Gypsy 83 (2001) User Reviews

Anime-cute boy and best friend hit the road...

[ekeby · 7/10 · 29 December 2006]

When the lead character, 18-year-old goth boy Clive, comments that he doesn't identify with gay people because he could care less about Judy Garland and Stonewall--ouch!

I'm of the gay generation that reveres Stonewall and the gay liberation movement. We were the guys who took the lumps so that kids like Clive could say exactly that--that Stonewall is irrelevant to THEIR gay lives.

Nevertheless, I liked this movie; it's a companion piece to the director's excellent Edge of Seventeen. It's a combination road picture and coming of age story. Sure, it's flawed, but if you're like me you'd rather watched a flawed movie with gay content than a flawed movie without any. For someone my age, there were a lot of years where we didn't have access to ANY gay content.

I agree with another reviewer here that if some of the deleted material had been left in it would have helped the story line. Also, I was a little uncertain about the era until the internet crept into one scene.

The lead actors are quite good. Yaoi! Kett Turton is a cute anime boy come to life--a delectable goth/emo boy who's totally provocative and totally clueless about it. I couldn't help thinking about the straight reviewers here who commented about fast forwarding through the sex scene. I can well understand it. Turton is prettier than most girls and he makes effeminacy innocent AND sexy, something that surely could disturb some straight guys. My advice to them: have a cocktail and run that scene again.

AND--this movie's got Karen Black, that legendary train wreck you can't take your eyes off of.

Not A Bad Movie

[whitewingedove17 · 8/10 · 14 May 2008]

I had been wanting to see this movie since I first heard it was being made. Being a huge Stevie Nicks fan, I figured there'd be something in this movie for me. I even remember when they were inviting extras to come to New York City to be in the club for filming (of course I couldn't go at the time). At any rate, this DVD is actually pretty good. I wasn't really sure how I'd like it. It does kinda remind me of my younger days of trying to find some kind of acceptance in a world full of morons. I'm from the West Virginia/Ohio area, so I could relate to the idiots that were in this movie who were so clueless that you just wanna smack the hell out of them. I was bummed that they couldn't get the rights to use Stevie's music for this movie...I think that would have made a slight difference. But with or without her music, I thought the movie was really good. I wasn't so crazy about Karen Black's character, but that's just my opinion. I think the two main characters tho, Gypsy and Clive, gave a really good performance in this. Good acting.

Very good film

[kaiju0 · 8/10 · 31 January 2005]

I have been looking forward to seeing this film for some time. I had read an interview with the director and couldn't help but be drawn to it. Before I begin, let me make the following statements:

1. I grew up in a small town in Indiana. 2. I have always enjoyed the music and culture of goth, but have never been a "part of the lifestyle" the way in which either Clive nor the mean NY goths were portrayed. I never immersed myself in it, never really wanted to. 3. I live in a major city now, one with an established goth underworld, one that I do take part in, from time to time. I still enjoy it to this day, though I am a bit long in the tooth for vinyl and leather.

Having made those disclaimers, I encourage anyone who takes a look at this in a video store but isn't sure that it is good, to pick it up, take it home, and get an excellent look at what it means to be young and outcast in a community that just doesn't understand you, nor cares to try. This film is a very strong and unforgiving look at the lives of two very realistic characters and their attempts to find somewhere they can be happy.

It is wonderfully acted by Sara Rue (whom I never saw as a dramatic actress or solid romantic lead until this film) with strong performances from John Doe and Kett Turton. Doe is an underrated actor and is perfectly used in this film. Turton's performance is either intentionally brilliant, or unconsciously precise. Clive IS acting when in his gear, an Turton brings forth an awkwardness in those scenes. When Clive's guard is down (the bathroom scene, and in the deleted scene "the accident") Turton is more comfortable in the role. I haven't seen the majority of his body of work, I will make a concerted effort now to do so.

