Jeffrey (1995) directed by Christopher Ashley

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Director: Christopher Ashley

Writers (WGA): Paul Rudnick (play)
Paul Rudnick (screenplay)

Release Date: 4 August 1995 (USA)
4 March 1997 (Italy)

Genre: Comedy, Drama

Tagline: Love is an adventure when one of you is sure... and the other is positive.
It's Just Sex!

Plot: In this comedy adapted from Paul Rudnick's off-Broadway hit play, a young, gay actor/waiter (Steven Weber) finds "Mr. Right" after becoming celibate -- a move inspired by his fear of AIDS. Struggling with the notion of commitment after learning his perfect mate is HIV positive, he relies on his best friend (Patrick Stewart, as an interior decorator), and a hilariously lascivious priest (Nathan Lane) to help him find the way.

Awards: 1996 American Comedy Award Nominations as Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture (Nathan Lane)
1996 Chlotrudis Award Nomination as Best Movie and Best Supporting Actor (Patrick Stewart)
1995 Fun Radio Trophy Award to Christopher Ashley and Grand Special Prize Nomination to Christopher Ashley, (Deauville Film Festival)

@IMDb
@Amazon: Jeffrey
@Netflix

 







 

Cast (in credits order)
Steven Weber ... Jeffrey
Michael T. Weiss ... Steve Howard
Patrick Stewart ... Sterling
Bryan Batt ... Darius
Peter Jaconson ... Man #1
Tom Cayler ... Man #2
David Thornton ... Man #3
Lee Mark Nelson ... Crying Guy
John Ganun ... Tourist
Joe Dain ... Movie Theatre Guy #1 (as Joseph Dain)
Jeffrey Ross ... Movie Theatre Guy #2
Irma St. Paule ... Mother Teresa
Nicky Paraiso ... Salesman
K. Todd Freeman ... Barney's Waiter
Robert Klein ... Skip Winkley
Patti Ann O'Connell ... Cheryl, the Showgirl
Patrick Kerr ... Waiter / Actor / Policeman
Peter Bartlett ... Casting Director
Christine Baranski ... Ann Marwood Bartle
John Seidman ... Boss
Victor Garber ... Tim
Barton Heyman ... Elderly Man
Darryl Theirse ... Homeboy
Camryn Manheim ... Single Woman
Sigourney Weaver ... Debra Moorhouse
Kathy Najimy ... Acolyte
J. Smith-Cameron ... Sharon
Ethan Phillips ... Dave
Lou Sumrall ... Thug #1
Robert Capelli Jr. ... Thug #2
Vince Cupone ... Thug #3 (as Vinny Capone)
Nancy Ticotin ... Woman in the Window
Peter Maloney ... Dad
Debra Monk ... Mom
Marcus Lovett ... Memorial Guest
Michele Pawk ... Young Mother
Demitri Corben ... House Manager
Alexander Cohen Smith ... Child
Nathan Lane ... Father Dan
Mary Bond Davis ... Church Lady #1
Lenka Peterson ... Church Lady #2
Olympia Dukakis ... Mrs. Marcangelo
Gregory Jbara ... Angelique
Peter B. Master ... Master (as Peter B.)
Albert Macklin ... Slave
Michael Duvert ... Sean
Alison Sheehy ... Network V.O.
Sarah Peterson ... Nurse
Marylouise Burke ... Aunt Phyllis
Joe Ponazecki ... Uncle Barney
Alice Drummond ... Grandma Rose
Henry Stram ... Cousin Gary
Leroi Freman ... Cater-Waiter Dancer
Scott Fowler ... Cater-Waiter Dancer
Christopher Harrison ... Cater-Waiter Dancer
Sergie A. Trujillo ... Cater-Waiter Dancer
J. David Elder ... Cater-Waiter Dancer
Christopher Davis ... Cater-Waiter Dancer
Richard Amaro ... Cater-Waiter Dancer
Andreas Beckett ... Cater-Waiter Dancer (as Andreas Niedermeier)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jimmy Ashmore ... Cater-Waiter (uncredited)
Michael Robert Brandon ... Todd Malcolm (uncredited)
Brian Ferrari ... Cater-Waiter (uncredited)
Thom Fitzgerald ... Guy in Central Park (uncredited)
Kevin Nealon ... TV Reporter (uncredited)


Steven Weber & Michael T. Weiss

 
Patrick Stewart & Bryan Batt

Comments

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Jeffrey was probably the first gay themed movie I saw in a theatre, all the other movies I had previously seen only in video tape at home. I actually think to have seen it two times and liked both time. It was also one of the first movie I bought in videotape and probably in my old videotape boxes there is still my copy.

Thinking at that movie in these days, I realized how much my perspective is changed: I loved Jeffrey, but had always the idea that it was a sad movie; one of the character has AIDS and almost 15 years ago, at least in Italy, having AIDS was the same as having a terminal illness there was no chance to survive. So, I always thought that Jeffrey couldn't be in any way an Happily Ever After. Now 15 years later, knowing that there are people who live healthy with AIDS, my perspective is changed: Jeffrey is definitely an Happily Ever After romance.

