The Men Next Door (2012) directed by Rob Williams

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Falling in love with the boy next door? That's a dream come true. Falling in love with his father, too? That's just awkward.

Director: Rob Williams

Writer: Rob Williams

Stars: Eric Dean, Michael Nicklin and Benjamin Lutz

Genres: Comedy

Storyline: Writer/director Rob Williams (Make The Yuletide Gay, Role/Play) returns with a new romantic comedy about finding love a little too close to home. As he reluctantly celebrates his 40th birthday, Doug (Eric Dean, star of Arizona Sky and Nine Lives) finds himself falling for two very different but equally lovable men - Jacob, a secure 50-year-old (Michael Nicklin) who came out later in life, and Colton, an adventurous 30-year-old (Benjamin Lutz, star of The Love Patient and Bite Marks) who literally is the boy next door. What Doug doesn't know right away is that the two men are, in fact, father and son! How long can Doug juggle both relationships before everyone finds out the truth?

@IMDb
@Amazon: The Men Next Door (2012)









Cast (in credits order)
Eric Dean ... Doug
Michael Nicklin ... Jacob
Benjamin Lutz ... Colton
Heidi Rhodes ... Evelyn
Mark Cirillo ... Woody
Christopher Schram ... Philip
Devon Michael Jones ... Derek
Rachel Alig ... Bambi
Ronnie Kroell ... Darren
David Alanson ... Will
Christopher Patrino ... Christopher
Kevin F. Sherry ... Bad Sweater Guy
Trevor Knight ... Temp


Doug & Jacob


Colton

Comments

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Even if the blurb lets imply that Doug is juggling between father and son without them knowing, the story is actually more original than that. Doug was dating Jacob, but they were not yet to the "serious" step of the relationship (I had the feeling Jacob was not ready) and Doug meets Colton. When Jacob found out Doug is his son's new boyfriend, he asks Doug to not telling Colton, but of course, living near each other the secret is soon out. Now Doug proposes to date both men, individually, and see where both relationships are leading... trouble is that both are good chance at happiness.

I quite liked the three actors, both their characters than how they played them. I can see what both relationship were giving to Doug, but, if I'm true, I was cheering for the wrong one (at least wrong according to the plot). It's true the one losing, had made an huge mistake (and no, I'm not giving up the plot), and I think up until that point, Doug was not really sure what to do.

The story was fun, I was glad they chose not to redo the usual plot on the secret triangle, and instead playing it openly; it gave that serious touch to the story, that other than that, remained light in the mood. Eric Dean is probably the one more comfortable in his role, and actually he was perfect for both men, 40 years old of age but not of spirit, he could be silly for Colton and pacate for Jacob, sweet but not vapid.

Good supporting cast, especially the twin brother (completely at the opposite of Doug) and the gay best friend (not so twink after all).