There is a lot of commenting on Sara's appearance in this film. I must admit that I found her stunningly beautiful in this movie. I have always found her to be attractive and perhaps one reason is that she doesn't look like every other actress. But in this film it has more to do with Gypsy's attitude and style. I sincerely hope that we see Sara cast more as a main character and not just as a supporting role. She has the talent and skill to carry off most any role, and it is past time that members of the entertainment industry recognize that a woman with more than the optimum weight can still be quite appealing to the eye.

I don't know if the director, Mr Stepens, intends to continue making films, but I do hope he continues. I would like to see what other work might come from what I see to be a promising director. Likewise the other writer credited Mr Kaltenecker. This film works because of all the pieces, and writers never get the credit they deserve. Please bring us more, gentlemen. I will be looking for it, at least.

This type of film needs as much support as possible. It is not going to change the way LA or New York do business, but whoever said those are the only places for movies to come from.

Surprisingly good

[drs-09434 · 7/10 · 18 September 2021]

OK I'll be honest. I watched this because it had Sara Rue topless in it but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this actually was. 2 friends go on a journey and find out who they are along the way. This is well worth the watch.

Quite entertaining...

[paul_haakonsen · 7/10 · 10 July 2021]

I stumbled upon the 2001 movie "Gypsy 83" by sheer random chance here in 2021. And since it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, of course I picked it up and gave it a shot.

And rightfully so, because "Gypsy 83" turned out to be a rather entertaining movie. I must admit that I hadn't expected it to be something in this magnitude. Writers Todd Stephens and Tim Kaltenecker definitely nailed it right on the head with the story they concocted for this movie.

The storyline is an emotional journey of growth, friendship, transitioning into adulthood, coming to terms with loss and the past, and of not being ashamed of who you are. I am sure that there are many more levels to the movie, but these are the main focus points I think. And writers Todd Stephens and Tim Kaltenecker most certainly wrote this one well.

Not only was the storyline a moving and emotional one, but the characters in the movie were also amazingly detailed and fleshed out. So writers Todd Stephens and Tim Kaltenecker came up with very real characters with dimensions, qualities, quirks, etc. And you immediately take a liking to the characters and bond with them. Thumbs up to the writers on that accomplishment.

But a movie with a great script and story is only so much without having a proper casted selected of actors and actresses to perform in the movie. And I must say that "Gypsy 83" definitely had a great ensemble of actors and actresses. Especially Sara Rue (playing Gypsy) and Birkett Turton (playing Clive), the two lead performers, they really carried the movie phenomenally well and put on very realistic and emotional performances. And it was a blast to see legendary Karen Black in the movie, just a shame she didn't have a larger role.

"Gypsy 83" was a movie that definitely entertained me genuinely, and it was a rather nice surprise of a movie - one that I am very happy that I sat down to watch.

If you haven't already seen "Gypsy 83", and if you get the chance to do so, I recommend that you spend the time to watch it, because this was a good and wholesome movie.

My rating of "Gypsy 83" lands on a seven out of ten stars.

The most intelligent and moving coming-of-age film in years

[ThrownMuse · 10/10 · 18 January 2005]

Gypsy (Sara Rue) is a 20-something girl working a dead-end job in an Ohio suburb, where she lives with her clueless but loving father (John Doe, of seminal punk band X). Her best friend, Clive (Kett Turton), is a creative gothy teen in the process of coming-out. They share the bond of having lost their mothers as young children, having replaced them in their minds with everyone's favorite fabulous surrogate godmother: Stevie Nicks! When they find out about NYC's "Night of 1,000 Stevies" they decide to put their lives on hold, skip town, and road-trip it so Gypsy can compete in the karaoke contest and maybe meet her musician mother.

The trailer for this movie was lame, and I'll admit I only rented it because I'm a Stevie fan and I always wanted to check out Night of 1000 Stevies. As I watched the opening scene (which was used in the trailer), I was expecting a silly popcorn flick. It quickly became evident that this was not a typical "coming of age" movie. In fact, "Gypsy 83" ended up being the most original, heartfelt, and well-scripted coming-of-age movies since 1997's "All Over Me."

