Role / Play (2010) directed by Rob Williams

[reviews_and_ramblings]

A recently outed soap opera actor crosses paths with a recently divorced gay marriage activist, forcing them to confront the price of fame and the fickle nature of celebrity within the gay community.

Director: Rob Williams

Writer: Rob Williams

Release Date: 11 July 2010 (Outfest, Los Angeles)

Genres: Drama

Taglines: Who are you pretending to be?

Storyline: When soap opera star Graham Windsor (Steve Callahan - East Side Story, Nine Lives, Make the Yuletide Gay) is outed as the result of a gay sex tape scandal, he seeks refuge at an exclusive Palm Springs resort. But quiet anonymity eludes him when marriage-equality activist Trey Reed (Matthew Montgomery - Redwoods, Back Soon, Socket) checks in to escape the fallout from his own bitter divorce. As an undeniable passion begins to sizzle between Graham and Trey, they force each other to confront their professional downfalls and the firestorm each has created in the gay press.

Role/Play also stars David Pevsner (Pornography: A Thriller), Brian Nolan (The Lair), Matthew Stephen Herrick (Daydream Obsession: Legacy) and Jim J. Bullock (Too Close for Comfort).

Check out my interview to Steve Callahan: http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com/1219891.html

@IMDb
@Amazon: Role/Play (2011)
@Netflix
@TLA Releasing
@Wolfe Video

 

































 

Cast (in credits order)
Steve Callahan ... Graham Windsor
Matthew Montgomery ... Trey Reed
David Pevsner ... Alex
Brian Nolan ... Ricky
Matthew Stephen Herrick ... Parker Ryland
Jim J. Bullock ... Bernie
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ryland Dodge ... Mickey
Derek Long ... Interviewer
Christopher Patrino ... Inn Guest
Kevin F. Sherry ... Bad Sweater Guy

     
Trey & Graham

Comments

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Role/Play is the first of the gay themed movies I started to follow last year that I have the chance to see and review; I pre-ordered my copy directly from the director, Rob Williams, and I received it last week and of course I immediately planned my private screenplay right for that night. I was all wired to like the movie for different reasons: I saw it growing, from pre-production to filming to post-production; it was a romance movie and the two main characters (Matthew Montgomery and Steve Callahan) are also a real-life couple, and so of course the chemistry between them had to be good; I trusted the director, Rob Williams, to give us an happily ever after, becuase he is among the few director of gay themed movie who almost always does that (Make the Yuletide Gay, Long-Term Relationship, Back Soon...). All of above expectations were met and something more.

Yes, this is a romance, and yes, this is an happily ever after romance (or at least an happily for now romance); yes, the chemistry between the characters is more than good, and the director knew well in "showing" it to us, and when I say showing it's in the true meaning of the word, just google the movie and enjoy the eye candy. Nor Matthew Montgomery or Steve Callahan are shy with their bodies, even if there is never full frontal nakedness (but full back? that a lot): the sex scene in bed are classy and hot and actually there is never a showing of the actual sex, but more the aftermath, and that is even better, since the aftermath is more romantic and intimate.

Basically this is a two men show, the setting is all in a place, a small gay resort in Palm Spring, and the action moves between the bedroom and the pool and some of the common areas of the resort. Indeed the only two supporting characters who have more than few sentences in the movie, the resort owner Alex (David Pevsner) and the guest Ricky (Brian Nolan) are also among the most interesting characters, well worthy probably of a story of their own.

There is a lot of talk between soap-opera actor Graham (Steve Callahan) and gay activist Trey (Matthew Montgomery), and yes, that was unexpected and welcomed: I think the fictional words between Graham and Trey are real thesis everyone who lives in the today show-business pondered and discussed.

Summing up: I really enjoy this movie, it met my expectations and it gave me something more I was not expecting, but that made me think, other than enjoy the eye candy.

[lovefujitez.livejournal.com]

They are so beautiful together...such a lovely couple!

[annabirmingham.livejournal.com]

I'm really looking forward to seeing this - I love both Matthew and Steve :)

[tizi17.livejournal.com]

thank you for bringing the film and the gorgeous pictures.
i am looking forward to finally have my own copy soon..

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

I actually calendared the release date for this film for purchase. :)

[gaycrow.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed reading your entry so much that I bought the movie. I found it a bit wordy and slow going, but I really liked the chemistry between Matthew and Steve.

Their scenes, and the location shoot (that pool looked lovely!), plus the out-takes and behind-the-scenes bonus extras, made my purchase worthwhile. I had to giggle watching Matthew's "Haiiiiii". ;D

It was also special to see the glimpses of how happy Matthew and Steve are in their real life together.