'Straight Up' Review: Jam Sweeney's Gay Braiac Screwball Comedy - Variety

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• QUEER ROM-COM "STRAIGHT UP" IS THE FIRST GREAT COMEDY OF THE YEARIN JAM SWEENEY'S WRY, QUIRKY NEW FILM, AN OBSSIVE-PULSIVE GAY MAN EMBARKS ON A LIFE-CHANGG ROMANCE—WH A {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY JENNI OLSONFEBARY 28, 2020/11:34 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2160PX;WIDTH:2880PX;}STRAND RELEASGJAM SWEENEY AND JAM SCULLY "STRAIGHT UP."BY JENNI OLSONFEBARY 28, 2020 / 11:34 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"QUEER ROM-COM \"STRAIGHT UP\" IS THE FIRST GREAT COMEDY OF THE YEAR","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-02-28T16:34:17.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-02-28T16:34:17.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JENNI OLSON","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“KIDS HAVE BEEN LLG ME A FAGGOT EVER SCE THE SEND GRA. I NEVER REALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNY TO EXPLORE THE FEMALE GENR,” SAYS OBSSIVE-PULSIVE 20-SOMETHG TODD AS HE EMBARKS ON A IL YET POIGNANT HETEROSEXUAL ROMANCE THE NEW QUEER DIE STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS WE PROCEED OM QUIRKY TABLEX TO IC DIRECT-TO-MERA RANTS, TODD—PLAYED BY JAM SWEENEY, WHO ALSO WROTE AND DIRECTED THE FILM—PONRS HIS GAY EXISTENCE AND EXPRS HIS NROS THE CLASSIC LENNIAL STYLE: WHICH EVERY LIFE ISSUE IS AN OPPORTUNY FOR A DRY, SARSTIC, THROWAWAY JOKE. IN SWEENEY'S HANDS, HIS STORY IS PLETELY CEMATIC (FULL OF EXQUISELY CRAFTED SHOTS AND EDG) AND UTTERLY THEATRIL (PACKED WH EXCHANG OF BETIFUL DIALOGUE DONE BRAVURA LONG-TAKE SEQUENC).STRAND RELEASGKATIE FDLAY (LEFT) AND JAM SWEENEY "STRAIGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KATIE FDLAY (LEFT) AND JAM SWEENEY STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODD’S FASTIDNS, ANXIETY, AND VIVIDLY EXPRSED AVERSN TO BODILY FUNCTNS SERVE AS THE PRIMARY MOTIVATNS FOR HIS LNAL AND QUIXOTIC JOURNEY. “I WISH I DIDN’T HAVE ANY HOL," HE ETS AT ONE POT. "IF I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THGS GOG AND OUT OF MY HOL, LIFE WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER." HIS OTHER RATNALE FOR PURSUG WOMEN? “I THK WOULD STATISTILLY IMPROVE MY LOVE LIFE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS PREMISE, OF OUR HERO TRYG TO PROVE HE ISN’T GAY, STRADDL AN UNSETTLG LE BETWEEN EDY AND SOMETHG PRETTY CLOSE TO TRAGEDY OVER THE URSE OF THE FILM. LIKE, ISN’T THIS THE KD OF THG THAT HAPPENED BEFORE GAY LIBERATN? YOU KNOW, A GAY MAN MARRI A STRAIGHT WOMAN AND S BOTH THEIR LIV BEE OF AN ABILY TO FACE THE TTH?