The characterization is nothing short of brilliant. This is one of those rare films that makes you really fall in love with the characters, despite their shortcomings. Gypsy and Clive are complex characters and far from being the archetypes usually found in this genre. The story revolves partly around their relationship, and it is an honest portrayal of a "straight-girl/gay-boy" relationship that goes beyond the sexist and homophobic notion of the "faghag." On their trip, they bump into a handful of colorful characters that are catalysts for the personal growth of the leads. These include a sexy Amish runaway (Anson Scoville), a former wannabe-pop-singer turned small-town karaoke chanteuse (the fabulously strange Karen Black), and an RV full of obnoxious hazing frat boys.

The writing is clever and original. Gypsy's tough-as-nails comebacks ("try being a freak in the real world, you catty c*nts!" to a bunch of gay goth boys in NYC) make her an admirable character that is easy to root for. While the "gothness" of the movie seems off-putting at first, it is actually used in a clever and unique way. Instead of using it to be scary or to stand-out (a la The "Craft"), this movie uses it to illustrate the personal changes the characters undergo. There are a couple scenes that are a bit absurd, such as when they camp out at a rest stop, light a bunch of candles, and drink absinthe. But this is forgiven as it is a set-up for two very sensitive and well-written scenes.

Music is also a key element used to illustrate Gypsy's coming-of-age. In the beginning of the movie, we see her singing a song from her parents' old band. We later learn that Gypsy's mother, Velvet, taught her to play and sing Stevie Nicks songs when she was a little girl. The soundtrack is killer. There is little Stevie music. Likely due to copyright issues, all we get are remixes and karaoke renditions of "Talk to Me." There are classic songs by The Cure, a sexy siren song sung by Karen Black, and an achingly gorgeous original by Sara Rue (who rather sounds like a young Stevie but has a voice all her own).

Like the equally brilliant "All Over Me" before it, the lead characters face brutal situations, as well as amazingly happy situations. While not as bleak as that movie, "Gypsy 83" is a beautiful film about accepting and loving yourself and coming to terms with tragic events from your past. Sometimes cheesy but never cliché, this is not a condescending coming-of-age film. And hey, any movie that uses "twirling like Stevie" as a metaphor is brilliant indeed! My Rating: 10/10.

I wonder why

[Kbox214 · 6/10 · 24 March 2005]

This movie shows great effort of screen-thinking, but fails to satisfy the viewer in the end. What happened to Gypsy? What happened to Clive? What happened to Troy? What was the purpose of the lounge singer? There is definitely many aspects that could have been played up and further explained, but the director did maintain his focus on Gypsy. I wish someone would have directly came out and stated why Gypsy identified herself as 'Gypsy 83' (for all of us who figured it out - 83 is for 1983 when Gypsy's mother left her). Also, why did Gypsy's father keep the poems from her all those years? If my dad did that to me, I would surely never return home either.

Overall it was interesting. If you're tired of seeing the same old - you should try to watch and understand something you don't.

Pleasantly surprised, enjoyable movie!

[Prettylittlelie · 10/10 · 22 December 2004]

This movie is REALLY cute. It's sort of a coming-of-age film which covers love, loss and sexuality. I wasn't expecting much of this movie but was pleasantly surprised. It's been awhile since I've seen a movie like this, it's a refreshingly off beat, funny, romantic drama. It was unpredictable and I actually cared about the characters (a big complaint for me with today's dramas is that the characters are unlikable or uninteresting, not the case here). Kett Turton's character Clive really steals your heart. I recommend watching the deleted scenes as they showcase more of Clive's back-story and Kett's acting skills. The characters and their relationships were very realistic, which to me is vital in movies. I could relate with their behavior in their situation, unlike a lot of young-adult characters, they didn't make decisions ridiculous and stupid enough to make me hate them (the actions of teens in main-stream films such as How To Deal and the likes are so stupid they anger me if I am ever forced to watch them). For those who are interested in this movie I also highly recommend Saved! also with Kett Turton, plus Mcauly Culkin and Jena Malone.

Sara Rue Naked? That alone might be worth the price of admission.

