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Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Fresh and Exciting

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The acting in this movie is really good.

Look, this isn't a terrible film by any means. It has a few comedic and touching moments and if eye candy is your thing then it definitely delivers in that respect. But it offers nothing that anyone, whatever their orientation, hasn't seen before. It's packed to the brim with stereotypes and you see every single one of them coming from a mile away.Blaine - the nice, attractive, intelligent guy next door that no one in over-sexed, superficial L.A seems to want - falls for Xander, the new-in-town country cutie. As with all rom-coms a misunderstanding occurs, in this case Xander thinks that Blaine is really Cameron, Blaine's promiscuous go-go boy roommate, because when they met online there was a mix-up with the pictures, yadda yadda. Instead of doing what both his hag bestie and somehow-smarter-than-the-smartest-guy-in-the-room roommate advise, Blaine decides to pretend to be Cameron when he finally meets Xander in person and thus ensues what's supposed to be a comedy of errors but lacks any of the charm or actual humor of such. Throw in the old queen, complete with tiny toy dog, and the mildly homophobic "you people" boss and that's the film.I can't say what makes this film watchable. It's unremarkable and I'm going to forget it as soon as I post this review. But I suppose the fact that no one truly got on my nerves and I merely wanted to shake some sense into Blaine instead of the more volatile reactions films/characters like this usually stir within me means that it was at least tolerable. It's definitely not the worst of its kind out there.

By now, you've watched this film or had the opportunity to read through the other reviews that are here. The acting is sound, although not excellent, and the story itself is, while perhaps integrating a few too many clichés, still very good. In fact, it is the presence of some of those rom-com clichés that have been around for so long, provided with a gay twist, that makes this story interesting.Unfortunately, however, the casting and some of the dialogue in this movie destroy its entire purpose. The main goal for those watching is for us to believe that a reclusive, "unattractive" writer can pull himself out of his shell and find true love. Two big problems with that:1. Blaine isn't unattractive by any definition of the word that most gay men are so biased about. He's physically appealing, has a high-paying, publicity-providing job, an excellent living situation, lots of free time, and meaningful friendships with others. He's not someone that any gay man who is genuinely rejected by his peers - physically unattractive, overweight, unemployed, struggling with housing, etc. - would actually identify with; and2. Any sympathy I had for Blaine went out the window the moment he said "oh thank God" when he saw Xander's picture. Despite the screenwriter(s) wanting us to believe that Blaine is the "gay everyman," he proves himself just as vain as the rest of them.TL:DR version: None of the characters are identifiable enough for any gay man who gets rejected by his peers for this movie to have any meaning for them whatsoever. And that's sad.

I won't repeat the details, which have been provided by other reviewers.It's far too easy and common to dismiss gay films as stereotypical depictions of gay characters and their relations to one another. That's like criticizing Cary Grant's romantic characters as stereotypically heterosexualThe film is populated by gay men who can be found in droves in real life, and the situations are not at all uncommon.Men like Blaine can be romantic, shy, sweet, put off by men who are too aggressive or fearful of rejection.The Camerons of the gay milieu are the opposite: full of themselves, firm in the belief they can "have" anyone and/or sexual athletes.Xander typifies the middle ground. Nevertheless, most men have a combination of attributes and are hard to pigeonhole. I was struck by the first scene in the coffee shop. Blaine is dismissed rudely by the gay man behind the counter. Yet, when Xander asks for the same beverage, because of his looks, the server is effusively friendly and gives him free coffee.I've witnessed or heard of many similar incidents, when waiters, salesmen and others have been neglectful, abrasive or dismissive of customers who don't meet their standards of male pulchritude.I'm not a big fan of gay cinema, but I enjoyed "Is It Just Me?" It's well acted and directed. Good music, too

Ooooohhh La La..La...LA....LA.....Los Angeles! And its happy Gay Boy scene----was a wild and zany place in Director Todd Stephens' 2001 film and later sequel.....But here it's a quieter and more introspective place, in the script given us by Director J. C. Calciano for his "Is It Just Me?" So, yes, perhaps weirdly, this movie struck me as something of a beginnings.....a buildup to what might come later in the raunch and wild zaniness of Stephens' works. Now choose which suits you better, Mr. / Ms. Viewer: This current, more quietly romantic approach.....or the runaway, sexual hijinks of those earlier works?(( Being upfront with you, I ask that you bear in mind my following thoughts are those of a much older viewer who never learned to care for Stephens' 2-film series. Though I'm sure you younger kids out there are much more appreciative of such works, as well as Calciano's efforts in this new film. Now, to business. ))You've likely already read about the done and done again storyline of this "Mistaken Identity and Comedy of Errors" film, so why waste our time with that. Instead, let me just spin a few thoughts about the leads / characters, and the manner in which they come across:A soft-bodied (read: no gym time), main lead (Nicholas Downs as Blaine) who, though low in self esteem, seems able to rally our support for his character (maybe we're seeing too much of ourselves there). While I wouldn't call him the best actor of the bunch, he cries convincingly and does come across as sweet (a good foil for roommate, Cameron's persona). Strangely enough, in his DVD Special Features interview, Downs presents as the more lively, less deadpan person we were rooting for him to become in the film.A second lead (David Loren as Xander) is a guitar playing songwriter who can't play guitar.....and can't sing (oh, you think I'm wrong, do you). But what those areas lack, he more than makes up for in hunky cuteness (it's what counts, eh?). He's the real romantic in this film, and he presents his lines in such a way as to prove it. A really nice guy who always comes across as that; I'll take him over either of the other two leads. Oh, and while speaking of "X", let's not forget his oh-so-helpful landlord / housemate.....an old "Gay Philosophizer," endearingly (and too often, interruptingly) played by a well performing Bruce Gray.Last, but far from least, we have our explosive tertiary lead, Cameron (Adam Huss). A waxed and gym-toned cutie who's as carefree as can be.....yet still winds up being the standup friend you always need. If possible, this guy is more fun in his Special Features interview than he is during scenes (hey, Adam, your grandfather doesn't happened to be named Robert, does he?).Now to Writer / Director Calciano and some final thoughts. My overall impression of this work leads me, as so often happens with gay themed films, to wonder: As opposed to better foreign productions / directors, why can't US film makers consistently give us gay romance films in which romantic emotions and physical acts come across in such a way that we, the audience, can SEE and FEEL the passion....the tenderness....the closeness between two men? The best you'll do with our meant-to-be-together leads in this movie is a little (interrupted) phone sex and conversations about similar likes and interests. Worse, our great director is in such a hurry with the final kiss by the leads.....well, all I can say is: Don't Blink!DVD Special Features consist of Cast Auditions and Interviews, along with some Deleted Scenes (in which you sadly learn that it's Adam Huss, as Cameron, who gives us the best kiss in the whole movie).So, how to end all this? Let me do it by asking: Is it fun and cute and attention-holding? Well, yes.....for the most part. But that doesn't mean it couldn't have been better.....and my rating reflects that. (And yes, yes, yes.....I have watched it more than once before butting in). PS--Looking out for your viewing welfare, here's a little tip for you. If you want to see a movie in which the love and passion between 2 men is almost real enough to touch, be on the lookout for a little Peruvian 2009 production titled, "Undertow" (I've reviewed it here at IMDb.com). It's my understanding Wolfe Video will be releasing it in the first half of 2011 (or if you've got an all-regions DVD player, the film is now available through Amazon.com.co.uk and other European outlets). Oh, and for one of gay film's longest (and hottest) male kissing scenes, please check out "Ciao" (2008) (yes, I've reviewed that, too). ****