Were the World Mine (2008)

Tanner Cohen can not sing. Why he thinks he can, I do not know. Why others think he can, I do not know. The director seems infatuated with him. He keeps using him.This dreadful mess lurches and sways its way from one ridiculous scene after another. I mean, how many scenes am I supposed to take that feature singing men in undershorts and or fairy wings? And the songs. Oh God, some of them play out like a Ukrainian funeral march.Look, maybe it's me. I am a gay man--maybe the only gay man--who doesn't get it. I was endlessly tempted to hit the fast forward to spare myself any more. Is it the fact that I find Cohen less than talented and boring? Honestly I don't know. But I'd rather suffer a years worth of bikini waxes than to sit through this monstrosity again.

Man…I would use that flower over. And over. And over.Okay. Now that's, well, over, I must say: what a fantastically romantic, musical and powerful movie Were the World Mine was. And this is coming from someone who barely likes musicals (to date and prior to this movie, I've only really took to Chicago, The Sound of Music and The Wizard of Oz) or Shakespeare.Yeah, I'm really not into the so-called master Shakespeare's plays/movie adaptations. But a friend of mine convinced me to finally view this "love story" and boy I'm glad I did. It's the best gay-themed movie (or musical) I've seen in years.Sports jock Timothy (Cohen, who apparently runs his own band in real life – The Guts) is influenced by his – AWESOME! (Sorry, gay-moment there) – teacher (Robie) to try out for one of the "fairies" in the school's adaptation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" despite the backlash he'll have from his stereotypical and homophobic teammates. He joins with the boy of his dreams and learns a lot along the way…such as the love potion #9 of sorts.Meanwhile there are some subplots that are not 100% relevant, but entertaining nonetheless. Such as Timothy's mother's new door-to-door career which includes homophobia and more gay bashing across the town.I asked a straight friend of mine that I have regular "straight talks" with to hear the other side of the fence's POV about how rampant homophobia still is. He told me, without hesitation, that it was still out there and strong. This is both sad and depressing. I was overwhelmed in this movie on how MUCH they portrayed gay-bashing and thought that since I rarely see/hear it, that it was actually unrealistic in the film and it's actually going away. So naïve!I hate hate. And I could not belong to any group that consistently ragged on any creed, sexuality, color, race, or ANY group of people. So, I guess I've sheltered myself from the prejudices that not only still exist but are actually encouraged. Ouch.Well, I'm not going to downgrade this movie. If anything, I'll praise it for being a duel fantasy and realistic film. It gives you a nice romantic and fantastic journey through a real life setting using musical segments that are never unrealistic. Much like Chicago, there were reasons behind the "Break out and Dance, Everyone!" sequences. And those musicals are the only ones I like.Okay, as I've mentioned, I am NOT a Shakespeare fan. I won't knock him or his writing – who am I, anyways? – but that said, I'm not familiar with the basic plot of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" though I knew it existed. I found it rather strange that some mystical "happenings" occurred towards the very end of this film, Were the World Mine, such as the aforementioned flower that I would use over and over. Apparently this magical love-dipped flower casts spells to make love happen despite sex and sexuality. Timothy uses, or abuses, this power, with some humorous side-effects and the only cure can be in, well, the climax. Thanks, teach.Though this is really…REALLY…geared to gay audiences, I would highly recommend this extremely light-hearted and wonderfully choreographed film with great songs/music to all audiences. I had very few gripes and one involved the f-bomb in the closing that, to me, was completely unnecessary. This could've easily be PG and left to a broader audience. Nevertheless, if you can get past that (or bleep it for some audiences), this is really for all ages.

I was lucky enough to see this film at the official youth screening at the Vancouver Queer Film Fest. Liked it so much I walked in and stood for the second, sold out, screening that followed. Beautiful scenes, good acting, great concept / plot, absolutely rapturous music... this movie made my heart melt, made me fall in love with the two main characters. This is what movies are supposed to do, and Were the World Mine did this beautifully.This film realizes many a gay boy's high school fantasy, and does it with style and grace. It's poignant, moving. The actors who play Timothy's two best friends nail it. The drama teacher is a woman to be reckoned with. And the two male leads are both gay in real life. I will be buying this one as soon as it comes out. In the meantime I will be listening to music from the film on their MySpace page.

Though it may be labeled as a gay/lesbian film, this is a witty and lovely takeoff on "A Midsummer's Night Dream." The acting by all the principals, particularly by appealing lead Tanner Cohen, Judy McKane as his mother, and Wendy Robie as the school drama teacher, is first-rate. The art direction, music and especially the cinematography help create a magical quality as the story enters the realm of Midsummer fantasy. Director Thomas Gustafson skilfully develops believable characters, manages complicated plot twists, and never loses the thread of "what if" that is essential to a retelling of Shakespeare's timeless story. Like the characters, you'll be enchanted by this small-budget but high-quality film.