The Art of Being Straight (2008)

Director:

Jesse Rosen

Writer:

Jesse Rosen (written by)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

A sexy, comedic drama about two college friends questioning their careers and sexuality in east Los Angeles.

Plot Keywords:

College | Straight | Gay | Homosexual | Coming Out

Awards:

1 win

Cast

  (Credited cast)

Johnny Ray	...	Paul
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rachel Castillo	...	Maddy
Jim Dineen	...	Young Male Office Assistant
Jared Grey	...	Andy
Jesse Janzen	...	Brian
Tyler Jenich	...	Cole
Alan LaPolice	...	Rand
Bryan McGowan	...	Matt
Anne Reeder	...	Simone
Emilia Richeson	...	Anna
Jesse Rosen	...	Jon
Dana May Salah	...	Renee
Pete Scherer	...	Aaron
Jen Zaborowski	...	Bela

Runtime:

USA:70 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Great Graffiti Films

Cute But Fluffy Film

There is nothing particularly bad about the Art of Being Straight, but there is nothing especially good. Rachel Castillo does deliver a delightful performance as the lead character's ex-girlfriend who is now in a committed lesbian relationship, but dealing with her attraction to the new guy who moved in next-door. Unfortunately, the parallel main plot and lead performance given by the writer/director Jesse Rosen is not as engaging as he explores his own sexual identity. Mr. Rosen acting is lifeless and his character is dull. However, the film's tone is warm, the dialogue is sincere, and the movie smartly avoids heavy angst (for the most part) and tedious academic explorations of identity politics; however, it just ends up coming up short. The movie is neither intellectually provocative, nor particularly sexy (I am not arguing for more graphic sex scenes, but the few sex scenes which were shot are so insipid and boring they should have simply been left out). The film also occasionally stretches credulity when it needs to be believable. But most problematic is that the movie fails to deliver much of a message beyond "life isn't always black and white"--something other films have conveyed in a much more thoughtful and effective manner. In the end, the film is a mildly interesting "slice of life" flick, but mostly it's just a harmless bit of fluff. It's something worth catching for free on cable, if you have an empty hour on your hands, but it is nothing worth going out of your way to see.