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REMARKABLY, THOUGH, SWEENEY'S FEATURE BUT SUCCEEDS WALKG THAT LE. ALTHOUGH S SUPER-SMART, FAST-PACED BANTER CL ONE TOWARDS A CYNIL RISTANCE OF S CHARMS (WATCHG , YOU SOMETIM FEEL LIKE YOU'RE A 90-MUTE TIKTOK), YOU N'T NY S EXCELLENT PERFORMANC, WRY OBSERVATNS, AND BOLD STYLE ('S SHOT VTAGE 4:3 ASPECT RAT, SO 'S MORE SQUARE-SCREEN THAN WI-SCREEN). THE RULT IS LIKE A MASH-UP OF STRANGER THAN PARADISE, MY DNER WH ANDRE, AND A DAVID SEDARIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THROUGHOUT THE FILM, TODD’S IENDS MEG (DANA DRORI) AND RYR (JAM SCULLY) NTUE TO POT OUT THE OBV FACT THAT HE’S GAY. BUT TODD IS TERMED TO FOLLOW HIS PATH, WHILE HIS THERAPIST (FTLY PLAYED BY TRACIE THOMS) SERV AS WNS AND CHEERLEAR ALONG THE WAY. AMAZGLY, TODD CROSS PATHS WH THE ATTRACTIVE, SMART-ASS ASPIRG ACTRS RORY (KATIE FDLAY), WHOSE FAST-TALKG, OVERLY TELLECTUAL REMARKS FUNCTN AS HER OWN SPECIAL FORM OF EMOTNAL DISTANCG.STRAND RELEASGJAM SWEENEY (LEFT) AND KATIE FDLAY "STRAIGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“MILLENNIALS OVERSHARE BEE WE’RE THE MOST GODLS GENERATN," RORY QUIPS ONE OF THE MOVIE’S MANY EPILLY ENTERTAG PHILOSOPHIL MOMENTS. "THAT’S WHY WE NFS EVERYTHG ON SOCIAL MEDIA."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODD AND RORY MEET-CUTE AT THE LIBRARY AND AFTER A GEEKY CHAT HEAD TO TODD’S CURRENT HOE-STG LOS ANGEL GIG, WHERE WE DISVER THAT, OTHER THAN THEIR RPECTIVE SEXUALI, THEY ACTUALLY DO SEEM LIKE A PERFECT MATCH. THE UNLIKELY TALE FLI FORWARD OM THERE. THE HILAR DUO ARE SOON HOLDG HANDS AND HOE-STG TOGETHER MONTEREY… UNTIL, ONE NIGHT, A SIMPLE KISS PROMPTS THE QUTN: "WILL YOU BE MY GIRLIEND?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN E THE ADVENTUR UPLEDOM: TODD BRGS RORY TO MEET MEG AND HER NEW BOYIEND, ZANE (JOSHUA DIAZ); TODD BRGS RORY TO MEET HIS PARENTS (RANDALL PARK AND BETSY BRANDT); TODD AND RORY ATTEND RYR’S STUME BIRTHDAY PARTY. IN ONE OF STRAIGHT UP'S MANY META-CEMATIC REFERENC, THEY DRS AS PL NEWMAN AND ELIZABETH TAYLOR THE FILM VERSN OF CAT ON A HOT T ROOF (NEWMAN’S CHARACTER THE ORIGAL PLAY IS ACTUALLY A REPRSED HOMOSEXUAL, A PLOT POT THAT WAS EDED OUT FOR THE BIG SCREEN). SO THE GAY MAN PRETENDG TO BE STRAIGHT IS MASQUERADG AS A GAY CHARACTER WHO PRETENDS TO BE STRAIGHT—AND THE GAY MAN IS, IRONILLY, UNAWARE OF THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR SEXLS RELATNSHIP RRI ON WH BACK BS, BANANAGRAMS, AND ARGUMENTS OVER THE PROPER FN OF THE WORD IRONIC. TODD’S SEVERE OCD CLUS HIS REPULSN OF BODILY FLUIDS, WHILE RORY’S DISTERT SEX IS LS CLEARLY FED, BUT FOR A WHILE THE ARRANGEMENT ACTUALLY WORKS FOR BOTH OF THEM. UNTIL DON’T. WHEN THE MANIC SOUL MAT ATTEND MEG’S HOLIDAY PARTY ( HIO MATCHG RED-AND-GREEN CHRISTMAS SWEATERS) THEY GET UGHT UP A FIERCE GAME OF TTH OR DARE WH MEG, ZANE, RYR, AND TODD’S ONE-TIME GAY HOOKUP (THE HILAR BRENDAN SNNELL AS THE GUY MEG LLS “BLOW-JOB JERRY” REFERENCE TO TODD’S PREV TERACTN WH HIM).STRAND RELEASGJAM SWEENEY (LEFT) AND KATIE FDLAY "STRAIGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SPELLS THE BEGNG OF THE END, WH BEG CRYSTAL-CLEAR THAT TODD REALLY IS GAY AND RORY REALIZG SHE WANTS TO BE WH SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE SEX WH HER. SHE NS OFF TO SEATTLE, AND YET, TODD STILL N’T QUE LET {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS BRILLIANT AS STRAIGHT UP IS, THE PLOT FALTERS A B HERE. IT ALMOST SEEMS THAT SWEENEY WANTS TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR ASEXUALY, BUT HIS PROTAGONIST’S CHOIC SIGNAL FEAR RATHER THAN REPRENT NSC VOLN. IT’S GREAT THAT TODD LOV RORY, BUT BE CREASGLY DIFFICULT TO SYMPATHIZE WH HIS PLIGHT WHEN WE REALLY JT WANT HIM TO NONT THAT FEAR AND LIVE THE GAY LIFE HE IS CLEARLY MEANT TO LIVE IF HE WOULD JT GET OVER HIMSELF. WE N’T HELP BUT LOSE OUR PATIENCE WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, SPE S UNSATISFYG NCLN—AN TENTNALLY UNCLEAR SCENE THAT SUGGTS THAT EHER TODD FALLY HAS A BOYIEND OR THAT RORY DO—STRAIGHT UP SHOULD BE MEND FOR S AMBN. IT IS RARE TO SEE AN AMERIN LGBTQ FILM AS SMART AND THOUGHTFUL AS THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STRAIGHT UP OPENS FEBARY 28 AT THE IFC THEATER NEW YORK CY AND MARCH 6 LOS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS
• 'LIKE A GAY DREAM E TE': NETFLIX'S FIRST GAY HOLIDAY ROM- 'SGLE ALL THE WAY' RELISH JOY

QUEER ROM-COM "STRAIGHT UP" IS THE FIRST GREAT COMEDY OF THE YEARIN JAM SWEENEY'S WRY, QUIRKY NEW FILM, AN OBSSIVE-PULSIVE GAY MAN EMBARKS ON A LIFE-CHANGG ROMANCE—WH A {FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}{FONT:NORMAL 800 1.2REM/1.2 "D BOLD",SANS-SERIF;TEXT-TRANSFORM:NORMAL;LOR:HER;DISPLAY:LE-BLOCK;PADDG-BOTTOM:6PX;POSN:RELATIVE;TEXT-TRANSFORM:UPPERSE;}{BACKGROUND:#89308A;BOTTOM:0;NTENT:'';DISPLAY:BLOCK;HEIGHT:2PX;LEFT:0;POSN:ABSOLUTE;RIGHT:0;-WEBK-TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;TRANSN:ALL 0.2S EASE;WIDTH:100%;}{LEFT:51%;RIGHT:51%;WIDTH:0;}MOVIBY JENNI OLSONFEBARY 28, 2020/11:34 {HEIGHT:HER;DISPLAY:-WEBK-BOX;DISPLAY:-WEBK-FLEX;DISPLAY:-MS-FLEXBOX;DISPLAY:FLEX;POSN:RELATIVE;-WEBK-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-MS-FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;FLEX-WRAP:WRAP;-WEBK-ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-ALIGN:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-ALIGN:CENTER;ALIGN-EMS:CENTER;-WEBK-BOX-PACK:CENTER;-WEBK-JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-MS-FLEX-PACK:CENTER;JTIFY-NTENT:CENTER;-WEBK-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;-MS-TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;TRANSFORM-ORIG:CENTER;} IMG{HEIGHT:100%;WIDTH:100%;OBJECT-F:VER;}{HEIGHT:2160PX;WIDTH:2880PX;}STRAND RELEASGJAM SWEENEY AND JAM SCULLY "STRAIGHT UP."BY JENNI OLSONFEBARY 28, 2020 / 11:34 