[Ddey65 · 6/10 · 22 December 2004]

Had Sara Rue never been picked for the starring role of Claude Casey in "Less Than Perfect"(2002), I honestly doubt I'd even consider seeing this movie, and I'm probably not alone. Because it was that show that made me a fan after seeing her on screen elsewhere since she was a kid, yet I'm a straight man so I normally don't have any interest in gay cinema, but I don't mind independent films even if I don't get the chance to see as many as I'd like, just as I do with every other movie.

Gypsy Vale(Sara Rue) is a 25-year-old fat goth girl who works in a Foto-Mat in Sandusky, Ohio, who's dreams of being the next Stevie Nicks have been put on hold. Her father is an ex-grunge rocker who now runs a music shop and offers lessons. Her mother was a member of the same band, and hasn't been around since she got divorced when Gypsy was eight years old. Her only friend is Clive Webb(Kett Turton), another goth boy who's still in high school and is "Queer with a capital Q." Through the web they learn that a Stevie Nicks-themed karaoke contest is being held in New York City. Being a fan, Gypsy can't miss it, and with encouragement from Clive, and the hopes of reuniting with her mother who's said to be one of the judges, she goes for it. Along the way they meet some interesting people, including a frat leader(Paulo Costanzo) initiating some new members, a drunken former lounge singer and karaoke bar hostess(Karen Black), and a wayward Amish boy(Anson Scoville), with a secret of his own. As Bambi Le Bleau, Karen Black looks like she's trying to be Lorertta Lynn if she had been a lounge singer. She also has serious delusions of grandeur, because the truth is she's never sold a single record.

Both Gypsy and Clive lose their virginity in a rest area AND get screwed. If I may step into a Beavis and Butt-head vernacular, Ms. Rue has huge thingies, as most fat women do. Of course the sex scenes with Kett Turton, and Paulo Costanzo is a reminder of why I'm glad I never became an actor, because I'd never do a love scene with another man no matter how fake it is. People as well as many websites have mistakenly claimed the movie was made in 2004, when in fact it was made in 2001. The backdrop of New York City, which includes the World Trade Center still standing as if nothing was going to happen to it at the end of the summer should be a clue to this, as should the fact that Rue has lost a lot of weight since then.

All I'm going to say is that you won't find a happy ending, but Rue does bring down the house, and the movie with her performance of "Voice So Sweet"(or something like that), which is the only original song. Like an earlier reviewer suggested, if you're a fan of Sara or are into gay cinema you might like it.

Good acting and script idea, poor execution.

[webnetca · 5/10 · 8 September 2012]

I am not a movie critic or film buff. I watch for enjoyment. The acting is very good. The script, editing, sound mixing, and directing of this film was not. Too much background noise, words said that could not possible come from the characters mouth, unbelievable scenes cropping up from nowhere.

A young man running away from his Amish family, who doesn't know how to fill a tank with gas, when ineptly shown how says "awesome". This is just one of many instances in a script that screams AMATEUR writing.

I spent as much time trying to focus out from the poor production quality as I did watching the actual film.

Very good movie

[goliath111 · 10/10 · 2 January 2005]

I really enjoyed this movie. The two main characters had incredible chemistry and I especially loved the story itself. The acting is in top form, all the actors did a wonderful job bringing a realness to their character.

I feel Stevie's management made a big mistake by not allowing ANY of her songs in the film. It would've added a little bit more to this otherwise perfect tale.

I bought the DVD yesterday and watched the extra features, I especially loved the "Battle of the Stevies" (although, there is no audio), it brought back memories when I went to "The Night of 1000 Stevies" several years ago. 10/10

okay for a rainy day

[absinthe522 · 7/10 · 6 January 2005]

I just rented and watched this movie after hearing about it online somewhere. It wasn't all that bad. I guess to fully appreciate this movie you have to be goth or at least open-minded to the goth lifestyle. The movie has a decent soundtrack which is all artists on Metropolis Records. As previously commented, beware of a rather disturbing and drawn out sex scene during the film, you may want to fast forward. The film was rather short, and added a lot of drawn-out filler scenes. I would say you should go and rent it if you are up for something just different than your everyday movies. If you have a closed mind and are not into alternative lifestyles, then this movie is probably not for you.

