Friends & Family

Comment: ... when I heard the downbeat to Luther Henderson's clever arrangement and former Metropolitan Opera star Eileen Farrell's coy vocal of "I'm Old Fashioned" during the opening credits. I wasn't disappointed; "FRIENDS & FAMILY" delivers. There aren't a whole lot of gay-themed movies out there that are suitable for the entire family, but this is one of them. Kudos to Wolfe Video for releasing this gem on DVD.

Comment: Well-scripted, well-acted, well-produced movie with a comic twist. A unique film that features gay characters.

Comment: "Friends and Family"

Laughs for All

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

"Friends and Family" is like a breeze on a hot summer day. It is one of those comedies like they used to make with plenty of laughs for laughs sake alone. The story is about a gay couple who are hit men for the Mafia. A situation like this leaves the field open for jokes about stereotypes but that is not what we have. Instead there are plotlines that are crazy and fun and are intertwined in plotlines that are chock full of wit and good jokes. In fact, the movie eschews stereotypes while using camp humor to the utmost.
This is by no means a great film but it is an entertainment and good characterization. Tovah Feldshuh gives a great performance and I have always loved her. It is good to see her in a movie that deals with the gay community.
I watched the movie twice. As I watched it the first time, I thought to myself that behind the jokes there is something else here so I watched it again and loved the story and the plot. When the parents drop in for a visit to Stephen and Danny and have no problem with the guys being gay. What they do not know is that they work for the Patrizzi family as bodyguard and enforcers. The guys do not have to pretend to be straight for the parents but they do have to pretend that they have real jobs so they pose as caterers. When the militia, a couple of drag queens, and two gay bodyguards get together, you can expect a bunch of laughs.
The movie gives a new twist on an old story. Granted some of the situations are not quite believable, they are still very funny. Some of the laughs come from classic misrepresentations--kept secrets, gay marriage, and disappointed dads. Nowhere does the film take itself seriously but the lovely message of truth and romance and being true to oneself runs throughout.
There is a good deal of sexual suggestion here and that is just what it is--suggestion. The gay guys do not even kiss on screen. The gay characters in the film are realistic and likeable and are the heroes of the action. This is the kind of movie that you go into having only the expectation of being entertained. The two gay men, Stephen and Danny, are good looking and great eye candy even though they never touch each other. The fact that they are gay is spoken of but not visible on the screen and several people have taken issue with this. It did not bother me in the least. I enjoyed the movie for just what it is--a good comedy. Even without physical contact, the final scene is erotic and beautifully done.

Comment: Perhaps because I wasn't expecting much, I was very pleasantly surprised by this film. It is a farce, but it plays with audience preconceptions as much as character relationships. The two lead characters (in what is really a largely ensemble film) are two male lovers-- for all intents and purposes an old married couple-- who work together. Their job? The are strongarm and hitmen for a mafia don. The don loves them as if they were family, and they are equally affectionate and protective of him. Though both are Italian, he bemoans the fact that they are not Sicilian, for if they were he would be tempted to leave them the family "business". He has two sons-- both of whom are straight, married, and fathers-- but neither seems cut out for, or indeed, desirous of taking over the business (one wishes to be a chef and the other a designer). The don also has a beautiful daughter, who is more into, and interested in, the family "business" than either of her brothers. She is devoted to our two heroes, as is her father, and indeed all of her family.

Trouble in paradise lumbers onto the picture when the parents of one of the hitmen decide to surprise him by visiting. This causes a great deal of consternation-- not because of the gay relationship he is in, which his parents not only know about but seem to enthusiastically accept-- but because he has not told them of his own "profession"-- and his parents think he and his partner run a catering business. It is further complicated by the fact that his father is a secret "deep cover" FBI (or is it CIA?) agent, which his mother does not know. Worse yet, the father would be obligated to turn the son and partner in if he knew. At the same time, the Don's daughter becomes engaged to a young man from the midwest, whose parents, on learning of the engagement, decide to visit NYC-- not primarily to see their son, but to launch "the second American revolution" to free the country from the occupying army of the federal government. (Yes, they're looney-tunes).

This all could be egregiously formulaic and cutesy... and indeed, I agree with other reviewers in the observation that it seems odd the lead couple never even give each other a peck on the cheek. But the whole thing is handled in an agreeably breezy, appropriately farcical way. For example, Stephen, the hitman whose mother and father are coming to visit, is on them phone with his mother who is bemoaning the violence and danger of New York City, while he and his lover dress, a major element of which is loading and hiding (in their clothing) their various impressive firearms. Much of the humor is handled in this deadpan way. At any rate, these very interesting and oddly matched ingredients are all poured over ice, stirred, and -- voila! Ecce Farce. Not Moliere or Feydeau, but a very amiable and humorous cocktail which should please most palates. I rarely suggest "gay" themed films to my straight friends but this is one I think I will suggest... it might not evoke belly laughs, but there is nothing wrong with some delighted chuckling. Most of all, the film doesn't have delusions of grandeur, as "verkakte" as it is... moreover it is pleasantly well-acted by most of the cast. So if you'd like an amusing, very droll and generally very drily humorous little film, you could do a helluva lot worse than this! Get a nice cold drink and settle back and enjoy.

Into their tidy if admittedly nef

Comment:
(or my bequeathed Alternate Title for this film): "Enforcers for the Mauve"

{1-Star awarded for cinematography / 1-Star awarded for lead 'hunkiness'}

About this film, everybody's already said it before me; I'm just a Johnny-come-lately. Yet, maybe I can add something to the mix.....even if only a little differently (but I'm not even gonna get into the 'disrespectful-to-Gays' thing mentioned by others).

(NOTE: Now, be warned, it only took me 2 1/2 years to pull "F and F" back out of my DVD collection and watch it this second time).

Well, Mary.........let me tell you, this is just so blatantly Gay. Why, sister, there's even one same-sex hand clasp scene in the whole movie. Beyond that, what a waste of 2 perfectly good hunks. (For you edification, read our two lead actor Bios at Imdb.com; these 2 guys have more of a "connection" off-screen than on......and that's not saying much).

PS--Oh, and don't forget to check out the "School for Swish" scenes (with Edward Hibbert as its Dean.....you won't wanna miss em?).

PPS--Kinda sad to have the sexual 'descriptive,' Gay, associated with this. Save yer DVD-buying money, folks.

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