AM{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"NEWSARTICLE","HEADLE":"QUEER ROM-COM \"STRAIGHT UP\" IS THE FIRST GREAT COMEDY OF THE YEAR","THUMBNAILURL":","DATEPUBLISHED":"2020-02-28T16:34:17.000+0000","DATEMODIFIED":"2020-02-28T16:34:17.000+0000","IMAGE":{"@NTEXT":","@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT","URL":","WIDTH":1920,"HEIGHT":1080},"URL":","THOR":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","NAME":"LOGO TV"},"MAENTYOFPAGE":{"@TYPE":"WEBPAGE","@ID":"},"PUBLISHER":{"@TYPE":"ORGANIZATN","@ID":","NAME":"LOGO TV","URL":","LOGO":{"@TYPE":"IMAGEOBJECT"}},"CREATOR":"JENNI OLSON","ARTICLESECTN":"MOVI"}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“KIDS HAVE BEEN LLG ME A FAGGOT EVER SCE THE SEND GRA. I NEVER REALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNY TO EXPLORE THE FEMALE GENR,” SAYS OBSSIVE-PULSIVE 20-SOMETHG TODD AS HE EMBARKS ON A IL YET POIGNANT HETEROSEXUAL ROMANCE THE NEW QUEER DIE STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS WE PROCEED OM QUIRKY TABLEX TO IC DIRECT-TO-MERA RANTS, TODD—PLAYED BY JAM SWEENEY, WHO ALSO WROTE AND DIRECTED THE FILM—PONRS HIS GAY EXISTENCE AND EXPRS HIS NROS THE CLASSIC LENNIAL STYLE: WHICH EVERY LIFE ISSUE IS AN OPPORTUNY FOR A DRY, SARSTIC, THROWAWAY JOKE. IN SWEENEY'S HANDS, HIS STORY IS PLETELY CEMATIC (FULL OF EXQUISELY CRAFTED SHOTS AND EDG) AND UTTERLY THEATRIL (PACKED WH EXCHANG OF BETIFUL DIALOGUE DONE BRAVURA LONG-TAKE SEQUENC).STRAND RELEASGKATIE FDLAY (LEFT) AND JAM SWEENEY "STRAIGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}KATIE FDLAY (LEFT) AND JAM SWEENEY STRAIGHT {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODD’S FASTIDNS, ANXIETY, AND VIVIDLY EXPRSED AVERSN TO BODILY FUNCTNS SERVE AS THE PRIMARY MOTIVATNS FOR HIS LNAL AND QUIXOTIC JOURNEY. “I WISH I DIDN’T HAVE ANY HOL," HE ETS AT ONE POT. "IF I DIDN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THGS GOG AND OUT OF MY HOL, LIFE WOULD BE SO MUCH EASIER." HIS OTHER RATNALE FOR PURSUG WOMEN? “I THK WOULD STATISTILLY IMPROVE MY LOVE LIFE.”{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS PREMISE, OF OUR HERO TRYG TO PROVE HE ISN’T GAY, STRADDL AN UNSETTLG LE BETWEEN EDY AND SOMETHG PRETTY CLOSE TO TRAGEDY OVER THE URSE OF THE FILM. LIKE, ISN’T THIS THE KD OF THG THAT HAPPENED BEFORE GAY LIBERATN? YOU KNOW, A GAY MAN MARRI A STRAIGHT WOMAN AND S BOTH THEIR LIV BEE OF AN ABILY TO FACE THE TTH?{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}REMARKABLY, THOUGH, SWEENEY'S FEATURE BUT SUCCEEDS WALKG THAT LE. ALTHOUGH S SUPER-SMART, FAST-PACED BANTER CL ONE TOWARDS A CYNIL RISTANCE OF S CHARMS (WATCHG , YOU SOMETIM FEEL LIKE YOU'RE A 90-MUTE TIKTOK), YOU N'T NY S EXCELLENT PERFORMANC, WRY OBSERVATNS, AND BOLD STYLE ('S SHOT VTAGE 4:3 ASPECT RAT, SO 'S MORE SQUARE-SCREEN THAN WI-SCREEN). THE RULT IS LIKE A MASH-UP OF