ruralstar
Kevin McKidd Online staff
website McFic
Life is a Journey of the Mind. Anything can happen....Just wait
Posts: 2,233
|
Post by ruralstar on Oct 7, 2008 10:41:34 GMT -5
I'm just now getting to see this courtesy of links posted by oldounce. What sheer delight.
As an American living in a rural community I was raised with an oversensitivity to homosexuality. While not a 'taboo' subject amongst my parents and their peers it was certainly not a casually discussed concept. We didn't know anyone who was gay. I've not seen very many films that treat the idea so openly and the visuals of two men in even the most casual type of intimate contact is a bit jarring. Putting all that aside, I've enjoyed the film immensely.
Good spirited laughs and a dose of the absurd on the camping trip and in most of the 'men's group' scenes make it a good time. Underneath there is a semi serious exploration of what it means to actually understand oneself. Really know what you seek in life. You get serious shades like Leo and Brendan talking about committment when both are in a very vulnerable position. Or the confessions of Leo and Brendan to a very confused but understadning Sally. Honestly, she gives them both alot more leeway than most women would. Even Darren's horror at discovering that Leo might not be as homosexual as he would like has a serious undertone as it seems to cast some doubt upon Darren's personal choice in a lover. I know this film was not revolutionary in terms of subject matter. It was just something new for me and that's part of what I enjoyed about it.
Aside from that Kevin as Leo is a delight. So very different from other characters I've seen him play. This was a real romantic comedy in the best sense of the word, not like the drech of MOH. He's got lovely timing and an ability to play the innocent that had me laughing so many tiimes during Bedrooms and Hallways. I also give Kevin huge credit for being so casually physical in so many scenes. I'm guessing there is alot of trust between him and James Purefoy especially. Very sweet little film that I will have to add to my personal collection.
|
|
|
Post by Leanne on Oct 7, 2008 12:27:04 GMT -5
LOL I come from the Gay capital of South Africa...nothing shocks me any more.
But I always find it interesting that Movie stars take on roles like this. I remember reading about Matthew Rhys (brothers and Sisters) that he was gay in real life (even check out the threads on IMDB about how he is) and then all of a sudden he was dating Sienna Miller and not gay...so it looks like there is the potential to cast doubt in the minds of your fans as to whether you are or aren't, most straight men would stay clear of being labeled gay in any way even if its just acting. So with that in mind I take my hat off to both these actors for taking on such a role.
It was an extremely funny and enjoyable movie...glad you liked it Ruralstar
I always find this little tid bit amusing
Bedrooms And Hallways gave him another new challenge - his first screen kiss with a man.
He shudders: "I had to kiss James Purefoy and it was horrible. But purely because he had really bad stubble and I now understand why women complain. I shave regularly now because of that experience."
credit and full article under new on our main site Synnot, Siobhan. "Kevin has passed the acid test; STARSPOTTING: McKIDD IS ALRIGHT." Daily Record. 2 Jan. 1999.
|
|
ruralstar
Kevin McKidd Online staff
website McFic
Life is a Journey of the Mind. Anything can happen....Just wait
Posts: 2,233
|
Post by ruralstar on Oct 7, 2008 12:56:57 GMT -5
Oh Leanne thanks for that snippet! OMG I'm dying laughing now. FTR, I think Kevin looks great clean shaven and I pity the actress in GTP who had to deal with his beard. Then again, it was probably a darn sight softer at that length than JP's stubble!
I think Kevin should get high marks for being able to pull off a natural looking performance in a part that is bound to be uncomfortable for any straight man. It's a testament to an actor's willingness to push their limits. The same for James Purefoy. They both went on to play virile Alpha males in Rome. You couldn't get more opposite of Leo in Lucius or Brendan in Antony.
Additionally there is a touching sense of vulnerability in Leo and to a lesser extent his flatmate and friend Darren. That vulnerability does not make them less male but rather more complete human beings. They were multi dimensional and I find that aspect often lacking in romantic comedy characters. If it is there, as in MOH, then it feels fake. A put on as much as the characters themselves are merely words on a page. I'm not suggesting that this was some sort of high water mark in film making. Far from it. It just had some entertaining aspects that good performances enhanced.
My only real quibble comes with the last line of the film. When Darren discovers Sally and Leo together he remarks: "Perhaps it's just a phase." The implication being that Leo cannot stay in love with Sally or cannot love both Sally and possibly another man in his future. It feels a bit like a cheat. *shrugs*
|
|
|
Post by Leanne on Oct 7, 2008 13:28:46 GMT -5
I have to agree its a sign of good acting -
heres a few more tid bits
McKidd is in mischievous form as he explains with a wide grin how sex may take place in bedrooms but the decision to make love is often taken in hallways. "It's brilliant, and the best thing is it's a film about people in their twenties trying to choose what their whole life is about, who they are, and that entails dealing with their sexuality. It's fun, but at the same time, it makes you think."
