The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy (2000)

Director:

Greg Berlanti

Writer (WGA):

Greg Berlanti (written by)

Release Date:

1 February 2001 (Germany)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

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

Plot:

In the palm-shaded oasis of West Hollywood, we meet Dennis, a promising photographer. As he prepares to celebrate his twenty-eighth birthday...

Plot Keywords:

Homosexual | Coming Out | Gay Interest | Gay Kiss | Homosexual Scene

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

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

Also Known As:

8x10's (USA) (working title)
The Broken Hearts Club (USA) (working title)
The Broken Hearts League (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Netherlands:AL (VHS/DVD rating) | Canada:G (Quebec) | Finland:K-16 | Iceland:L | Canada:14A | Germany:6 | Hong Kong:IIB | Spain:13 | UK:15 | USA:R | South Korea:18 | Portugal:M/12

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Banner Entertainment

Trivia:

It was down to the wire trying to get rights to use scenes from the 'Joan Crawford' film Straight-Jacket as well as rights to the Carpenters music.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: As Cole closes the door of the rental car, you can see the director, cameraman, soundman (with boom mike) reflected in the closing door.

Quotes:

Cole: Thank God you're home.
Dennis: Thanks to Mufasa here, it's now a Tunisian hut.
Taylor: Why do I even try?

Movie Connections:

References "Aquaman" (1968)

cute movie

I was very pleasantly surprised by "The Broken Hearts Club". Almost every gay type movie I've seen since "Making Love" has been just embarrassing. The characters in "Broken Hearts' Club" were pared down so that they were real to me. They were not over-the-top in melodrama and they did not wallow in realistic plain-ness. These guys were very fun and likable. There was a little bit that was cloying and obvious, like when Peter (my favorite character) said he couldn't go through with the one-night stand because he was tired of it all... And it wasn't as bold or original as "Taxi Zum Klo". And because of the simplicity of the plot structure, it's effects are limited. But, it wasn't at all pandering or self-congratulating or masochistic like some gay-themed films from this period. It was sweet and genuinely funny and I enjoyed it very much. And, by the way, the stereotypes exist because the people exist, and "Broken Hearts' Club" presented them to good effect, with little of the usual apologetic self-consciousness. I loved the Joan Crawford revenge bit! It was hilarious. This movie feels good about itself in a healthy way.