STRANGER THAN PARADISE, MY DNER WH ANDRE, AND A DAVID SEDARIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THROUGHOUT THE FILM, TODD’S IENDS MEG (DANA DRORI) AND RYR (JAM SCULLY) NTUE TO POT OUT THE OBV FACT THAT HE’S GAY. BUT TODD IS TERMED TO FOLLOW HIS PATH, WHILE HIS THERAPIST (FTLY PLAYED BY TRACIE THOMS) SERV AS WNS AND CHEERLEAR ALONG THE WAY. AMAZGLY, TODD CROSS PATHS WH THE ATTRACTIVE, SMART-ASS ASPIRG ACTRS RORY (KATIE FDLAY), WHOSE FAST-TALKG, OVERLY TELLECTUAL REMARKS FUNCTN AS HER OWN SPECIAL FORM OF EMOTNAL DISTANCG.STRAND RELEASGJAM SWEENEY (LEFT) AND KATIE FDLAY "STRAIGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}“MILLENNIALS OVERSHARE BEE WE’RE THE MOST GODLS GENERATN," RORY QUIPS ONE OF THE MOVIE’S MANY EPILLY ENTERTAG PHILOSOPHIL MOMENTS. "THAT’S WHY WE NFS EVERYTHG ON SOCIAL MEDIA."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}TODD AND RORY MEET-CUTE AT THE LIBRARY AND AFTER A GEEKY CHAT HEAD TO TODD’S CURRENT HOE-STG LOS ANGEL GIG, WHERE WE DISVER THAT, OTHER THAN THEIR RPECTIVE SEXUALI, THEY ACTUALLY DO SEEM LIKE A PERFECT MATCH. THE UNLIKELY TALE FLI FORWARD OM THERE. THE HILAR DUO ARE SOON HOLDG HANDS AND HOE-STG TOGETHER MONTEREY… UNTIL, ONE NIGHT, A SIMPLE KISS PROMPTS THE QUTN: "WILL YOU BE MY GIRLIEND?"{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEN E THE ADVENTUR UPLEDOM: TODD BRGS RORY TO MEET MEG AND HER NEW BOYIEND, ZANE (JOSHUA DIAZ); TODD BRGS RORY TO MEET HIS PARENTS (RANDALL PARK AND BETSY BRANDT); TODD AND RORY ATTEND RYR’S STUME BIRTHDAY PARTY. IN ONE OF STRAIGHT UP'S MANY META-CEMATIC REFERENC, THEY DRS AS PL NEWMAN AND ELIZABETH TAYLOR THE FILM VERSN OF CAT ON A HOT T ROOF (NEWMAN’S CHARACTER THE ORIGAL PLAY IS ACTUALLY A REPRSED HOMOSEXUAL, A PLOT POT THAT WAS EDED OUT FOR THE BIG SCREEN). SO THE GAY MAN PRETENDG TO BE STRAIGHT IS MASQUERADG AS A GAY CHARACTER WHO PRETENDS TO BE STRAIGHT—AND THE GAY MAN IS, IRONILLY, UNAWARE OF THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THEIR SEXLS RELATNSHIP RRI ON WH BACK BS, BANANAGRAMS, AND ARGUMENTS OVER THE PROPER FN OF THE WORD IRONIC. TODD’S SEVERE OCD CLUS HIS REPULSN OF BODILY FLUIDS, WHILE RORY’S DISTERT SEX IS LS CLEARLY FED, BUT FOR A WHILE THE ARRANGEMENT ACTUALLY WORKS FOR BOTH OF THEM. UNTIL DON’T. WHEN THE MANIC SOUL MAT ATTEND MEG’S HOLIDAY PARTY ( HIO MATCHG RED-AND-GREEN CHRISTMAS SWEATERS) THEY GET UGHT UP A FIERCE GAME OF TTH OR DARE WH MEG, ZANE, RYR, AND TODD’S ONE-TIME GAY HOOKUP (THE HILAR BRENDAN SNNELL AS THE GUY MEG LLS “BLOW-JOB JERRY” REFERENCE TO TODD’S PREV TERACTN WH HIM).STRAND RELEASGJAM SWEENEY (LEFT) AND KATIE FDLAY "STRAIGHT UP."