'MO - February 2009 - (Page 30)

p/reviews Click here to comment on these stories. NEW ON DVD Tru Loved Reviewed by Matthew McQuilkin Directing: B+ Acting: B+ Writing: B+ Cinematography: B Editing: B Overall: B+ Tru Loved has been widely dismissed as “ﬂuff,” and there’s some truth in that—it is ﬂuff, and of the idealistically multiethnic variety to boot. But Najarra Townsend and Jake Abel as “Tru” and “Trevor” in Tru so what? As long as the Loved, on DVD this month. movie works—which Tru Love does, at least most he tries to do. The “climactic” wedding scene is the film’s weakest moof the time—then it’s ment, when certain people “see the light” so quickly that you wonder if worth a look. they have multiple personality disorder. The “Tru” of the title Amazingly, none of this mutes the inherent charm of Tru Loved, is short for Gertrude, the which has its heart in the right place, right where it touches yours. The high school Junior who plot arc may seem a bit like oversimplified after-school-special fare, but has been moved out of that’s rendered nearly inconsequential with so much surprisingly witty the seemingly gay-topian and funny dialog. San Francisco to a small, This is helped in no small part by the supporting cast, which is like a conservative Southern who’s who of D-list gay celebrities and/or gay icons. Alec Mapa is one California town—by her of Tru’s closeted—and yet fabulously witty—teachers. Jane Lynch is his lesbian moms. best friend. Bruce Vilanch is Gertrude’s boyfriend’s reclusive gay author Writer-director Stewuncle. Jasmine Guy is Lodell’s mother; Nichelle Nichols is his grandart Wade is a little vague mother. The only person who seems to be missing is Kathy Griffin. in his characterization All of these people—but especially Mapa and Nichols—give Tru of this town’s conservatism, given the total absence of any indication Loved its consistency of charming entertainment. Admittedly the story that the lesbian moms have any trouble there. All the homophobia we is transparently formulaic, but the characters come across as genuine see takes place at the high school where Tru is the new kid, made fun enough that you hardly notice. Movies with this large a cast, with so of as a “freak” because of her gay parents (including her gay dads she many recognizable faces (at least with its target audience), rarely work left behind in San Francisco). A black schoolmate named Lodell (Matthis well. But not only is Tru Loved laudable in its unique presentation of thew Thompson) asks her out in defiance of his friends giving her a gays and lesbians and the challenges they face in today’s world, but it’s hard time, and eventually uses that relationship as a cover for his own a genuinely funny and heartwarming story about love and friendship. homosexuality. There’s a lot of idealism and even optimism Between Tru’s two sets of gay parents, in Tru Loved, which cynical viewers will be her gay teachers, her closeted gay boyfriend, quick to dismiss. Some of us think we could her gay friend with whom she starts a gayuse more of that at the local multiplex these straight alliance, and the straight boyfriend days. At its core, sure, it’s ﬂuff. But it couldn’t she meets at the first GSA meeting, there’s a have delivered such satisfying warm fuzzies lot going on here—most of it gay in one way without it. or another. On top of this, Wade includes two multi-racial relationships, which add adMatthew McQuilkin writes reviews for every movie ditional complications (and opportunities for he sees in original theatrical release. some delicately balanced humor). His reviews can be found online at Wade has too much happening to have any http://cinema-holic.livejournal.com. Gay favorites Alec Mapa and Jane Lynch simple or believable tying of loose ends in the co-star in Tru Loved, out on DVD this space of 102 minutes, but that’s exactly what month. 30 celebrating seattle’s gay community http://cinema-holic.livejournal.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of 'MO - February 2009

'MO - February 2009 Contents Letter From The Editor Voices Pet Project Gay Softball League Seeks New Players Instant Activist: Two Opportunities to Make a Difference Bailey-Boushay’s Chefs’ Dinner Pulls in More Than $285,000 GLSEN Releases Report on LGBT Students of Color Gay City Health Project: Race Relations Form & Function: Partner Workout Power Couple: Senator Ed Murray and Michael Shiosaki Montréal The ’mo Interview: Joe DiPietro New on DVD: Tru Loved Coming to CD/DVD: The Annie Lennox Collection SceneOut: People@Places AIDS Awareness & Action Day 2009 Capitol Hill Guide

'MO - February 2009

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