In-your-face obnoxiousness

[moonspinner55 · 2/10 · 28 May 2007]

Two misfits from modern-day Ohio (25-year old Gypsy, who longs to be a songwriter but works at the Foto Hut, and Clive, only 18 but into Goth bands and Edward Scissorhands outfits) drive to New York City to find fame in the entertainment world. However, Gypsy has another reason for taking the trip: to locate the mother who ran out on her and her dad years ago. Flimsy, low-budget movie built on the perception that audiences will be able to identify with these kids but, as played by Sara Rue and Kett Turton, they are twin terribles, selfish people who take a journey of self-discovery, only to realize they are indeed selfish. The sloppy continuity and sketchy narrative aside, the movie tries to work in romantic complications and character-driven matters of the heart, but Rue (who looks like she's scowling even when she's smiling) approaches every scene the same way, with abject impatience. Turton, playing gay, continually rolls his eyes and fingers his black lips, but there's no reason these two would be friends--they don't even like the same type of music. Karen Black gives it a momentary boost with an interesting supporting bit (and we get just enough of her before director Todd Stephens moves on), but even for a fluffball comedy-drama, "Gypsy 83" is full of problems--not the least of which is the fact Rue's character adores Stevie Nicks, yet the only song she seems to know is "Talk to Me", which Nicks did not write. The movie isn't poorly made, it has a few scenes that work, yet the overall lack of imagination (and budget) turns it into a catty throwaway. *1/2 from ****

Sketchy

[triskela · 7/10 · 22 December 2004]

This movie has great ideas that it often fails to deliver on. The main thing that is missing is the character development upon which to hang the rest of the movie's plot. I also would have been happier to know the precise time period of the movie (I'm guessing late 1990s) because there are times when it feels like a period piece more than a present day setting - in a sense I am contending that it misses the mark in terms of when the story takes place.

The two main characters have mutual tragedies involving parents that are not fully explored in the movie - in fact, it looks like some of that footage was intentionally left out based on bonus "deleted scenes" available on the DVD. Big mistake - the film needs those scenes most importantly for the Clive character to fully develop.

And about the time period thing again, the use of the Internet in the movie suggests to me that these characters would not have felt as disconnected as they seem to feel. Given the existence of the Internet these characters (with access to a car) would have been more a part of some Goth scene within driving distance. I am sorry, but it's a given that the Internet is a gateway resource for any subculture. These two characters would have had online friends with similar interests and so on. While the possible cattiness of the gay subculture is well developed during the "Night of 1000 Stevies" when two NY Goths refer to Clive as a poseur - it seems to me that he wouldn't have had to lie about knowing/not knowing about Poppy Z. Brite, he simply would have known all about her because of the Internet. In fact, I'd say that any Goths that would insult another Goth as being a poseur for knowing/not knowing about something or other were themselves the poseurs - Goths are not wildly judgmental people as a rule (or at least not in my experience). Another point: the days of having to make your own clothes are long gone when many malls across the country have a Hot Topic store to cater to all of your Goth whims. A lot of this stuff would have made more sense firmly set in the mid 1980s: no Internet and no mall shops to sell you ready-made Goth gear.

Post MTV's "Art School Girls of Doom" (circa early 1990s) and SNL's "Goth Talk" (circa 1999) - just how strange or unusual is the Goth subculture supposed to be?

The other side of the coin here is if the two characters were self-satisfied loners, but that's not how the story gets developed. These two characters are looking for a way to fit in and to that extent I think the story rings a little hollow for many members of the Goth subculture. Many people that choose counter culture lifestyles - like that of Goth, or burning man, or what have you - simply do not fit in and don't even want to fit in with an existing mainstream cultures or any static subcultures. Such people revel in their solitary place in the world, they actively seek a way out of the commercial fantasy world sold to us by corporate America.

