Third Man Out (2005) (TV)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Ron Oliver

Writers (WGA):

Mark Saltzman (written by)
Richard Stevenson (book)

Release Date:

2005 (Canada)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

A gay detective who always gets his man.

Plot:

A gay detective is hired to find who has been been threatening a notorious member of the gay community noted for outing people. |

Plot Keywords:

Gay | Gay Detective | Detective | Home Renovation | Blackmail

Cast

Chad Allen	...	Donald Strachey
Sebastian Spence	...	Timmy Callahan
Jack Wetherall	...	John Rutka
Woody Jeffreys	...	Eddie
Sean Young	...	Ann Rutka
April Telek	...	Alice Savage (as April Amber Telek)
John Moore	...	Bishop McFee
Alf Humphreys	...	Father Morgan (as Alf Humphries)
P. Lynn Johnson	...	Senator Dianne Glassman
Guy Fauchon	...	Newspaper Photographer
James Michalopolous	...	Dark Glasses (as James Michalopoulos)
Moneca Delain	...	Nurse
Kirsten Williamson	...	Meredith
David Palffy	...	Bruno Slinger
Colin Lawrence	...	Cole

Runtime:

USA:98 min

Country:

Canada | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Certification:

Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Insight Film Studios

Goofs:

Continuity: In the love scene between Strachey and Timmy, Strachey's tattoo is on his right arm. When he wakes up the next morning and climbs out of bed, his tattoo is on his left arm. Other scenes in the movie show inconsistent arm placement as well.

Quotes:

Helen: [On the phone] Auto motor vehicles.
Donald Strachey: [On the phone] Hi Helen, it's Donald Strachey.
Helen: [On the phone] Hello, handsome. Still gay?
Donald Strachey: [On the phone]
[Chuckles]
Donald Strachey: Are you still beautiful?
Helen: [On the phone]
[Chuckles]
Helen: Just give me the plate number and I'll run a check.

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Martinis By Moonlight

Chad Allen is perfectly cast as Donald Strachey, a slightly haggard and totally "out" gay PI who lives with his Brooks Brothers hubby, Timmy (played by Sebastian Spence). Set in Albany, New York, of all places, Strachey investigates the attempted murder of gay activist John Rutka (Jack Wetherall), who has made enemies by "outing" still-in-the-closet VIPs.

The film's final ten minutes transform what had been a mildly interesting story into a blockbuster whodunit that even Agatha Christie would be proud of. It's been quite some time since I have watched a film wherein the plot twists were so startling and stunning. The film's writers give you the clues you need to solve the puzzle. But those clues are so subtle that the probability that you will latch onto them is slightly greater than zero. It's worth every bit of the viewers' time to endure a tangled, serpentine plot, and some minor plot holes, one of which could have been corrected by the use of a different camera angle.

The somewhat muddled plot conceals a substantial theme. But again, that theme does not appear until the final ten minutes. This is the kind of film you have to stay with, to appreciate its significance.

Apart from the great story, "Third Man Out" exudes a classy, cosmo-chic style, reminiscent of 1940's crime noir, by way of the sultry jazz sounds of "In Heat, In Love" and "Martinis By Moonlight". At appropriate intervals, shadowy induced suspense punctuates the trendy atmosphere, consistent with what viewers would expect, for a whodunit.

The film's cinematography, especially the lighting, is excellent. Production design and costumes (love those black suede jackets) render high quality visuals. Overall, acting is adequate. And some of the dialogue sparkles: "You know, I'm starting to wonder if maybe life isn't always so black and white, in Kansas maybe, but not here in Emerald City".

Despite a slightly tangled plot, "Third Man Out" is a terrific film that can be enjoyed by viewers, gay or straight, who revel in stylistic murder mysteries.