The Velocity of Gary (1998)

Valentino is an Ex Adult film star very much in love with his girlfriend Mary Carmen....and boyfriend Gary. Things take a tragic turn when Valentino is rushed to the hospital after ... See full summary »

Director:

Dan Ireland

Writer:

James Still

Stars:

Vincent D'Onofrio, Salma Hayek, Thomas Jane

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent D'Onofrio	...	Valentino
Salma Hayek	...	Mary Carmen
Thomas Jane	...	Gary * (His Real Name)
Olivia d'Abo	...	Veronica
Shawn Michael Howard	...	Coco
Khalil Kain	...	Venus
Chad Lindberg	...	Kid Joey
Cordelia Richards	...	Jana Roberts
Danny Arroyo	...	Thug #1 on Street
Bingo	...	Rodney
Jason Cutler	...	Romaine
Elizabeth D'Onofrio	...	Dorothy
Hawk D'Onofrio	...	Running Boy (as Hakan D'Onofrio)
Keegan de Lancie	...	Choir Boy
Ravell Dameron	...	Receptionist in Clinic

Storyline

Valentino is an Ex Adult film star very much in love with his girlfriend Mary Carmen....and boyfriend Gary. Things take a tragic turn when Valentino is rushed to the hospital after collapsing on a city street and is diagnosed with HIV/AIDS...Forcing Mary Carmen and Gary to push aside their jealousy & differences to take care of the man they both love while he is dying. Ultimately finding comfort, understanding, and strength in the other.

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Plot Keywords:

dying | tears | hospital | punctuation in title | parenthesis in title | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong sexual content, language, some drug use and violent images

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 July 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Velocity of Gary* *(Not His Real Name)

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cineville, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Dan Lupovitz Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Valentino: I don't wanna live without you guys. And now I don't wanna die without you.

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Connections

References The Whole Wide World (1996)

User Reviews

Moving and involving

Dan Ireland's film The Velocity of Gary* (*Not his real name)is both moving and involving, painting a honest depiction of unconventional love in an almost abstract, fantastical way. I tracked this film down (not an easy task here in the UK) as a loyal follower of the great Thomas Jane and was not disappointed when I finally got to watch it. Jane plays Gary, a hustler in New York who falls under the loving wing of Valentino, an adult film actor played by Vincent D' Onofrio. Both have an immediate attraction to one another (sexual? paternal, in Valentino's case?) but things are complicated by the presence of Valentino's shrieking girlfriend Mary Carmen (Salma Hayek). A brutal yet genuinely loving emotional triangle is formed, then tragedy strikes as Valentino is diagnosed with AIDS. Adapted by James Still from his own one man play, this is raw, passionate stuff, and not to everyone's taste. But to those who want to taste something a little different, I highly recommend the picture. Two factors keep the interest throughout: 1) Jane. His performance is honest, brave and utterly believable. He has to be the best working young actor in American film at this point in time. 2) The films original score by Peitor Angell is as moving as its source material. The films theme (though it only appears during the opening credits and during a festival some time later) is a beautiful piece of film composition. This is an intimate little flick which, whilst never exactly 'feel-good', highlights the gift of life and making the most of it.