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Gone, But Not Forgotten (2003) More at IMDbPro »

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32 comments in total

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15 out of 15 people found the following comment useful :-
What's wrong with nice?, 22 May 2006

Author: dixichux from North Florida

OK, so I've watched the maybe five good English speaking gay themed movies released over the last five years. My internet rental queue has about 70 titles for which I remain ever hopeful. One after another, they rate anywhere from simple horrible to pointless, depressing, tedious, condescending, or French horrible. Hope has not completely vanished, but expectations are no longer exceedingly high.

Maybe low expectation was why I liked this movie. I certainly think way too high expectation is why some others did not. The best of film makers would be hard pressed to do better with a budget that wouldn't pay for food service on most movie sets and undoubtedly filmed in less time than a big budget director spends picking his nose. Come on, this little guy deserves a break. The story is feasible and interesting situationally. The characters are believable and their interactions seem real without stereotype. The storyline is laid out in a logical fashion. There is a point. The acting is at least up to soap opera standards. Problems that hound gay relationships are addressed honestly. The video format seems very fitting for the simple, small town, natural surroundings in which it was filmed. The guys are aesthetically decent enough. And it has one of the best choreographed romantic love scenes of any gay movie, big budget or not. As far as pace, this is indeed not an action packed, ADHD storyline, but the pace does thankfully allow the characters to develop. It's just a nice story to let you know the big bad world is not going to always eat you alive.

"Gone but not Forgotten" is more like a granola bar grabbed at the checkout counter rather than say, "Foie Gras en Terrine", at the French Laundry. Simple, momentarily satisfying, and basically healthy. I hope it gets judged accordingly.

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18 out of 22 people found the following comment useful :-
A Fun And Endearing Trek, 29 February 2004
Author: NYCNetguy from NYC

It's great to see such an endearing movie that doesn't rely on the usual gay storylines of AIDS, coming out, or campy drag queens. Wearing it's heart on its sleave, `Gone, But Not Forgotten' is a charming, adult, romantic love story with a touch of mystery from writer, director, producer, and editor Michael D. Akers. This guy does it all and on a shoestring budget! But with an intriguing story and a fine cast it's first class all the way! Shot on digital video, which does give it a home video feel to it and takes some getting used to, but once you settle in, it's an enjoyable trek.

Shot in and around Yosemite National Park the story revolves around an openly gay forest ranger named Drew (Aaron Orr) who's rescued a young man, Mark (Matthew Montgomery), from an accident that leaves him with amnesia in a smalltown hospital. Drew takes him `under his wing', they develop a friendship, and ultimately a relationship. But as the story unfolds and Mark begins to remember his past, through a series of flashbacks to what led up to his accident, he begins to question who he is and where he is headed. Is he gay or straight? Will he stay with Drew or go back to his previous life, whatever that may be? Mark's not the only one with secrets but Drew holds some of his own as well regarding his past and his relationship with his brother. They're all revealed as the story continues and ultimately come together in a satisfying ending.

Rounding out the film are some supporting roles played by Joel Bryant as Drew's estranged brother Paul, Brenda Lasker as the sister-in-law and Bryna Weiss as Dr. Mary Williams.

There are some moments that seemed a bit over-the-top and somewhat unbelievable, but as a first time effort Michael Akers has done a fine job with his ensemble cast. But it's the male leads that drew me in and found their relationship sweet and charming. The culmination between the two comes in the form of one of the best, most intimate, sex scenes I've seen and is most tastefully done. The questions the story posed were also intriguing with regards to amnesia, sexual orientation and past memories. Intriguing.

It's not without its flaws but overall I really enjoyed this independent film and look forward to Mr. Akers next directorial effort. Grab a big bowl of popcorn, settle back on your couch and enjoy!

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15 out of 17 people found the following comment useful :-
Definitely Not 'Polished', 25 June 2005

Author: alucard1-1 from United States

I, as a gay man, am happy that there are more and more films, Indie, and Mainstream that are relating too, and telling more 'gay-positive' films.

However, I do wish this film had been done better. I saw that the story had much more potential than what was actually delivered; it was actually quite interesting, and the main reason I did watch it all the way through.

The bad *

The audio was terrible. There were places in the film where the dialog was completely covered by 'really bad' background music.

The writing left a little to be desired and has been compared to an Afterschool Special, with good reason.

The acting was adequate, and this I can't tell if it could have been done better by better dialog in script, or if it was poor delivery from the actors.

