Movie Review - Straight Up (Pride Month)

Writer-director James Sweeney seems like he's most influenced by television, with shows such as Gilmore Girls top of his brain. One can definitely feel the influence of that series by Amy Sherman-Palladino. First, that influence is with how this film looks. The aspect ratio is 4:3, which is the aspect ratio for television, the ratio that Gilmore Girls had when it began in 2000. Second, that influence is obvious with how Sweeney's dialogue is structured and delivered. Sherman-Palladino was known for her dialogue being rapid-fire, snappy and full of pop culture references. Of course, Sherman-Palladino took her cues from the screwball comedy films from the 1930's and 40's, as well as onward. Screwball comedies in particular were known for how they satirized traditional love stories, occasionally challenging gender roles. Sweeney has seemingly picked up on that aspect, as his film is one that challenges sexual identity. His film in fact could be a part of this idea of "post-gay."

Post-gay is a term that has several definitions but could broadly be described as the rejection of the gay label, gay culture or gay as an identity, despite having had same-sex relations or even same-sex attractions. This is not the same as gay conversion or saying that one is now "cured" of being gay, though it does walk a fine line. Ostensibly though, that's what Sweeney's film is doing. He's taking a gay character or gay person and has him reject the gay label. There are various reasons as to why people would reject the gay label or reject being called gay. Beyond indicating what a person's sexual orientation or sexual preference is, the word "gay" also comes with assumptions and stereotypes with which people might not connect. Some people don't feel as though their sexual orientation or preference should be the main part of their identity or who they are. That's a bit of what's happening here and also not.

James Sweeney stars as Todd, a young man who works in computer software and also does house-sitting in Los Angeles. It's apparent very early that he's very neurotic and suffers from a lot of anxiety. We learn right away that he's in therapy and is seeing a psychoanalyst. His problems stem from his dating life and him feeling like he'll never find a good match and thus will be alone, which he doesn't want. For the most part, he's been dating men, so he seems to be gay. However, because he's been unsuccessful, he thinks that maybe he's not gay. He thinks maybe he's straight and wants to date women. Yet, for him, this is more of an intellectual exercise because he's not physically attracted to women and doesn't want to have sex with women.

At first, this film seems like it's going to be an exploration of bisexuality or sexual fluidity in a comedic way. As mentioned though, Todd isn't sexually attracted to women. He's just tired or frustrated with dating gay men. If anything, Todd is more asexual or he doesn't have any sexual desire or attraction to any or either gender. This would make him more in line with the character of Todd from the series BoJack Horseman. However, the character here never makes that connection. Essentially though, he seems to be asexual, which is an identity that's grouped with the LGBTQ community. It's unclear though if that's what Sweeney is going for or if he's just doing the post-gay thing.

Katie Findlay (Nancy Drew and How To Get Away With Murder) co-stars as Rory, an aspiring actress who meets Todd in the library one day and they form a connection. Rory is the name of the main character in Gilmore Girls, so the two bond over that, as swell as over pretentious wordplay. Rory has a very sardonic sense of humor. She makes a rape joke in acting class that doesn't go over great. She therefore doesn't make friends well, so she seems rather lonely herself. She connects with Todd because of his personality, which includes phobias and compulsions that would seem to put him on the spectrum. She's amused and their relationship feels genuine and heartfelt. She's not asexual though, but she has to choose whether or not she can be asexual in order to be with Todd in more than just a friendship way.

The film is very insular, so it's limited in his perspective and scope. Yes, young people can have that limited perspective and scope, but both don't see beyond the now. I understand Todd's neuroses force him to think that he'll die alone, even though he's so young and hasn't explored enough or lived life enough to think that asexuality exists or what that could be. The film then stops before the situation could be pursued to a logical conclusion. We don't really know how the relationship between Todd and Rory will work. The film culminates on whether the two will be together but not how. The question is whether or not a romantic relationship can exist without sex. It's one thing if one of the persons were disabled or paralyzed and physically couldn't, but when one person simply doesn't desire the other in that way is usually a dealbreaker. This film ostensibly seeks to challenge that, but it merely presents that idea without really diving into it. The final shot doesn't add any clarity, just more confusion.

Rated TV-MA.

Running Time: 1 hr. and 36 mins.

Available on Netflix.