The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)

In the palm-shaded oasis of West Hollywood, we meet Dennis, a promising photographer. As he prepares to celebrate his twenty-eighth birthday, he laments, ' I can't decide if my friends are ... See full summary »

Director:

Greg Berlanti

Writer:

Greg Berlanti

Stars:

Ben Weber, Timothy Olyphant, Zach Braff

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Weber	...	Patrick
Timothy Olyphant	...	Dennis
Matt McGrath	...	Howie
Zach Braff	...	Benji
Nora Burns	...	Female Shopper
Dean Cain	...	Cole
Chris Payne Gilbert	...	Larry
John Brandon	...	Mickey
Diane McBain	...	Josephine
Robert Peters	...	Cop
Billy Porter	...	Taylor
John Mahoney	...	Jack
Nia Long	...	Leslie
Mary McCormack	...	Anne
Justin Theroux	...	Marshall

Storyline

In the palm-shaded oasis of West Hollywood, we meet Dennis, a promising photographer. As he prepares to celebrate his twenty-eighth birthday, he laments, ' I can't decide if my friends are the best or worst thing that ever happened to me.' The gang includes Benji, the punkish innocent with a penchant for gym bodies; Howie, the psychology grad student who thinks too much and lives too little; Cole, the charismatic actor who accidentally keeps stealing everybody's guy; Patrick, the cynical quipster, and Taylor, resident drama queen, who, until recently, prided himself on his long-term relationship. Providing sage advice and steady work is Jack, the beloved patriarch whose restaurant is a haven for them all. When tragedy strikes the group, the friendships are put to the test.

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Plot Keywords:

gay | friend | restaurant | photographer | lesbian | 

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Taglines:

The shortest distance between friends isn't always a straight line.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Sport

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 February 2001 (Germany)

Also Known As:

8x10's

Filming Locations:

Laurel Hardware Company - 7984 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$109,694 (USA) (29 September 2000)

Gross:

ESP 6,902,900 (Spain) (29 June 2001)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Banner Entertainment, Meanwhile Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

As Greg Berlanti was a writer/producer of the series Dawson's Creek, he showed the script for this movie to one of his favorite actors Kerr Smith who was part of the Dawson's Creek cast. Kerr loved the script so much that he agreed to cameo any role Greg offered.

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Goofs

In the scene in the kitchen with Dennis and Kevin, Dennis reports that "My friend's relationship hit Defcon 5". Defcon 5 is the lowest status, not the highest.

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Quotes

Dennis: Benji, there isn't a straight man in America who doesn't refer to anyone but his girlfriend as 'girlfriend'.
Benji: I know, but I was so butch when I said it.

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Connections

References Access Hollywood (1996)

User Reviews

OK to be Gay!

This film gives gay men a meaning beyond stereotypes and the roles usually seen in gay movies. The theme is universal: friends stand by you to assure you that you are OK as you are.

Some of the dialog is hilarious, and the characters ring true even though many of these people are played by straight actors. There is an amusing glossary of gay terms given on the screen from time to time so that straight audiences will understand the lingo of the gay subculture.

The touching elements in the film include the loneliness of what one character describes as "10s looking for 11s." The recognition that a person can be gay and average is the only antedote for this loneliness.

We follow a group of young gay men, under the matronly supervision of John Mahoney, connecting and disconnecting as they try to find themselves in a world that doesn't seem to care who they are. It's a story of human beings. The fact that they are gay is incidental -- and this is a major step forward in gays being depicted in movies.