Curiosity of Chance [Import]

Chance Marquis (played by Tad Hilgenbrink, whom some may remember from the "American Pie ... Band Camp" movie) is 16 year old Army brat, living with his stern widower military father and his precocious younger sister in Belgium, where he starts his sophomore year at an "international" school. The school seems to have the typical US high school cliques, rendered a bit more ludicrous by the various accents of the students from various countries. Chance has a definite flair for the dramatic, coming to school his first day wearing a cape, top hat and walking with a cane, which immediately makes him the target of the bullying captain of the football team. Also on the football team, as well as living next door to Chance and his family, is the hunky Levi (Brett Chukerman from "Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds), who quickly becomes the focus of Chance's fantasies, and actually is open-minded enough to befriend Chance, until his buddies on the team tell him it is soooooo not cool to be "friends with a f**." Chance hangs out mostly with two other misfits, the tough and sarcastic Twyla and the nerdy school photographer Hank, who conspire with him to get even with the bully. A night out at a gay club leads to Chance's performing in drag, a fact that becomes widely known at the school, much to Chance's chagrin.

Spot-on writing, a great cast and attention to detail makes "The Curiosity of Chance" (2006) a delightful "coming of age" film about standing up for yourself and your dreams. The setting in the 1980's, complete with clothes, hair and lots of music from that era, can lead to a conclusion that this is really a gay version of a John Hughes-like high school comedy from that era, but with a current sense of activism and self-respect, a la "Napoleon Dynamite." It may have been low budget, but they made the most of every dollar on screen.

Winner of several "best ..." awards at recent stateside gay film festivals, this US production was filmed in Belgium. DVD includes trailer and brief "making of" featurette. Definitely a keeper. I give it five "dramatic pause" stars out of five!

.......gratuitous (although it is a good lip-lock).

((Here is my approach to obtaining/viewing/reviewing Gay tales in film form. Simply, it's seeking the holy grail of that genre, or looking for the "Addictive Film"---that movie one returns to time and again). Selection/purchase is based mainly on finding new releases by favorite directors/screenwriters and/or your comments/reviews at major online film sales or review sites. Sometimes I feel correctly steered by you (the "Keepers" filling my DVD shelves), other times mislead, occasionally badly (the "Throwaways"----and I do toss 'em). Rarely, I come across the "Addictive," those watchable every couple of months or so (see below starred *** area for a list......and some of the "near-Addictive" as well). For some movies, I'll share even a short review with you, as follows below. Thanks for sticking with me so far.))

While this film doesn't merit a lot of comment, here're just a few observations---

- It's cute, it's innocuous and it's in no way innovative. What it does do is reinforce---in a fun way---the principles of standing up for oneself, appreciating the friends one does have and, most importantly, keeping hope (re: that last 2-person scene).

- This definitely will appeal to the high school crowd (what's really goin' on here---is this just a little different take on the "High School Musical" theme?).

- Just a thought or two about our leads---Hilgenbrink: a little "one-note" in his come-across (but at only age 23 or so when shooting, and with not much in past filmed performances, he has the greater potential of the two male leads) // Chuckerman: just because you're cute doesn't mean you can act (gonna get in trouble for that one---from girls, maybe boys) and gave a rather wooden performance (he was much better at "dragging us into the picture" with his performance in the year 2000 Short: "Crush"). Do have to allow him this, though---the facial expression he gives us, while walking away after "the kiss," was a priceless moment // Aldevina Da Silva's work here was tippy-top above the rest. If there's an award for this sort of thing, it belongs to her.

***If you want something better in the gay teenager mode, try one of these: "C.R.A.Z.Y" C.R.A.Z.Y. // "Summer Storm" Summer Storm // "The Mudge Boy" The Mudge Boy // "The Last Day" The Last Day

****

I bought this film at a local store and wasn't to sure what to expect. I went in with a low expectation but I was really suprised by the overall quality of the movie. It had a good script,acting and excellent sound and picture quality. My boyfriend and I after watching it both thought that it was worth watching and will watch it again. a good one to keep on the shelf