The good *

I did feel that the leads, Mark (Matthew Montgomery) and Drew (Aaron Orr)scenes together were done well. They 'pulled off' the intimacy very well, and their interactions were believable. They seemed to have a true chemistry that worked.

As has been stated previously, DO NOT watch this film if you are expecting a lot, as you will most certainly be disappointed. If you have the time to waste... no worries.

As a side note... I would like to see the leads in other roles though, to see if they can do a better job with a 'better script.' I hope this has been a helpful 'review.' -A

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18 out of 23 people found the following comment useful :-
Not Easily Forgotten, 8 April 2004
Author: Tom (ryantbo28@aol.com) from Philly Area - PA

This is a small budget indi film that will settle into your heart. The idea of repressed desire and living as others wish you would live was the same theme touched on in films such as Big Eden. Director Michael Akers gives a warm and touching story of a man looking for love and another who doesn't even know who he is or what his life was like before the accident. These 2 are truly likable characters. Rounding out the cast is the brother who doesn't know how to express his love or frustrations, his Christian wife, the town doctor who's devotion to Drew transcends his sexuality and a shrewish wife who makes you understand why Mark would want to forget his past. Fine acting and storyline that keeps you hoping that love wins out. There is no preaching, no fear of AIDS, just a single gay man looking for his soulmate. What could possibly be wrong with a movie like that?

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13 out of 16 people found the following comment useful :-
Why did I like this movie?, 5 February 2004
Author: Dallin (dsw9775) from Allen, TX

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

*Warning: Possible Spoilers*

I saw this DVD in the store and from the pictures on the cover it looked totally hot, so I bought it.

First the negatives (and there are quite a few.)

1. It was shot on video. I realize they did this to save money (with a low budget, one must) but the video quality automatically takes away from the "movie" feel of it for me, and makes it seem something like a porn (since those are all shot on video.)

2. The photographic direction is terrible. Often characters are out of frame, or facing the very edge of the frame, etc. I learned more about scene composition in my beginner film class than they demonstrated in this film.

3. The acting was ok - but not great. Some scenes were good while others were ridiculous.

4. The writing was like the acting. Some scenes were well done, while others were just absurd and irrational.

5. There was only one steamy scene.

Now the good points.

1. The plot, story, and characters were excellent. A good, if simplistic, mystery occurs.

2. (Here's the spoiler) It has a happy ending!

I'm not one to be easily reeled in and forgive all just because of a happy ending, but this film managed to have that effect on me. As I watched it, I suffered through the above mentioned bad points because of the strength of the plot. At the end it left me with such an overwhelming feeling of joy I just can't help but say that I really liked this movie, despite the shortcomings. It is very refreshing to see a gay film that's not a post-modern tale of alienation and detachment such as "Presque Rien" (Come Undone) and "Giorni" (Days) but more along the lines of "Beautiful Thing."

So, in summary, if you're looking for a well-made, artistic, "thinking" film, this ISN'T the one to see. If, however, you're looking for a fun little movie that leaves you feeling good, and not thinking "What the hell?" at the end, I definitely recommend this one.

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6 out of 6 people found the following comment useful :-
A Man With a Past, 21 November 2006

Author: nycritic

*** This comment may contain spoilers ***

You know, I have to admit that while there are gay-themed movies that are so awful, so badly executed and so clichéd there is no other way to approach it that doesn't involve a sense of apprehension and at least three glasses of wine to soften the blow, there comes a movie that is so unassuming, so tiny, so much a blink-or-miss event that you would dismiss it because it doesn't have known actors and has been made on a personal level -- really, a labor of love.

Such is the case with this little movie. Its poster does little to attract the right kind of attention because of its flagrant depiction of Harlequin-esquire bodies entwined in a loving embrace. As a matter of fact I won't deny that much of my initial attention was focused on its poster and I thought to myself, "Eh, what the hell -- another gay-lite movie featuring perfectly chiseled bodies, little to zero acting, and a flimsy story that would make ETHAN GREEN look like an exercise in expert plotting."

I will be the first to admit, I was partly wrong. True, the story is pure Harlequin -- change the gender of one of the two leads and you have yourself a quintessential Hollywood weeper starring two of the days brightest leads paired together for sparks and an emotional ride. But there's a stark honesty, something else that is crucial to this movie's enjoyment, that I couldn't -- despite some occasional cheesiness -- take in like I'd never seen a love story before.