It's my expectation that one of the writer's was drawing upon a twin "Death Rock" and alienated gay youth from which many of the plot ideas obviously seem to be derived. To that extent, it would have been better to place the film in the Death Rock era (mid 1980s) and to drop some of the more ordinary "road trip" movie trappings. My recommendation would be for the film-makers to drop all attempts at commercial pandering and to succeed with pure originality instead. One gets the idea that they tried to water down what might have been a great story about unique characters who are part of an interesting subculture; but that they got bogged down in trying to do it in some conventional Hollywood movie way (road trip - check, coming of age story - check, overcoming obstacles - check, etc).

All in all, the movie is a kind of magnificent failure. But it could also have been "1000 Stevies" better.

Deceptively low-key drama that suddenly kicks into high gear.

[JimCarl01 · 9/10 · 20 May 2001]

What an excellent surprise GYPSY 83 has been, especially because the first ten minutes did not begin promisingly. This is a road movie that traces the emotional growth of two unlikely best friends: A brazen and outspoken girl in her early 20's who calls herself "Gypsy 83" and her just-about-to come-out-of-the-closet male best friend named Clive, as they travel from Sandusky, Ohio to New York City to attend the NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STEVIES competition---a showcase dedicated to obsessed fans of musical superstar Stevie Nicks. Both are into the "goth" scene, and Gypsy has dreams of becoming a famous singer. The first thirty minutes of the film are deceptively low-key, and then, just as you're ready to predict the rest of the plot, Karen Black arrives as a washed-up Karaoke lounge lizard, and---WHAM!---we're off in a different direction. By the time that Gypsy and Clive pick-up an Amish hitchhiker in Pennsylvania, who's running away from home, and who may or may not be gay, you know you're in a for quite a treat. And when Gypsy and Clive finally do arrive in NYC, the last 40 minutes or so of the film are so relevatory, so heart-warming, and so well-acted... be prepared to marvel (perhaps cry) at it's finale. GYPSY 83 is a film for goth audiences, for male and female audiences of all ages, for gay and straight audiences, and for anyone who's ever been a fan of 70's music.

Not since Sherwood Anderson made Winesburg, Ohio THE place to be FROM, has Ohio seemed such an exotic backdrop!

[poets-1 · 9/10 · 2 January 2005]

Who knew that Sandusky was another Oz? Not since Sherwood Anderson made Winesburg, Ohio THE place to be FROM, has Ohio seemed such an exotic backdrop! Todd Stephens once again shows us that being different in Sandusky may be the crucible out of which our most solid character values are forged. Sara Rue and Kett Turton--with a little help from Karen Black, John Doe, and Anson Scoville ( as the sexiest Amish man since Harrison Ford)--make being different ( Goth, fat, gay, whatever)seem like redemption.

A little road picture becomes, with good writing, direction, and superb performances, a modern-day Canterbury Tales, where the "Night of a 1000 Stevies" is as important a destination as St Thomas Becket's grave.

The journey is itself the important part of the story, and each character that Gypsy ( Rue) and Clive (Turton) meet helps to change them as they, in turn, alter the lives of those they meet.

Do not expect true love and happy endings because like all journeys of self discovery, nothing is perfect and believing, opposite from the adage, is finally seeing.

Rent this DVD; see this movie. Todd Stephens gets better and better. EDGE OF SEVENTEEN was far from being just another teen movie, just another GAY teen movie; so GYPSY 83, too, is far from being another coming of age film. I think it says that we are all essential: frat boys, rednecks, broken-down karaoke singers, Stevie Nicks impersonators, fat girls, hunky Amish farmers, Mary Kay sales queens, and Foto Hut booth girls.

Sandusky, Ohio IS Oz. Todd Stephens knows it.

Oh, and don't miss Karen Black's incredible sultry jazz singing. Why the hell isn't she on Broadway?

Gypsy 83 is about being young and having dreams to follow, while showing older people who have had to leave their dreams behind.

[marv10 · 10/10 · 11 March 2005]

This movie is for people of all ages and all walks of life. It is about being young and having dreams and how to handle the disappointment when you are older and your dreams haven't happened. It is about young people seeing what happens to people whose dreams didn't work out and helping them to realize that they should go for their own dreams no matter what. We get to watch the young people in this film go for their dreams, then the disappointment they have to live with when their dreams hit a bump in the road of life. The acting is excellent, the movie drew me in to the story right from the start. It made me think a lot about life and the dreams I have had to leave behind as I got older. I liked this one so much that after watching the rental I decided to buy it for my DVD collection.

