Between Love & Goodbye (2008) Reviews

• Interesting Concept, Horrible Execution

  gweatherford2008-10-12

  This film about falling in and out of love has an interesting premise: What brings men together and what tears them apart? Apart from the premise, however, it is pretty bad. Two young hot guys (an American and a Frenchie) meet cute in a bar, decide they love each other "pour toujours" very quickly, and then, after a few years together, when one of the partners renews ties with a sibling, all begins to swiftly and dramatically unravel. From one extreme of sickeningly sweet "I thought you two were going to last," the film drops quickly into obsession, selfishness and pathology. Most of what makes the film so annoying is that the writing is overwrought; and though I know some of the dialog is likely intentionally so, it does not ring true even in context. When the couple is falling in love, for example, the dialog seems to come straight out of Harlequin; and when they are fighting it goes towards bitchiness that goes beyond what one might expect from the characters. The result is that one does not know whether the protagonists are meant to be understood or scorned; and the central acting certainly does not help, with two main actors who do not seem to register beyond type, and are not strong enough to effectively portray an potential Jungian undertones. In short, I was never quite sure whether to hate or feel for these people, or which one I was to feel for if I was meant to take sides. Was it intended to be a gay "War of the Roses," or some kind of queer morality tale? Aside from one increasingly interesting performance (the lesbian roommate), and one HORRID performance (the sibling, perhaps a victim of one-note writing), there is just so little that stands out.

• Not awful!

  darksideofthemoon-32009-09-07

  I saw this movie today, and had to post my own review after reading the "awful" review that had been posted on it. I don't think that review was fair at all - I started wondering while reading it, whether or not I was looking at a review for the same movie I just saw. I couldn't understand why the person who wrote the review found it so bad. Having the movie fresh in memory, and since I watch a lot of gay movies, I wanted to give this movie a more positive review - this one was one of the better gay movies I've seen; it had some originality. In comparison to some of the other (too predictable)gay movies I've seen, it provides some previously unseen conflicts and themes. I also didn't think the dialog was cheesy. It seemed pretty real to me. On occasion, some of the things said are harsher than I've experienced, but that's all. The actors are great, they have charisma, and like I said, I believe the story they are performing. Maybe if they hadn't been good, some of the dialog would be bad, but I didn't at all think that it was as it is. Altogether, I think this movie is alright. And the soundtrack IS great. The lead singer doesn't have the most amazing voice, but it's all really edgy and original. Kind of like the movie. :) In addition, though, I'd like to say that the movie really touched me. That not being in a totally positive way. I might be a little too emotional - I get that a lot - but I do like having a nice feeling in my body after watching a movie. And this movie contains a lot of arguing, a lot of hurtful things are said - and that really got to me. Again - that wouldn't have happened if the dialogs and script were bad, would it. So watch it if you like gay movies :)

• good movie...

  radikian2009-05-05

  I see that some people thought this was an awful movie, but I must disagree. For me, a movie is good when it doesn't let you drift into thoughts like "wait... that's a mistake in the movie" or "argh.. that was poorly acted"... or even better "that's an unrealistic situation...". The actors were splendid. The story was sad, yet it convinced me. The situation was a possible situation, and the character's actions and reactions don't seem to me like a movie script, but rather like something that could happen to real people. So, I think this was a good movie... I gave it 9 stars because it made me feel sad... but I won't tell you why.... watch the movie and decide for yourselves whether you like it or not...

• Dreadful writing, bad acting, quirky edits, waste of film

  zyzyb2k2009-07-06

  The writer/director based the story on a very old premise: boy meets boy, each fall heavily. Then, the 'troubled' transsexual sibling of one of them inserts her/himself into the guys' early courtship. To muddy this setup further, one half is a French national who enters into a 'Green Card' wedding with a not-too-cooperative lesbian friend. From incredible bliss one moment, to a 180-degree flip of one half, falling for every ploy by the transsexual sibling, without any questioning at all. The broken-hearted other half just pines tearfully, his entreaties to his other half completely ignored. The siblings represent the worst stereotypes: vain, flighty, young queer, with no moral center. Troubled transsexual who is a leech, a thief, and a vicious liar. This script could not have been saved by a good director. Whatever acting capabilities possessed by this crew, are completely absent in this production. Painful to watch, don't waste your time.

• offensively horrible

  ohmemercylard2009-11-28

  no one in this film acts like anyone would EVER act in real life. it's completely stupid throughout. the American boy's evil brother/sister/brother/sister/brother is the cause of all problems, yet he/she/he/she pretty much gets by with it, is never really called out for his assholism, so there's no cathartic moment for the viewer. the french kid never did anything wrong; all he did was love the other boy. this story is unfair and totally unrealistic. i really, really hated this movie and wish i hadn't watched it. the only reason i stayed with it was to see that evil brother/sister get his comeuppance, but that didn't happen. this movie has left me feeling violated and insulted. avoid this movie.