For two actors who have little to no credits to their name -- because perish the thought of seeing A-list actors condescend to playing gay men without losing their masculinity; only a handful do that, and even then it's not without some eyebrows being raised, yes, even now -- their interaction together was fraught with enormous sexual and emotional tension, and it's also a tale that takes it time to get to where it needs to get. Matthew Montgomery plays his part with a cheeky realism -- at times it seems like he's in on the fact this is a role, at times he's clearly inside his role. Aaron Orr also comes across very sympathetic as a man who's found the person he's been waiting for and is unmindful that it may cost him everything. And the actress who plays the woman in between Montgomery and Orr, Ariadne Shaeffer, has one intense scene reminiscent of Beatrice Straight in NETWORK that is frankly, chilling.

So, GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN is romance, pure and simple, but done with care to its characters, to its story, and comes out looking much better than if it had been made with a budget of 20 million and power-actors. I loved it and recommend it.

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6 out of 7 people found the following comment useful :-
A delightful movie - a real gem., 4 February 2006

Author: DaveDC from Canada

This little movie, made on a shoestring budget with a small cast and crew, cannot fairly be compared with a multi-million dollar Hollywood production. In spite of any production limitations, this is a true gem... A simply delightful little film.

I'm sure that most of us have a short list of movies that are the entertainment equivalent of soul food - movies that we watch over and over again... we may not fully understand why we like the movie, but it gives us a sense of inner peace - for me, "Gone, But Not Forgotten" is such a film. I found the story refreshingly different from the mainstream gay-themed movies and I thought that the two principal actors, Aaron Orr and Matthew Montgomery were excellent, particularly in the very well crafted love scene.

It doesn't take a huge budget and expensive special effects to tell a story well. All it takes is a good storyteller... and Michael D. Akers and Sandon Berg, along with their excellent cast, have managed to tell an interesting and unusual story in an honest and straightforward way.

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4 out of 4 people found the following comment useful :-
Nice to watch - but it's not a cinematic experience, 27 May 2006

Author: POG-2 from Europe

I did like the film although it moves slowly, but I liked Drew and he sort of made me like the film. Drew is the epitome of a gay dream I think. He's the typical nature boy who's caring, has a boyish charm and good looks. And I loved his voice, the way he talked. He reminded me a bit of Mouse in Tales of the City. Who could resist? It is true, however, that sometimes you feel you've dropped into a soft-porn film - esp. the music adds to this impression. And the other character looks a bit like a hustler. The other characters are quite weak however. And the relationship between the brothers is fairly strange and not quite convincing. Although the setting is quite realistic, this is more like a fairy tale or wishful thinking. Yet, I think this is a film I would have liked to see around my own coming-out because there's a profound goodness to it and being gay is not presented as an unsurmountable problem. So watching this film is more like an emotional indulgence than a intellectual experience.

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6 out of 8 people found the following comment useful :-
This is a wonderful gay romantic mystery!, 14 March 2006

Author: Anthony Gibson from Fort Worth, TX United States

I was very surprised how much I enjoyed this movie. Before I watched it I thought it would be another typical gay B movie with a bunch of hunky airheads having sex all the time. Instead it was a moving, sensitive romantic mystery. Watching the two hansome leads, Aaron Orr and Matthew Montgomery, fall in love, while dealing with one's amnesia was a great original twist. The love scenes are very tasteful and authentic looking, without being overt. If you are looking for a bunch of naked men running around having sex with each other, this movie is not for you. If you are looking for a sensual, romantic love story, this is the movie for you. For the budget they had, the cast and crew really made this movie work. I am looking forward to the next movie from the United Gay Network, Matrimonium, and whatever may come in the future. Gone, But Not Forgotten is worth remembering.

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11 out of 18 people found the following comment useful :-
Gone and forgotten, 2 July 2004
Author: Nick Duretta (nduretta@earthlink.net) from Pasadena CA

This film is very typical of gay cinema these days -- borderline amateurish, at times painfully awkward, but with its heart in the right place (and a decent movie somewhere in there trying to claw its way out). It's hard to pinpoint any major reason why "Gone But Not Forgotten" is unsatisfying; it's a bunch of little flaws that add up. The writing and acting were ok and passable but ultimately

lackluster and ordinary. The production values were skimpy (at times I felt I was watching a porn film without the porn) but that in itself is no sin. The plot was completely predictable with no surprises at all. All in all, I just didn't buy any of it -- even though the basic plot is credible, none of the characters or their

situations seemed real or believable. Unfortunately, I'll forget this one pretty quick.

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