reviews_and_ramblings | The Curiosity of Chance (2006) directed by Russell P. Marleau

Director: Russell P. Marleau

Writer (WGA): Russell P. Marleau (written by)

Genre: Comedy

Tagline: The only way he could fit in was to stand out.

Plot: It's the 80s once again, and the John Hughes-styled high school comedy gets a fresh twist in this touching, coming-of-age tale. New wave angst and gender-bending fashion are all the rage, but the new kid at school, Chance Marquis (Tad Hilgenbrinck of American Pie Presents: Band Camp) is trying to find new ways to stand out. Being an odd and somewhat awkward teenager makes him the target of the school bully. To deal with this dilemma, Chance turns to the opposite ends of the high school spectrum for help. On one side is the flamboyant drag queen and on the other, the varsity jock, Levi Sparks (Brett Chukerman of Eating Out 2) with whom Chance develops a unique friendship. Chock-full of the comic conventions of the high school genre the idiot faculty, the good-hearted but delusional parents, the fairy tale reversal of popularity The Curiosity of Chance is a frothy bit of nostalgic filmmaking. But knowing the genre doesn t mean its story won t also touch your heart, as Chance battles the bigots to make high school the diverse utopia it should have always been.

The Curiosity of Chance by director Russell P. Marleau is an excellent coming-of-age film perfect for the inner teenager in all of us. Think of it as a queer Pretty in Pink The Curiosity of Chance gets my vote for a GLAAD Media Award and should be required viewing in high schools everywhere, for the tolerance and fun of it. --Advocate.com

Like all good 80s movies, The Curiosity of Chance dabbles in clichés, but its humanity makes the film a pleasure to watch. --Washington Blade

Awards: Best Feature Film at 2007 Chigaco Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival

Best Director (Russell P. Marleau) at 2006 Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival

@IMDb
@Amazon: The Curiosity of Chance
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Cast (in credits order)
Tad Hilgenbrink ... Chance Marquis (as Tad Hilgenbrinck)
Brett Chukerman ... Levi Sparks
Aldevina Da Silva ... Twyla Tiller
Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyze ... Hank Hudson
Chris Mulkey ... Sir
Maxim Maes ... Brad Harden
Colleen Cameron ... Sienna Marquis
Magali Uytterhaegen ... Ophelia Smelker
Tony Beck ... Lawrence Sparks
Danny Calander ... Claire Vuoyant
Tineke Caels ... Loretta Getzik
Joyce Berx ... Toni
Dirk Calander ... Passion Pink
Stefan Van Haarlem ... Lily Pad
Sophie Engel ... Rachel
Didier Matthys ... Gus
Benjamin Royaards ... Steve
Hadewich Van Der Straeten ... School Secretary
Ricardo Silva ... Male Devil Student
Sara Soumillon ... Female Devil Student
André Bracke ... English Teacher
Griet Van Lancker ... Chemistry Teacher
Tuur Stessel ... Jon
Kristof Van den Bossche ... Conner
Jo Wee ... Jessica
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Ken Arden ... Sasha
Cela Yildiz ... Clubmember