen with him in public but loves to tie him up. It's all great British fun, and a wonderful date movie for couples of any persuasion (as well as a huge step up for director Rose Troche, whose first film, Go Fish, was weighed down with several tons of political correctness). With McKidd's great physical humor, Purefoy's angelic good looks and Ehle's ability to play the “straight woman” in more ways than one, Bedrooms & Hallways bustles along briskly with intricate party scenes, dream sequences with men dressed like characters from Austen novels, and achingly funny yet surprisingly kind send-ups of a men's sensitivity group (where the men experience “rebirthing,” bond in the sauna, and share anxieties over an “honesty stone”). All of the characters have redeeming qualities, everyone gets a chance at love, and no one suffers (in fact, you'll hardly notice the hasty and lackluster denouement of this frothy film). In the tradition of other wonderful films that wed significant humor and romantic energy, such as Parting Glances or Desk Set, Troche's latest sports very little actual flesh, but in the best British tradition, plenty of sexual and scatological humor. Recommended. (K. G. Schneider)