"It was great. I really enjoyed that part. The whole film gears around Leo, who at the start is very much gay, yet becomes involved again with his very first girlfriend. What I liked about the story is that it makes you realise that all your preconceived ideas about your own sexuality and any preconceived ideas about how you lead your life are not necessarily the way you have to do things." The American director, Rose Troche, specifically sought a straight actor to play Leo. "I didn't want a camp, cloney kind of guy. It was very important that he was just as comfortable on screen with women as with men. When we saw Kevin, we knew he had the look and the skill to bring out the complex and important questions associated with sexual identity."
Robert Farrar, who wrote the screenplay for Bedrooms and Hallways, says the story was an act of self-revelation. "I wanted to explore the whole theme of masculinity and gay identity. I wanted to create a world in which characters swap sexual identities and forget all that divisive ghetto-ised stuff about either being gay or being straight. We are open to make choices and it's not confined to rigid stereotypes."
"I identified immediately with Leo's quest for romantic fulfilment, so I couldn't resist the part," says McKidd. "He reminded me very much of myself in certain ways. Leo is someone who doesn't take risks, who has complete control of his life but isn't happy. Then when he takes a proactive step, by admitting he fancies Brendan at the men's group, everything careers out of control and suddenly all those boxes he'd put his life into are split apart. The film takes sexual identity and our notions of gender one step into the future."
Credit and full article under news on main site Paton, Morris. "Choose sex." The Sunday Herald. 7 March 1999.
and just an observation Kevin wasn't married when he did this movie....
|
|
ruralstar
Kevin McKidd Online staff
website McFic
Life is a Journey of the Mind. Anything can happen....Just wait
Posts: 2,233
|
Post by ruralstar on Oct 7, 2008 13:50:21 GMT -5
and just an observation Kevin wasn't married when he did this movie.... Yeah I can imagine THOSE conversations after a day at the office if he were! Thanks for the article Leanne and good on Kevin for being so forthright.
|
|
|
Post by anaterra on Oct 8, 2008 15:57:35 GMT -5
Well, I live in Brazil´s gay capital (Rio!!) and, what´s more, I live in one of the town´s gayest neighborhoods (even in my building there´s a gay majority, for both sides), so I guess that, as with Leanne, I hardly get shocked. But I´ve seen B&H right after Rome and that´s when I found out Kevin´s range. As you´ve all noticed, he´s usually a very masculine actor in a physical sense (guess that´s what attracted us all ), but with Leo he portrays a delicacy that´s far from being stereotyped though is also very "feminine" - warm, sensible and cozy, things that women usually do well and men not so much. But that can be attractive to women too, can´t it? Not many actors can or are willing to go to that place. Even Heath Ledger´s highly praised (and deservedly so) portray of a repressed "macho" gay man is still a "macho" man. On the other opposite, Philip Seymour-Hoffman played extremely well a totally stereotyped gay - not his fault, since Truman Capote was a stereotyped gay. But I think that Leo is much more nuanced, due both to the character and to Kevin´s performance.
|
|
|
Post by bubba89 on Apr 28, 2009 23:54:47 GMT -5
I loved this movie. I thought the acting was so great and it seemed so real. Kevin is an amazing actor and I absolutely loved Leo. Part of the reason I think I loved it so much is because it's not really like what I've seen before because like ruralstar I am an american. And here there is a bit more homophobia so movies aren't really made here like this one. But at any rate I think (hope at least) that as time goes on people are becoming more accepting of others no matter what.
|
|
|
Post by kaz on Apr 29, 2009 0:32:01 GMT -5
I loved this movie. I thought the acting was so great and it seemed so real. Kevin is an amazing actor and I absolutely loved Leo. Part of the reason I think I loved it so much is because it's not really like what I've seen before because like ruralstar I am an american. And here there is a bit more homophobia so movies aren't really made here like this one. But at any rate I think (hope at least) that as time goes on people are becoming more accepting of others no matter what. This is a great movie and definitely epitomises british humour (which is alot like Australian humour being that we're a Commonwealth country). It's great to see Kevin's comedic timing on show here. It really is spot on. K.
|
|
|
Post by ohcyfan on Jun 14, 2009 4:21:58 GMT -5
Wow! Just saw this movie tonight and I loved it! Kevin has such incredible range. It took me no time at all to accept him in this role, even though I'm used to seeing him so much more manly. He managed to pull off the character and the comedy so that Leo felt totally real. I loved James Purefoy in this movie, too. What a little gem of a movie!
|
|
Geniusmentis
KMKonliner
McVid
I only have 2 neurons and one of them is usually sleeping.
