The Broken Hearts Club

The Broken Hearts Club

***

Reviewed by: Angus Wolfe Murray

Back in LA, the boys are hanging out. It's just another night at The Broken Hearts Club, checking the talent, as if...

"We sit around here and talk about men," Dennis (Timothy Olyphant) says.

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"And talk about men," Benji (Zach Braff) reiterates.

"It's so gay."

Well, that's what it is, "a bunch of tens looking for an eleven," feeling bad about commitment, relationships, sex and being ordinary.

"I hate this city," Howie (Matt McGrath) says. "Everyone's more attractive than me."

Writer/director Greg Berlanti has created another ensemble love muddle, except this time the only girls in sight are lesbian. It has none of the bitchy eroticism of Queer As Folk. No-one's going to complain about this lot.

It seems gay guys have the same problems as straight guys when it comes to romance. Only Benji and Taylor (Billy Porter) play the camp card. The rest are fun to be with when they're not putting it on for some other bloke, or raving about Karen Carpenter.

This is a movie about friendship. The dialogue is often witty and the emotions all in a tangle.

"I'm 28 years old," Dennis, the Robert Wagner lookalike, complains. "And the only thing I'm good at is being gay."

He has his eye on young Kevin (Andrew Keegan), who can't decide whether he's hetro or homo.

Because the film is sentimental, lust plays a supporting role and there are no ugly scenes to frighten the citizens of Normal.

Reviewed on: 22 May 2001
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An ensemble piece about a group of gay friends hanging out in LA.
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Director: Greg Berlanti

Writer: Greg Berlanti

Starring: Timothy Olyphant, John Mahoney, Zach Braff, Matt McGrath, Dean Cain, Billy Poter, Ben Weber, Andrew Keegan, Mary McCormack, Nia Long

Year: 2000

Runtime: 94 minutes

BBFC: PG - Parental Guidance

Country: US

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