Under One Roof

This movie sucked, I expected badly made softcore smut, but this was sad sad porn, all I kept waiting for was for Robert to drop his pants, and he never did, instead we had to settle for flaccid dicks from a couple of naturalists, and a bad shot of the obligatory queen in the movie. AWFUL. I don't expect these movies to be good, but at least I expect them to be interesting, and the only interesting thing about Under One Roof, were the two guys making out behind me at the theater. Can I just ask? what's up with all the tickling? what are they five? and lets not talk about the technical aspects, because I've seen better acting in regional theater. the only intentionally funny thing in the flick was the grandmother, although the main character's shortcomings got me chuckling a few times.

Couldn't believe the comment in one other review: " Asian men are never portrayed as the central love interest, or god forbid SEXY." Then I realized that the review was written 7 years ago... and in America.

There are now sooooooooo many fantastic Asian films with Asian men as the central love interest and unquestionably they are overwhelmingly,devastatingly sexy, which is more than can be said for this crew. More importantly the films are interesting, well-acted, well-directed, shot in the real world (as opposed to someone's basement) and did I mention, well-acted.

Most of these far superior movies were produced in Asia, for example, Soundless Wind Chime, 15, City without Baseball, Eternal Summer, My Fair Son, Bangkok Love Story ... to name a few. Not high budget, but beautifully presented and with meaningful stories... and with high quality acting even if the central characters are amateurs or even just kids off the street.

Under One Roof is like a badly acted '50's soap opera or a high school production. I'm not sure which is worse, when they appear to be reading their lines in monotones or when they suddenly try to add some (generally inappropriate) emotion while reading their lines. The main character seems to only employ annoyed whining as his style, no matter what the situation. There is no sense of interaction between the actors.

I can't imagine that even 5 or 10 years ago this would have been more than an embarrassing amateurish production.

The humor one may expect, resulting from inter ethnic situations and gay life are here. Gay sit coms (particularly when set in, where else? San Francisco) have become all too common and stereotypical. Yet, this one has some quirkiness, and enough insight to balancing love, family and other responsibilities to make it stand out.

As a gay Asian American man, I grew up watching TV and movies where I was never represented. So for me Under One Roof was a welcome change from the usual Hollywood depiction of Asian men as either mysterious strangers, emasculated servants, or comic side kicks. Asian men are never portrayed as the central love interest, or god forbid SEXY.

Finally there is a movie where I can see myself reflected on the screen. A movie where not only the lead actor, but several supporting actors are gay Asian men. Yes, I am familiar with the Wedding Banquet, and yes it is a better movie, but how many years has it been since a gay Asian man was the lead in a movie?

Now I am not saying this is a great movie, far from it. The acting can be wooden at times, and downright bad at other times, but after having listened to the directors commentary I think a lot of that can be blamed on the way that filming had to be rushed along.

The two leads, Daniel and Robert were convincing in their scenes together, but less so when they were acting with the others in the cast (I think they had real chemistry together) Given the limited budget and time I think everyone did a good job. The writing was a bit stilted in places, but there were some genuinely touching as well as funny scenes in this movie.

AS for the male nudity. As a healthy gay man, I NEVER find frontal male nudity gratuitous. It is always appreciated and very welcome.

Okay, if you are looking for slick Hollywood production values, skip this one. But the film does have sweetness, charm & sincerity. The acting and writing are uneven at best, but I thought James Marks as the boarder Robert was charming & sexy. Yes, "The Wedding Banquet" is a superior film that covers much of the same territory. But "Under One Roof" has its honest pleasures as well.