Posts: 4,067
|
Post by Geniusmentis on Jun 14, 2009 5:02:56 GMT -5
Yes, I love this movie and I adore Kev in this movie. And I was very happy to see James Purefoy !!
|
|
|
Post by odoacer on Jun 15, 2009 1:59:56 GMT -5
Kev did an excellent job as Leo! Vulnerable, sweet, yearning for love, a real 'pup of a lad' as he was once called in a BH review. You couldn't help but liking Leo.. But what to think of Hugo Weaving?!? I nearly died laughing watching some of his scenes! All in all a very enjoyable movie.
|
|
|
Post by cl3me on Jun 15, 2009 22:06:40 GMT -5
Finally watched this. I thought it was brilliant!!!! Have had the chance to get to know a very fun group of gays through a friend (she was roomates with 2 gay guys, and has continued to be close friends with them and their friends even though she is married now and everyone has moved on, so the whole flatmate/friends scenario was totally believable for me). A very fun look at the typical struggles with relationships complicated further by issues of sexuality.
I am amazed yet again how Kevin is able to transform himself. He was completely believable as Leo. I love the contrast between assertive guys kind of guy Owen, compared to the sweet, timid Leo.
I love that I am finidng gems like this thanks to this site. Never would have seen it otherwise.
|
|
Geniusmentis
KMKonliner
McVid
I only have 2 neurons and one of them is usually sleeping.
Posts: 4,067
|
Post by Geniusmentis on Jun 16, 2009 5:25:06 GMT -5
Well, when a man is wonderful, he is always wonderful! LOL!
|
|
marcy
KMKonliner
Posts: 2,528
|
Post by marcy on Jun 16, 2009 5:33:24 GMT -5
Well, when a man is wonderful, he is always wonderful! LOL! Agreed! Yes, it's an amazing performance. Frighteningly believable actually. LOL It's one of my favorites. You just have to love Leo. You want to squeeze him and then take him shopping with you. LOL
|
|
Geniusmentis
KMKonliner
McVid
I only have 2 neurons and one of them is usually sleeping.
Posts: 4,067
|
Post by Geniusmentis on Jun 16, 2009 5:45:15 GMT -5
So, we have understood that Kevin, sweet or badass, has a total control over us!! LOL!!
|
|
ruralstar
Kevin McKidd Online staff
website McFic
Life is a Journey of the Mind. Anything can happen....Just wait
Posts: 2,233
|
Post by ruralstar on Jun 16, 2009 7:03:19 GMT -5
I am amazed yet again how Kevin is able to transform himself. He was completely believable as Leo. I love the contrast between assertive guys kind of guy Owen, compared to the sweet, timid Leo. I love that I am finidng gems like this thanks to this site. Never would have seen it otherwise. Kevin has an amazing range. You see nothing of Lucius or Owen in Leo but we all know both characters would later manifest as facets of the same person
I've found some wonderful films courtesy of this site and it's great that others are having the same experience.
|
|
Geniusmentis
KMKonliner
McVid
I only have 2 neurons and one of them is usually sleeping.
Posts: 4,067
|
Post by Geniusmentis on Jun 17, 2009 4:28:15 GMT -5
LOL!
|
|
|
Post by loozy on May 2, 2010 7:51:43 GMT -5
Love it. Love it. Love it. I just wish that Leo had stayed gay and made out a bit more with Brendan *who didn't have an Irish- accent, huuuge disappointment*... What I loved most about it were the conversations between the flatmates, because they just played brilliantly off each other, and the fact that both KMK and JP, who are very masculine and dominant characters, had the chance to display such a light- hearted sight, and also do show their feminine sights... Plus, they are both really hot and them making out made my study- filled evening I looooove this film because it actually shows that even when you are an adult, you can become quite confused with your sexuality...
|
|
marcy
KMKonliner
Posts: 2,528
|
Post by marcy on May 2, 2010 20:37:32 GMT -5
I know what you mean. JP started the film with a slight Irish accent but then lost it somewhere...so irritating.
Yeah, it's a great film and really shows Kevin's (and JP's) range. I loved the banter between the flatmates too. Funny film!
|
|
|
Post by kaz on May 2, 2010 22:02:51 GMT -5
This reminds me that it might be time for a rewatch of this film. I love it alot! It's great to see a different, more light-hearted side of of Kevin onscreen
|
|