Great Film, Great Cast, One of my new Favorites

[abraxsis-1 · 10/10 · 15 March 2005]

Don't listen to that naysayer above, she obviously has no taste.

If you want to see a great film that has gay themes, coming of age themes, Goth themes, or are a fan of the great Stevie Nicks, then this is a terrific movie to see.

While there are two scenes of "sex" it's nothing more than you would see if you watched Desperate Housewives.

Karen Black, heroine of the great 70's disaster films, also has a small role in the film, in which she's superb. It's worth seeing just for her alone.

Compared to some of the big budget buddy films out today this one is a rare diamond among the chaff. If you come across it at your local video store don't hesitate to rent it.

My thoughts on the movie

[oompa_loompa40 · 9/10 · 14 January 2005]

First of all, I'd just like to say that some of the above comments are completely ridiculous. Someone who is such a straight-edge heterosexual mans comments are nearly useless due to the aforementioned facts. And referring to people as "fat" girls is utterly rude.

Now as for the movie...I actually liked this one quite a bit. It may have gone a little over the top at some times with the drama but all in all it was a tear-jerker. Kett Turton pulls off a very good performance as the vaguely gender challenged Clive. I'd actually never seen Sara Rue in anything else besides "Less than Perfect" and was amazed that it was the same actress. No doubt she has talent. The soundtrack is really killer, and I suggest that you check that one out as well. While this may not be the best movie on the planet, it's always just a good watch.

A Beautiful and Captivating film!

[Peacelovinsoul · 10/10 · 7 March 2005]

To the person that left the comment before me about the love scenes being soft-core porn I think that is ridiculous! The sex scenes were refreshing and tastefully done! Finally! A real woman being viewed as beautiful and enjoying sex. There is a love scene between Gypsy (Sara Rue) and a very a handsome fella named Zachariah(a rebel Amish). Also a gay love scene between Clyde(Gypsy's best friend) and Troy(typical frat guy in denial. They weren't gratuitous or at all out of place unlike so many big budget films that use sex irrelevantly for shock value. In fact, the sex itself portrays the characters vulnerability and desire more so than anything.

But this film was so much more than the love scenes. It's a film that covers these characters journey to self discovery. I'm a sucker for a good coming of age tale that truthfully and poignantly describes: What it's like to face the realization of your own identity and the unfair twists in life.

Sara Rue does her own singing and her voice is splendid! There is a scene where she sings a Stevie Nicks(her inspiration and reason for making the trek from her shitty small middle America town to NYC) song at a middle of nowhere karaoke bar and she totally nails it, after a bit of a nervous start, of course. I've never heard anyone replicate Ms. Nick's voice so well.

It's my favourite film ever!

[szefu3 · 10/10 · 10 January 2014]

First of all - I come from Poland and English language isn't my common language (so I'm sorry for all my grammar mistakes).

I just watched this movie because my favourite actress Sara Rue plays in it. I fell in love with this movie and with both main characters (Gypsy and Clive) - they are so amazing! I really loved the plot, acting, costumes, music and shoots. I recommend this movie to everyone! It really makes you feel happy and then sad after a minute - you really feel the characters and you support them.

You will cross your fingers for Gypsy. You will really like charming Clive.

You don't need gigantic budget, tons of props and radical scenario for making a really good movie.

I recommend this movie especially for all young rock and goth people!

The best film I've ever seen in ages!

[Irishchatter · 10/10 · 26 April 2015]

I am so in love with Gypsy and Clive! They have like the perfect chemistry together and they don't have to date to prove it! God I just think them two would be best friends to anyone regardless of who you are! It was hard luck that they got romantically

involved with jerks but they moved on with that and continued to stick together. Like c'mon any movie should involve characters to form a friendship among each other. It's very uplifting!

Man, Karen Black (god rest her soul) and Sara Rue were just amazing singers! I really think they should've signed up for a record deal because the pair of them were both entertaining and stunning singers!

