Boyfriends

Chronicling bittersweet betrayals and romantic redemption, Boyfriends tells the story of three gay couples who venture to an idyllic English cottage in the countryside for a "holiday." Billed as a "queer Big Chill of the 90s," this film focuses on the emotional inner lives of three life-long friends and their lovers, while examining modern gay etiquette. Aiming for a realistic look at the nature of same-sex relationships in the 90s, the directors Tom Hunsinger and Neil Hunter came up with the storyline and characters through improvisation with their actors. The dialogue is sharp and witty, sometimes even biting, but the characters are frequently left flapping in the wind, not strong enough to fully engage the viewer--especially when so much of the plot seems to be little more than an exercise in bed-hopping and playing 'who's with who' (the latter acted out in a not-so-deeply metaphoric predictable game of Twister). Optional. (A. Glover)