Strongly reccomended. Elisa

[lisa-thecat.livejournal.com]

You know I read all your movie rec and you surely raised my interest with this one. Thanks for the tip!!!

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

You are welcome! Jeffrey is for sure a no miss gay themed movie. Elisa

[mightymaeve.livejournal.com]

I own the screen play book. It's wonderful even reading the screen play. I've never seen the movie, but the play alone is vivid and touching.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I haven't had the chance to see the play, or read it, but the movie is very good. Elisa

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Hi. Another friend asked me something but I haven't read the screen play, so don't know if maybe there there is the answer. This is the question:

"I actually have a question and I hope someone can clear it up for me, the scene where Jeffrey is at a session for sex addicts he talks about where he thinks the root of the problem began and why he couldn't stop having sex with men-I was wondering if his first time was non-consensual because after he talks about it he starts getting a little emotional "Please don't stop" then he stares out at the audience of people and then says "Stop"." (lorettasilks)

Can you help her?

Elisa

[mightymaeve.livejournal.com]

I'm digging the screenplay out of my library...I'll take a look.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't. I think it was with his childhood friend and was a series of progressive 'dares'.
SO, it was manipulative, but not non-con. I think the trauma is after ward.

[kika-k.livejournal.com]

Oh adoro questo film!
Visto parecchie volte.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Si è uno dei miei preferiti, e lo hanno anche tradotto in Italiano! Elisa

[kika-k.livejournal.com]

Si. Visto sulla allora Tele + (sky). Dopo la prima volta ho cercato di vedere ogni replica. Mhhh..dvd da prendere perchè lo voglio rivedere.

[ethandayonline.livejournal.com]

This is one of my favorites. I've always had a bit of a crush on Michael Weiss, and I too remember being a little crushed when it was revealed that his character was HIV positive. Around the time I saw this movie the first time, I'd had a real life friend -- one of the first guys I'd ever fallen in love with, lose his battle with HIV. While it did then and still does make me a little sad every time I see this film, it also manages to leave me with a sense of hope. I found it to be a very romantic movie -- one that I find myself watching once a year.

Ethan

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I went to see this one (the second time) with a guy I had a big crush at the time... he was gay, but we were so young that he hadn't still the courage to come out, neither with me that was his best girl friend (yes, yes, I had a crush on him but I still was his best friend...). Anyway, I have absolutely no bad memories on this movie, on the opposite, sometime I wonder if I knew at the time, maybe I could be more of help for him, he hadn't had an easy coming out, actually he had to disappear from all his friends and family to do so. Elisa

[ethandayonline.livejournal.com]

Some movies will always be there as a constant reminder -- taking you straight back to a patacular time in your past. For better or worse, and sometimes a little of both.

[griesmeel.livejournal.com]

Hi Elisa, I just wanted to tell you I absolutely love your journal. I'm a very big fan of M/M romance and erotic books and gay romance movies and I stumbled onto your journal today while searching for new e-book titles.
I hope you don't mind I friended you but I love your posts.

I very much loved this movie, maybe also because Michael Weiss is sizzling hot. ;-)
Thank you for creating this journal and keep us informed and drooling.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

You are more than welcome ;-) Thank you for your kind word and welcome on my Flist. Elisa

[lab-jazz.livejournal.com]

I own this movie, but haven't had a chance to watch it as yet...I've now moved it up my waiting to watch list

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Absolutely you have to, it's a wonderful love story, both bittersweet than funny, a very difficult mix to obtain with success, but this one is. Elisa

[heavenly-rain.livejournal.com]

Hi~
I followed your link from over at slashyfilm

Jeffrey was also my first gay film.
I'll always remember that quote of Patrick Stewart saying he looks like a "gay superhero".

I really want to watch it again :)

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I think this was a first for many ;-) And one many watch again and again. Elisa

[lorettasilks.livejournal.com]

Saw this movie at LOGO a while back, oh my goodness fell in love with it! Very funny, a definite must see!

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I think it's one of the father of the light "gay romance" themed movies. And its strength is that it deals with AIDS without being hopeless. Elisa

[lorettasilks.livejournal.com]

I actually have a question and I hope someone can clear it up for me, the scene where Jeffrey is at a session for sex addicts he talks about where he thinks the root of the problem began and why he couldn't stop having sex with men-I was wondering if his first time was non-consensual because after he talks about it he starts getting a little emotional "Please don't stop" then he stares out at the audience of people and then says "Stop".

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Mmm, good question. I haven't read the play but probably there is better explained, I will forward your question to the friend who said they read it. Elisa

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Look above mightymaeve replied:

"I'm digging the screenplay out of my library...I'll take a look.

I'm pretty sure it wasn't. I think it was with his childhood friend and was a series of progressive 'dares'.
SO, it was manipulative, but not non-con. I think the trauma is after ward."