I honestly loved the guys goth clothes, they looked so striking and beautiful! It makes you think that you shouldn't care what people think of you as a person, not as someone else that would harm you. For example, if you were wearing goth clothes, it doesn't necessarily mean you're a vampire, it just means you like goth fashion full stop. This film gave a clear message and I think people should watch it!

Bravo to the actors!

Not a Stevie fan, but it didn't matter!

[manray6 · 10/10 · 10 October 2002]

I just had the pleasure of viewing this movie this afternoon at the Imageout Film Festival in Rochester, NY and I am practically speechless! This is the first "Goth" movie I have ever seen that has accurately portrayed the culture and one that I could actually identify with. Even with the harsh realities and prejudices displayed, this movie was amazingly funny and deliciously dreamy. Thank you Todd Stephens and all the brave actors and actresses who starred in this film!

Gypsy 83 is a fantastic, original and very unique movie

[sweetboyy_99 · 9/10 · 9 March 2014]

First time I heard about Gypsy 83 was on a forum discussing the one and only Stevie Nicks. I decided to check out the trailer and see if it was any good. And my god, the trailer was horrible. Being the movie lover that I am I still decided to check it out and give it a shot. 10 minutes in and I was already hooked.

Gypsy 83 is one of the most original and amazing movies I've ever seen. The trailer simply didn't do it justice, which proves that you should NEVER judge a movie by it's trailer.

Gypsy 83 is basically a story about two good friends, Gypsy and Clive, and their friendship. One day they decide to go on a trip to Las Vegas, where a show called "Night of the thousand Stevies" takes place. Gypsy is encouraged to perform there. But she's also going there to visit her mother that left her the night when Gypsy was going to perform for school, that made her traumatized. On the way to LV, they face various problems and situations but that doesn't stop them from getting to "A Night of a Thousand Stevies."

So first of, what I gotta give the most credit to, is the actors. The chemistry between them is amazing and it feels like they really are the characters they're playing. It doesn't feel acted or fake at all. It's just real. The actors are really genuine and I'm impressed how passionate the actors are and also how much insight they have. This is the major great thing about the movie. What amazing actors! They show great enthusiasm and they're actually doing they're best to portray the characters and they're doing it right.

The plot of this movie is as original as it gets, and it's a heartwarming, but predictable (in a good way) plot. The script is very good and the dialog is strongly crafted to make sure it stays real and true to the plot. I swear you will not be able to hold your tears back or not relate to the characters - it's impossible not to! You laugh, cry, you get tears in your eyes and you just feel the characters emotions. This is thanks to the actors but also the very strongly written script. This movie, however, should be watched with patience. It's not a very fast movie in the beginning and while that is a good thing to me, some people may find it hard to catch interest to the story. But I promise you if you give it a chance and ignore the god awful trailer, you won't regret it. You'll be glued to the screen through the entire movie. And when it's over, you'll want to watch it again. And again. This is a movie EVERYBODY should watch. Because everything is so well done and this is really something special. It's probably one of the best drama movies I've every seen in my whole life. The only real issue I had with the movie was the music, it was out of place, annoying and a crappy soundtrack. However, this isn't such a big deal to me since the main plot, actors and scenery were great. This is a golden flick that you HAVE to watch at least once. It can't be missed!

9/10

A fairytale for the counter culture

[Kilanna · 10/10 · 21 February 2005]

I loved this movie. I saw it last week and a few weeks before that and I'm watching it again tonight! The characters are fun but not sugar coated. They are real and genuine but still likable enough that they seem to become your friends through the course of watching the movie. Even the supporting and minor characters are well developed (all but one anyway.) I also enjoyed the movie because it was unpredictable. The scenarios depicted could actually happen but I was still just as surprised as the characters were to watch the plot unfold. This movie is silly and fun but also serious and heart warming in parts. The adventure that the characters go on holds your attention and lifts your spirit without being to girly or over dramatized. It gives a good look into the counter culture of today. I'd highly recommend it, and my friend standing next to me recommends it too.