Tennessee Queer

An engaging comedy with an easygoing message about equality and tolerance, Tennessee Queer stars Christian Walker as Jason, a New York City-based librarian who is tricked by his family into paying a visit to his tiny hometown of Smythe, TN, where he is heavily lobbied by his mother, siblings, and other relatives to return home and take a position at the local library. His family also promises that Jason—as a gay man—will find that Smythe has changed from a town once violently opposed to homosexuals to one with at least a few gay bars. However, Jason's been offered a job in London (where he intends to move with his partner), so he devises a plan for getting the family off his back. Pitching an outrageous proposal to Smythe's city council that he organize a full-blown gay pride parade down the main street, Jason is completely caught by surprise when his petition is accepted. Although reluctant, Jason soon finds himself helping the town's gay community to come out of hiding. Billie Worley is very funny and also quite menacing as a would-be candidate for Smythe mayor who is determined to stop Jason while also pressuring gay students into joining a “rehabilitation” program. Directors Mark Jones (who also wrote the script) and Ryan Parker bring a wry and appealing humor to this engaging film that also captures the essence of life for gays living in isolation in a small town. Recommended. (T. Keogh)