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Jeffrey:Movie Review (Draft 2):

Introduction:

For this review, I will be reviewing the 1995 motion-picture "Jeffrey",which faces such unduly topics as:homosexuality,cross-dressing,HIV/AIDS and sex. We see these topics through the eye's of the main character Jeffrey,(played by Stephen Weber) who swears to celibacy due to confusing experiences.

Plot:


In the beginning we find out that Jeffrey is a gay sexual-compulsive who wants to give up his addiction due to some overwhelming experiences he has encounted in the past.

As soon as jeffrey takes his oath, he goes to a local gym to burn off his desires. That is when he bumps into Steve Howard, ( Michael T. Weiss from "The Pretender") a fellow homosexual. After a couple of minutes lifting weights together, they become the object of each others affection. As soon as Steve kisses Jeffrey,(animated pic below)Jeffrey's vowel is broken.

But Jeffrey doesn't give up on his promise. It is then that Jeffrey asks for advice from his gay friends: Sterling (Patrick Stewart from Star Trek, I bet you didn't see that one coming!!) and Darius (Bryan Butt). When Sterling and Darius set their friend up wih dear Steve, Jeffrey finds out that Steve is HIV+ which confuses him even more.

Steve gets really pissed-off with Jeffrey for standing him up on their first date, (see the look in his eyes in the picture below,as he tries to shake of the frustration of being rejected?) but with a lot of swearing and apologising Steve finally forgives Jeffrey.

Then, one night at the opera Darius has a fall (down about 20 stairs!) and is taken to hospital, where he dies in a coma. Darius then talks to Jeffrey in spirit and convinces him to to give Steve a go. Jeffrey then decides to move back to Massachusetts, but meets Steve at Gay Pride Day while he was organising all of the floats.

That's when Steve stops Jeffery from going and then Jeffrey finds out that Stev has a boyfriend called Sean. Jeffrey rings up Steve and they meet at a hotel, have an arguement or two, make up then make out.

The movie is sealed with a kiss.

Characteristics:

Ther are many well known actors in this movie including:
  • Stephen Weber ( also known for his role as a father who's body is taken ofer by a mean ghost in Stephen King's "The Shining").
  • Michael T. Weiss ( known for his role of Jarod Russell in "The Pretender" amongst many other T.V/Movie roles e.g a doctor in Days Of Our Lives in the 80's-early 90's.
  • Patrick Stewart (Star Trek,Robin Hood men in tights etc..etc..).
  • Bryan Batt(Don't have a clue what he's been in).
  • and....Nathan Lane (He plays a gay catholic priest in "Jeffrey". And can be seen in many other movies like Mouse Hunt, and can be heard as Timon on the Lion King :1&2. He also can be seen performing on Broadway from one time to the next.
These actors have to be some of the best actors I have ever seen perform, and have portrayed their characters very well. I think that the job that they have done in this film is very realistic, as I actually know some homosexuals ( one actually does have Aids, another makes costumes for the mardi-gra and wears them in the special presentation), and the cast act just like my friends do. So if you ask me the characterisation is very realistic.

Characteristics:

The main issues in this film are as mentioned earlier in the introduction which are : homosexuality, cross-dressing and...sex. Many people can't are unable to see the point of why people get so embarassed when talking about these subjects. They are all just part of life. No big need for people to get into a fit over someone who they think is different. Homophobics for example, should think about how it makes the person they are accusing feel when they tease them or avoid them. The only thing that needs to be avoided is criticism. But in a nutshell I guess everybody has an opinion, on every aspect of life whether they think it is good or bad.

BUT HEY!! Think about this :WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT. IT IS GOOD TO BE DIFFERENT.

IF WE WERE ALL THE SAME THINK HOW BORING LIFE WOULD BE..

When it comes to the characters I think they need to open up when it comes to the delicate issues faced in this movie. So that they can cope easier with the issues they come to deal with.

Technics (F/X):

There are many close-ups in this film and some scenes shot where the characters (except for the one whos talking) all freeze in motion, sort of like a still frame or photo. You can hardly even see them breathing come to think of it. All of the scenes are shot in different locations too. Not many of the scenes are shot in the same place, actually.

Such scenery includes:

  • Gay Pride Day-Massive Oval,under a pergola, and in the city streets with hundreds of extras.
  • Jeffrey's House-His Kitchen and Loungeroom.
  • Jeffrey's Parents Place-Their Kitchen and Loungeroom.
  • Steve's appartment- Out the front of it and in his Loungeroom.
  • Sterling and Darius' House-Loungeroom and Hallway.
  • The Church-The Old storeroom,confession booths and main Hall.
  • Therapy Class-Up on stage talking about you emotions
  • Entertainment Centre?-Talking to "America's Hottest Post-Evangelist".
  • The city streets-in the scene where Steve asks Jeffrey out and tells about him having Aids.And the scenes where Steve sees Jeffrey at a coffee shop when he said he was working late,and where Jeffrey gets beat up by a homophobic gang.And also where he gets hit by a truck and sees Mother Teresa.
  • Country Ho-down for Aids-doing some dirty dancing and being "Cater waiters".
  • The shops-Where he gets advice from Sterling.
  • "It's Just Sex"-A Game show of infinite possibilities.
Believe it or not I've run out of scenes....

As for make-up and Costumes, a show with cross-dressing in it would have such things wouldn't it, otherwise it wouldn't be about cross-dressing. But I must remark about a cross-dresser on stilts wearing a green and silver Fairy dress throwing gliter around saying "YIPPEE!!" when he does it at Gay Pride Day, is a very funny sight!!.

The End!!