{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}THIS SPELLS THE BEGNG OF THE END, WH BEG CRYSTAL-CLEAR THAT TODD REALLY IS GAY AND RORY REALIZG SHE WANTS TO BE WH SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE SEX WH HER. SHE NS OFF TO SEATTLE, AND YET, TODD STILL N’T QUE LET {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}AS BRILLIANT AS STRAIGHT UP IS, THE PLOT FALTERS A B HERE. IT ALMOST SEEMS THAT SWEENEY WANTS TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR ASEXUALY, BUT HIS PROTAGONIST’S CHOIC SIGNAL FEAR RATHER THAN REPRENT NSC VOLN. IT’S GREAT THAT TODD LOV RORY, BUT BE CREASGLY DIFFICULT TO SYMPATHIZE WH HIS PLIGHT WHEN WE REALLY JT WANT HIM TO NONT THAT FEAR AND LIVE THE GAY LIFE HE IS CLEARLY MEANT TO LIVE IF HE WOULD JT GET OVER HIMSELF. WE N’T HELP BUT LOSE OUR PATIENCE WH {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STILL, SPE S UNSATISFYG NCLN—AN TENTNALLY UNCLEAR SCENE THAT SUGGTS THAT EHER TODD FALLY HAS A BOYIEND OR THAT RORY DO—STRAIGHT UP SHOULD BE MEND FOR S AMBN. IT IS RARE TO SEE AN AMERIN LGBTQ FILM AS SMART AND THOUGHTFUL AS THIS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;PADDG:24PX 0;} A{LOR:#354A4E;-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;TEXT-RATN:UNRLE;} A:HOVER, A:FOC{-WEBK-TEXT-RATN:NONE;TEXT-RATN:NONE;} B, STRONG{FONT-WEIGHT:700;}STRAIGHT UP OPENS FEBARY 28 AT THE IFC THEATER NEW YORK CY AND MARCH 6 LOS {BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;CLEAR:BOTH;}{BOX-SIZG:BORR-BOX;MARG:0 TO;WIDTH:90%;M-WIDTH:288PX;MAX-WIDTH:1440PX;M-HEIGHT:194PX;}LATT NEWS

I never really had the opportuny to explore the female genr, ” says obssive-pulsive 20-somethg Todd as he embarks on a il yet poignant heterosexual romance the new queer die Straight we proceed om quirky tablex to ic direct-to-mera rants, Todd—played by Jam Sweeney, who also wrote and directed the film—ponrs his gay existence and exprs his nros the classic lennial style: which every life issue is an opportuny for a dry, sarstic, throwaway joke. In one of Straight Up's many meta-cematic referenc, they drs as Pl Newman and Elizabeth Taylor the film versn of Cat on a Hot T Roof (Newman’s character the origal play is actually a reprsed homosexual, a plot pot that was eded out for the big screen).

'LIKE A GAY DREAM E TE': NETFLIX'S FIRST GAY HOLIDAY ROM- 'SGLE ALL THE WAY' RELISH JOY

So the gay man pretendg to be straight is masqueradg as a gay character who pretends to be straight—and the gay man is, ironilly, unaware of this sexls relatnship rri on wh back bs, Bananagrams, and arguments over the proper fn of the word ironic. When the manic soul mat attend Meg’s holiday party ( hio matchg red-and-green Christmas sweaters) they get ught up a fierce game of Tth or Dare wh Meg, Zane, Ryr, and Todd’s one-time gay hookup (the hilar Brendan Snnell as the guy Meg lls “Blow-job Jerry” reference to Todd’s prev teractn wh him) spells the begng of the end, wh beg crystal-clear that Todd really is gay and Rory realizg she wants to be wh someone who wants to have sex wh her.

