Urbania (Full Screen)

If you can make it through an annoyingly fragmented opening montage during which debut director/co-writer Jon Shear (a former actor) establishes both the characters and the various strands that will eventually constitute the bulk of the narrative, there's much to admire in this subdued study of sadness, alienation and urban mythology, loosely based on the stageplay 'Urban Folk Tales' by co-writer Daniel Reitz. Futterman (THE BIRDCAGE) is superb as a man torn apart at the seams by grief, seeking closure through his pursuit of a rough stranger (Ball), for reasons which are only made clear toward the end of the movie. The 'gay' element is introduced casually, about 18 minutes into the picture, and Matt Keeslar (Johnathon Schaech's gorgeous co-star in Gregg Araki's SPLENDOR) plays Futterman's boyfriend with loving grace - their scenes together are warm, tender and sexy. A fine supporting cast adds new twists to familiar scenarios: Alan Cumming is dignified as a former party animal now dying from an AIDS-related illness; Ball plays a thug with repressed gay tendencies, igniting real emotional sparks with Futterman during their final confrontation; and there are memorable extended cameos from the likes of Lothaire Bluteau (JESUS OF MONTREAL), Josh Hamilton (ALIVE) and Paige Turco (TV's "The Agency"). The climax foregoes melodrama for low-key catharsis, but Futterman's tragedy is emphasized by a brittle script and Shear's tightly-controlled direction, and the results are quietly engaging. Quirky, dramatic and heartfelt, URBANIA is an unusual entry in recent gay cinema, and worth a look.

The movie runs 104m 53s on Trimark's region 1 DVD, and is letterboxed at approx. 1.85:1 (anamorphically enhanced, though you wouldn't know it from the packaging). Photographed in Super 16 and blown up to 35mm for theatrical release, the image is OK, though a little grainy in places. Released to theaters with a Dolby Digital soundtrack, the DVD features a Dolby 5.1 mix which is mostly unobtrusive, yet fully immersive when necessary. Extras include an entertaining audio commentary involving Shear, Futterman, Cumming and co-star Gabriel Olds, along with a trailer and a number of deleted scenes. English subtitles and closed captions are provided.

NB. Samuel Ball played the mugger whose life is changed forever during a late night encounter with Joey Potter (Katie Holmes) in 'Downtown Crossing', a memorable stand-alone episode of TV's "Dawson's Creek" which first aired in 2002. And look fast during URBANIA for a brief cameo by Christopher Bradley, the hunky co-star of David DeCoteau's LEATHER JACKET LOVE STORY.

Without going into further detail about why I was crying (that would ruin the movie, yes?) , I will say that this film revolves around the gay main character Charlie (Dan Futterman, in a wonderfully believable performance) and his search for inner peace after a horrific experience leaves him lonely and traumatized. The key to begin healing, Charlie believes, is finding the man "that will make it all better". This man, Dean, played by Samuel Ball, is a rugged, handsome, heterosexual male. Dean has a snake/heart tattoo and smokes his cigarettes with seductive ease.

The big question is:

"What would Charlie, a depressed young gay male, want with a character like Dean?"

That question gets answered in the final minutes of the movie, when everything is out in the open and HARSH reality sets in.

This movie is set in the dark shadows of New York City -- entirely at night, which gives the movie a creepier feel than it would have had it been set in complete daylight.

There are scenes in which urban legends are present -- in fact, this movie is encircled by a web of them -- the one night stand with AIDS, the woman who microwaved her dog in an effort to dry it.. they're all here. Their presence really has no point to the movie whatsoever, other than to show that sometimes even the most horrific urban legends are not nearly as terrible as real life can be.

Matt Keeslar plays a beautiful role as Charlie's boyfriend, who is only seen in the movie through Charlie's flashbacks. I can honestly say that I feel Chris is a sweet soul, and his relationship with Charlie is one of the kindest and most loving I have ever seen on film, rivaling even the greatest and most convincing heterosexual relationships.

Another actor in the movie worth mentioning is, the one and only Alan Cumming, who delivers a great performace once again (I can't tell you how much I love this guy -- ehh, but that's beside the point) Alan Cumming plays Charlie's AIDS stricken-friend Brett whom Charlie visits during his evening escapades.

The plot of the movie is not dependent on the sexuality of its caracters completely -- this film, in fact, DESTROYS all myths that gay men are all about casual sex, drugs, and clubs (as seen in Party Monster and Queer as Folk). It also DESTROYS all myths that gay men are superficial, blatantly feminine, and stupid (as seen in The Birdcage). URBANIA focuses on true love between two people, and the loss that comes with it, and the overwhelming feeling to have revenge -- feelings that are universal and not dependent on sexuality.

Urbania made my blood boil at the end. I was confronted with feelings of surprise, hate, sadness, anger, and awe. I would like to state up front that this movie HAS SCENES OF GRAPHIC, REAL, HATE-MOTIVATED VIOLENCE that, after viewing flashbacks and getting to know the characters, some may not be able to tolerate. I have watched this movie twice, and, upon the second viewing, I had to leave the room when the ending approached. Granted, Kill Bill is a very violent movie, but it also did not have the harsh reality that Urbania has.

If you are someone who is offended by gay men or homosexuality in general, then I'm sorry, although I wish you would give this movie a chance -- maybe it would change your perceptions a bit?

This movie is disturbing, but REAL (with the exceptions of the urban legends that crop up every now and then). The love is REAL, the pain is REAL, the emotion is REAL. And the saddest part is that all these feelings, all these actions are a part of every day life, and that some people have to live in Charlie's shoes.

I STRONGLY recommend this movie because it is well done, simply put. It is well done, and a beautiful, sad, story. I must warn you, though, that the situations in this movie are very, VERY deep and hard to take. They're tough pills to swallow, to say the least. If you're very sensitive like I am, you may have a problem with a few scenes. Even still, I urge everyone and anyone to watch it for its depth of reality. (And do not get frustrated if during your first viewing you do not understand everything -- like Fight Club, Memento, and Donnie Darko, the movie Urbania may have to be watched more than once)

Urbania is a powerful film that leaves an impact you won't forget. Check it out.