All Over The Guy

Few movie buffs can argue that "Annie Hall" was one of the better film classics to come out the last half of the 20th century. Few movies have summed up themselves up as brillantly as Woody Allen's dialogue at the end of the movie when discussing the difficulties and frustrations of relationships people constantly put themselves through because "they need the eggs." While this movie was created on a limited $500,000 and may not convey this theme as convincingly as "Annie Hall," it comes very close. Update the topic of "Annie Hall" some 20+ years later with the additon of a gay angle and you have "All Over The Guy." As the plot is described in many reviews here, I won't do that, but instead give some of my perceptions of this wonderful movie! A good combination of actors, dialogue, and songs, especially the two by Peter Stuart, which set a nice tone for important parts in the movie- this flick is a winner!While some reviewers may not completely understand Tom's (Richard Ruccolo) flip-flop personality of nice guy/bad guy in dealing with Eli (Dan Bucatinsky), it makes perfect sense for people who do not feel good enough for a partner they are in love with due to a lack of self-worth within themselves. Particularily in light of the frowns and pressures put on gays in general society, Tom's rebuffs, isolation, one night stands, and alcoholism are easily understood. Both Tom and Eli's personalities, fears, hesitancies, idiosyncrasies, and quirks are "explained" and very well done in scenes involving their relationships with their parents both in the present and in flashbacks as children as Mr. Allen did in "Annie Hall." One of the powers of "All Over The Guy" is how well it communicates the premise that we are who we have become due to the influences of our parents and siblings as we grow up. We become consciously or unconsciously "extensions" of our own parents and family as adults due to our life experiences with them.Julie Davis, the director, and Dan Bucatinsky, who wrote this storyline as a play involving two straight couples do an incredible job of adapting this updated story to the big screen with a gay and straight couple. Great casting and good dialogue, some have unfairly critized, I think, as being too "Friends"-like or "soapy." That's not too surprising to me as two of the actors, Adam Goldberg and Dan B., have both appeared in "Friends"; Sasha Alexander from "Dawson's Creek"; and Richard Ruccolo is of "Three Guys and A Girl" fame. They all carry the dialogue, however, in admirable and entertaining fashion. Add Lisa Kudrow of "Friends" and Doris Roberts of "Everyone Loves Raymond" in great cameos and you've got the whipped cream on the cake. I can't say enough good things about Andrea Martin- the cherry on top of the whipped cream! Ms. Martin- very under-rated and under-appreciated- is one of the funniest comedians and character actresses of our time. Most of her portrayals are borderline-line genius and she doesn't disappoint in this film! Finally, Richard Ruccolo's portrayal of Tom made him the "shining star" in this movie. I came away with a newfound respect for him as an actor than simply labeling him as a "sit-com" actor. I am perplexed why we haven't seen more of him in starring roles after viewing this film.While some may tire of Tom and Eli's on again-off again tug-of-war relationship, it speaks a brillant and universal truth in a great screenplay about a relationship(s) we may have ourselves been in at one time or that we know someone has been in at sometime. The movie flows evenly through funny and serious moments and has one of the most personally intense love scenes- gay or straight- I've ever seen in a movie. While the scene is short on both length and skin, I felt for a brief flash that I was actually "intruding" into a very personal moment between two people. Bravo Dan and Richard!I consider this movie to be one of the better gay-themed movies to be released over the past few years and one I have advocated my friends to see. The DVD also has some nice additions with a commentary track, an additional short film, and an alternate ending. Word of warning! Watch the movie, let it sink in, and assess it (as this is how it was released in the theatre) before watching the alternate ending. It will completely alter your perception of the film. For those who haven't seen this movie or those who were not impressed initially, I say watch or re-watch it from the perspective of what "Annie Hall" conveyed to us about relationships and what makes them so hard. I guarantee you will come away affected, moved, impressed, and inspired by this film.

Glad to finally get this little movie after seeing it hundreds of times over the years on HBO. Why was I so hesitant on getting this good movie on DVD all these years? Glad I finally got it, now I can watch it when I want. I am a gay man who enjoys movies "I can relate to". And I have seen sooo many gay films about an up and coming gay character coming to terms with his sexuality. Once he finds his identity, then what!? That is where "All Over the Guy" picks up. This is a story that is good and funny. The writing is good and so is the acting. The actress playing Jackie (Sasha Alexander) really stands out in this movie. She has some of the funniest lines! The film has several cameos from Christina Ricci, Lisa Kudrow and Andrea Martin to name a few.If you a gay man, you will be able to relate to this little film (because it helps being written by a gay man). So. he knows how it is and the struggles we go through to have a meaningful relationship with another man. This movie is destined to be a gay classic, if it already isn't.

This is one of my favorite movies.It is packed with star power (Christina Ricci, Lisa Kudrow, Doris Roberts, and more) and packed with talent.The two leads (Richard Ruccolo and Dan Bucatinsky) and have an on-again-off-again romance on their rocky road to finding a compromise between what each of them want in a relationship.Their friends (Sasha Alexander and Adam Goldberg) have a less-rocky but equally funny romance. The two couples are compared and contrasted and the result is an interesting, insightful, funny, and touching movie that works exceptionally well. Sasha Alexander, particularly, is a standout in this wonderful ensemble cast.The dialog in this film is exceptionally tight and very funny. You have to listen carefully to get all the jokes and probably watch it more than once. Probably, you will want to.It's a commentary on relationships (both straight and gay,) friendships, family, and love, done with humor and tenderness.Wonderfully enjoyable. Highly recommended.

this movie is a real feel good movie, in my opinion. i really like the opposites attract feel to it. tom is the hunky straight acting guy who has the drinking problem, while eli is the uptight quasi fem guy. at first the two do not fit at all together and only go out because their friends set them up. the two have a horrible first date and only meet again after running into each other at a flea market and find out a little more about each other. just on the side each of their friends are hilarious and make for a good laugh on the side. for most of the movie both characters are trying to figure each other out. every encounter yields another discovery about who the person is. sometimes it is for the better and sometimes it is for the worst. both charactrers have trouble accepting the fact that they could be right for eachother. tom is very funny and esy going, but that is eli's problem with tom his lack of commitment and focus. while on the other had eli is too uptight for tom because eli is a perfectionist who has trouble being spontaneous and relaxed. the two end up in a big fight towards the end of the movie because their differences finally come to head and the two end up not speaking only to be reunited at ther friends' wedding. by this point the two begin to see past each others' faults and find the person they are looking for. they also realize that in a weird way they have started to live differently ever since entering into each other's life. and both end up changing for the better. of course there is a happy ending and love conquers all like any romantic comedy should end. by the way there are hilarious cmaeos by lisa kudrwo and christina ricci. both actresses are hilarious and really stand out in the movie. i really enjoy this movie and think that everyone should give it a shot. its good for a weekend rental when there is nothin good at the theater.

Was what it was suppose to be

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Ottimo!!!!

Yes, it is predictable but it is still one of my favourite gay romances. A real feelgood movie. The characters are lovable and the dialogue is just great. It just gets better each time...

for once this is a real love story, just plain common but beautifully played and set. Not too many conventions, u-a very good moment to spend.