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Few movie buffs can argue that "Annie Hall" was one of the better film classics to come out the last half of the 20th century. Few movies have summed up themselves up as brillantly as Woody Allen's dialogue at the end of the movie when discussing the difficulties and frustrations of relationships people constantly put themselves through because "they need the eggs." While this movie was created on a limited $500,000 and may not convey this theme as convincingly as "Annie Hall," it comes very close. Update the topic of "Annie Hall" some 20+ years later with the additon of a gay angle and you have "All Over The Guy." As the plot is described in many reviews here, I won't do that, but instead give some of my perceptions of this wonderful movie! A good combination of actors, dialogue, and songs, especially the two by Peter Stuart, which set a nice tone for important parts in the movie- this flick is a winner!
While some reviewers may not completely understand Tom's (Richard Ruccolo) flip-flop personality of nice guy/bad guy in dealing with Eli (Dan Bucatinsky), it makes perfect sense for people who do not feel good enough for a partner they are in love with due to a lack of self-worth within themselves. Particularily in light of the frowns and pressures put on gays in general society, Tom's rebuffs, isolation, one night stands, and alcoholism are easily understood. Both Tom and Eli's personalities, fears, hesitancies, idiosyncrasies, and quirks are "explained" and very well done in scenes involving their relationships with their parents both in the present and in flashbacks as children as Mr. Allen did in "Annie Hall." One of the powers of "All Over The Guy" is how well it communicates the premise that we are who we have become due to the influences of our parents and siblings as we grow up. We become consciously or unconsciously "extensions" of our own parents and family as adults due to our life experiences with them.
Julie Davis, the director, and Dan Bucatinsky, who wrote this storyline as a play involving two straight couples do an incredible job of adapting this updated story to the big screen with a gay and straight couple. Great casting and good dialogue, some have unfairly critized, I think, as being too "Friends"-like or "soapy." That's not too surprising to me as two of the actors, Adam Goldberg and Dan B., have both appeared in "Friends"; Sasha Alexander from "Dawson's Creek"; and Richard Ruccolo is of "Three Guys and A Girl" fame. They all carry the dialogue, however, in admirable and entertaining fashion. Add Lisa Kudrow of "Friends" and Doris Roberts of "Everyone Loves Raymond" in great cameos and you've got the whipped cream on the cake. I can't say enough good things about Andrea Martin- the cherry on top of the whipped cream! Ms. Martin- very under-rated and under-appreciated- is one of the funniest comedians and character actresses of our time. Most of her portrayals are borderline-line genius and she doesn't disappoint in this film! Finally, Richard Ruccolo's portrayal of Tom made him the "shining star" in this movie. I came away with a newfound respect for him as an actor than simply labeling him as a "sit-com" actor. I am perplexed why we haven't seen more of him in starring roles after viewing this film.
While some may tire of Tom and Eli's on again-off again tug-of-war relationship, it speaks a brillant and universal truth in a great screenplay about a relationship(s) we may have ourselves been in at one time or that we know someone has been in at sometime. The movie flows evenly through funny and serious moments and has one of the most personally intense love scenes- gay or straight- I've ever seen in a movie. While the scene is short on both length and skin, I felt for a brief flash that I was actually "intruding" into a very personal moment between two people. Bravo Dan and Richard!
I consider this movie to be one of the better gay-themed movies to be released over the past few years and one I have advocated my friends to see. The DVD also has some nice additions with a commentary track, an additional short film, and an alternate ending. Word of warning! Watch the movie, let it sink in, and assess it (as this is how it was released in the theatre) before watching the alternate ending. It will completely alter your perception of the film. For those who haven't seen this movie or those who were not impressed initially, I say watch or re-watch it from the perspective of what "Annie Hall" conveyed to us about relationships and what makes them so hard. I guarantee you will come away affected, moved, impressed, and inspired by this film.
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Cliente Amazon
2 storie d’amore, 1 gay l’altra etero, molto belle
Reviewed in Italy on January 12, 2019