Search - The New Twenty on DVD

About to turn 30, and still waiting to grow up ...

Bob Lind | Phoenix, AZ United States | 07/26/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Looking in on a group of close friends since college, seven years after graduation, things aren't quite what they expected, even considering thirty is "The New Twenty" (2009).

There's the "jock" of the group, Andrew (hunky former model Ryan Locke), who is looking for financing for an internet startup he believes will make him rich. He's engaged to Asian-American Julie (Nicole Bilderback, who deserves the critical kudos she got for this role), who finds herself in the uncomfortable position of having to downplay the fact that she makes more money than her fiance'. Julie's brother, advertising whiz-kid Tony (Andrew Wei Lin) is gay and dating an older man who is HIV+. In college, Felix (Thomas Sadoski) seemed most likely to succeed, but his inability to give up his drug use have turned him into an insecure addict. Then there's the resident slacker, Ben (Colin Fickes), the other gay character, who wastes his days searching for online hookups and watching old TV shows.

The dynamics of the relationships between the five friends changes significantly, when Louie (Tony Serpico, a regular on "Army Wives"), a man in his 40's whom Andrew meets playing cricket, enters into a business arrangement with Andrew, as well as a flirtation with Julie, with the other friends tagging along as they socialize. This comes to a head at Andrew's bachelor bash, resulting in new resolutions by all, in order to get on with their lives.

A well-written, acted and directed film, and I love the way the gay and straight characters mesh comfortably. However, I thought it to be a bit predictable in parts, and somewhat negative in that it concentrated on everyone's failures. DVD includes commentary (labeled as "documentary"), deleted scenes and a music video. Overall, it's worth a look, and I give it four stars out of five."

Friends in the City

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 03/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The New Twenty"

Friends in the City

Amos Lassen

Coming from Wolfe Video, "The New Twenty" is about the lives and the loves of a group of 29 year old friends in New York City. They begin to betray themselves and each other because of sex, money and drugs. Andrew (Ryan Locke) is at the center of the group of friends. He is the typical alpha male--tall, lean, blonde and handsome, an investment banker with a beautiful Asian fiancée. Member of his circle are Ben (Colin Fickes) who is overweight and gay and addicted to internet sex sites, Felix (Thomas Sadoski), a druggie, and commitment-phobic Tony (Andrew Wei Lin).
This is a light film that has plenty of twists and turns and it is the acting ensemble that keeps the film interesting. We see the actors in their private moments and this makes this film become a personal story. Chris Mason Johnson directed this with a loving touch. Sure, the idea is not new but the execution is. Thinking that 30 is the age for midlife crises, each actor relates to it in his own way. The relationships are complex and the group represents the palette of sexual orientation, professional aspiration and personal desires. Bonds of friendship slip away as each ventures on this personal journey. They have been friends and together since college and now as the age of 30 approaches, they find their lives to be in a state of upheaval. Andrew begins a risky financial venture and is about to become married to Julie who stays at her job because she gets promoted often. Tony< Julie's brother becomes involved with a professor who is HIV positive. Felix is a lost soul on the highway of life and is a borderline drug addict and quite possibly was once in love with Julie. Ben is a bear cub who has a myriad of neuroses. All of the characters are self-absorbed. It is the witty script and the lively cast that keeps us watching and enjoying. When one states that "30 is the new 20", we see where these guys are going and we are perfectly content to go with them.
"

Excellent Indie!

Cinephile | San Francisco, CA | 04/13/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very good movie! Much more sophisticated and nuanced than you might think from the cover art. It's not a "gay movie" at all, in fact, in the niche sense; it simply has a couple gay characters in it. It's a group friends movie (St. Elmo's Fire, The Big Chill, Diner, etc.) - which is a subgenre I enjoy - and what's nice about THE NEW TWENTY in terms of that is the ending. Won't give it away - just will say that it's not the usual cringe-worthy happily-ever-after thing - "we'll all be friends forever" - but something much smarter and more complex. And there's actually a sense of SOCIAL REALITY in the movie that's believable and true. Also really enjoyed depiction of gay and straight male friends that was simply presented as: NOT A BIG DEAL. Like it is in life. ALL the acting is really excellent. I don't know these actors except the guy from the Hal Hartley movies (Bill Sage) - but they all do a great job. Lots of subtle, quiet moments where you really get a feel for the characters and their inner lives. And all-in-all there's a nice pace to it also. It has a dynamic, entertaining feel. A very good American indie that's much smarter and more stylish than the usual!"