It’s great that Todd lov Rory, but be creasgly difficult to sympathize wh his plight when we really jt want him to nont that fear and live the gay life he is clearly meant to live if he would jt get over himself. Havg a moment, the late ’90s and early ghts, meant that, sudnly, a gay performer or character would appear a space that had been prevly domated by straight people — say, at the center of a TV s like “Will & Grace” or a stand-up special, or as the voice of reason to the leadg lady a romantic edy like “My Bt Friend’s Weddg” — and everyone uld appld and say, “We solved ! Gay edy isn’t niche ’s all changed so fast that at one pot, while he’s discsg a sketch about rporate sponsorship of gay pri paras that he did wh Lil Nas X last May, Yang, 31, tch himself and says, lghg, “Why am I talkg about this the past tense, like ’s another era?

(The podst format, which gay obssns n be discsed and nstcted at length, or which the hetero world n be filtered through gay sensibili, as is on Sam Taggart and Gee Civeris’s “StraightLab, ” has bee fertile turf for emergg edy stars. ” says Rogers, who, like all of his lleagu, has many ncurrent projects; he spent an early month of the panmic hostg (hilarly) a pet-groomg realy show lled “Hte Dog” for HBO Max; he -created a short-form seri lled “Gayme Show” (“for Quibi, rt peace”), whose wrg room was “entirely stocked wh queer people”; and he will have a regular role on a new Showtime edy lled “I Love That for You, ” tentatively schled for this sprg, wh the “S. ” Lyn’s style of humor — bchy, suatg, spiked wh alhol, rancid wh self-mockery — was rarely overtly queer; was what would now be scribed as “queer-d” — other words, legibly gay to anybody, gay or straight, who knew what signifiers to look for but to the obliv, merely droll.

Lyn (who was self-protectively disparagg about gay men terviews) and ntemporari like Charl Nelson Reilly on “Match Game” (another game show) the 1970s were gay entertaers before that was a tegory; they are the first DNA strand ntemporary gay male edy’s triple send strand was the first generatn of out male edians — guys like the performance artist Frank Maya, who beme the first out gay man to get a spot on the early ’90s MTV seri “Half Hour Comedy Hour, ” and Bob Smh, the first to crack “The Tonight Show” durg the Jay Leno era, and Stt Thompson, the gay member of the Canadian edy qutet the Kids the Hall. They were pneers who had to walk a plited le, at once makg stand-up safe for gay performers and makg gay edy palatable for straight dienc that, 30 years ago, were still far more fortable lghg at queer people than wh them.

And the third strand was drag — there all along, olr than pop culture self, the subject of angry ntentn the gay muny between those who embraced as an act of transgrsive fiance and genr subversn and those who nounced as mstrelsy or, worse, bad for the e; pop culture, was a s-long journey om “La Cage x Foll” on Broadway the 1980s to “RuPl’s Drag Race” the 2000s, at which pot the naysayers fally had to adm feat. Source photos: Alex SchaeferOne thg that distguish the new wave of gay edy is that n draw om all the tradns and rebe them to somethg new — at once polil and mpy; cheerful and subversive; stumed and nfsnal; explic and mastream.

In the scene, Styl plays a distracted, gay, sexually (hyper)active social media brand manager who’s ught advertently postg his own horny Instagram msag unr the pany acunt — cludg one to Shawn Mens, to whom he sends what he sheepishly adms to his boss ( a le that drew screams of lighted shock om the stud dience) was “a picture of my open throat. ”The sketch was an stant h, which was surprisg not jt bee Styl gamely threw himself to the role but bee the language ed — “still on a poppers high, ” “feelg really prsed after threome, ” “wreck me, daddy” — was for-, by- gay talk of a kd that was unprecented on “S. L., ” which had only the last , wh the rise of Kate McKnon and the stallatn of the gay -head wrer Chris Kelly, started to journey out of a long, vexed history of homophobia.

Sce Ellen DeGener me out 1997, lbians and gay men have had, and ntue to have, separate and plited trajectori through edy, and one major and persistent difference is that the ia of sex between men still triggers a more vol, openly disgted type of homophobia om some dienc than do the ia of sex between women. “Sara Lee” didn’t seem the least alarmed by that; wasn’t a sketch aimed at heterosexual drive-by gawkers but one unmistakably wrten straight-outta-Grdr language by gay men who weren’t pecially terted translatg their work for a wir dience.