Search - The Velocity of Gary on DVD

One of the most touching films in years!

D. Litton | Wilmington, NC | 09/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thomas Jane, Salma Hayek and Vincent D'Onofrio shine like night stars in the film, "The Velocity of Gary," directed by Dan Ireland with a wit and passion all its own. Opening with the character of "Gary" (that is not his real name, nor is it ever revealed), walking through the streets of New York City, clearly in the mood to pick up a guy or two. On the way, he saves a deaf drag queen from getting killed, but regrets it when he follows him everywhere. In comes Salma Hayek as Maricarmen, the lusty yet snappy Latina who is in love with Valentino, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. We soon learn two things: Gary is also in love with Valentino, and Valentino is dying of AIDS from his work as a porn star. Throughout the course of the movie, Maricarmen and Gary argue over what kind of care he should be receiving, and who is going to supply that care. The real waves of emotion come when the time for Valentino's impending death becomes very short, and the three of them begin to take stock of themselves as well as their relationship with one another. THis movie works the heart in more ways than one, most notably being the dialogue. The line, "Gary dreams about kissing someone so hard his mouth hurts. He dreams about kissing someone so soft his heart hurts, so long his neck hurts, so deep his throat hurts. Gary dreams about kissing someone so... completely that nothing hurts," is nothing but pure genius on the part of the writers. The sexual inuendo in the film, such as the kiss between Valentino and Gary in the phone room, takes it as far as it can without going into the extreme, and the passion between characters is vivdly evident. The search for one's purpose in life and where life goes is no more underlined than in this movie, which will move its open-minded viewers to tears of sadness as well as joy."

The one that got away

Melissa | Boston | 07/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's a travesty that this film is not available on DVD. Travesty. This is the kind of movie that is not what it seems. From the cover jacket, you expect it to be about the harshness of city living, full of darkness and anger and seedy characters, but it's not. It's about three people and a world that most of us (thankfully) haven't experienced in our lives. The three lead characters are: Valentino, a bisexual ex-porn star dying of HIV; Gary* (not his real name), a gay hustler who falls hard for Valentino; and Mary Carmen, Valentino's spitfire girlfriend who is jealous of her lover's relationship with Gary but who has no choice but to share him. The world they inhabit is the underbelly of NYC, but director Dan Ireland never looks down on the characters, nor does he put them on a pedestal. It's a fine balance, but one that is achieved. The result is that it is impossible to watch this film and not feel the affection that Ireland has for the characters and their world, and that transfers to the viewer. It's reminiscent of Boogie Nights, another film set in the world of porn,drugs and hustlers, and a film that also makes you care for its characters and the alternative family they create.The three leads did amazing work. Vincent D'Onofrio is mesmerizing as the center of the love triangle, a character so full of life even as he's dying that he can't be contained. This was a brave role for the respected character actor, and it deserves to be seen. Salma Hayek turns in another great performance, and one scene in particular, breaks your heart. Valentino is dancing in a club with Gary and Mary Carmen, and when he turns his back on Mary Carmen for a second to bump and grind with Gary, the slow-motion shot of the pain, longing and jealousy in Hayek's eyes will rip your heart out. And Thomas Jane has never been better. For anyone who's only seen his work in Deep Blue Sea and that raunchy Cameron Diaz "comedy", brace yourself for an actor whose potential hasn't been tapped in his subsequent projects.This film has more than enough heart to spare, and that is what is truly so great about it. It defies expectations and cliches, yet it leaves you feeling renewed and hopeful. I only saw this film this past week, and I can't believe it escaped me before. Don't make the same mistake I did. See Velocity of Gary. It will haunt you, but in a good way.D'Onofrio also produced the picture with Ireland, along with a previous collaboration called The Whole Wide World, and these two should continue their work together. They've created two wonderfully different films about passion and love and the human condition. And that's something that's sorely lacking in today's cinema."

A mesmerizing and brilliant film!

FloozyFlapper1926 | Somewhere in the 20's | 05/25/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had been reading mixed reviews on this film so I was pleasantly surprised after I watched it. This is now one of my favorite movies of all time! The characters and story drew me in so deeply that I re-watched it a couple of days later. The story of the charismatic, dying Valentino and his two lovers really moved me. These were people who loved each other in their own way. Even though Gary and Mary Carmen fought all the time, their love for Valentino was enough to keep them together. I found the story to be touching, the dialogue interesting and the actors perfect in their roles.This is a film that is more understandable if you have known a lot of people who live alternative lifestyles. I've been friends with people in relationships like this and its a very complicated situation. I also enjoyed the strange characters like Kid Joey, the drag queen obsessed with Patsy Cline and Gary. He was so desperate and sad and I wish his character would have been in the movie longer. All these people were different and bizarre yet they all seemed to care about each other. Not to mention there is a really hot kiss between two gorgeous men! The ending was moving to me in that it gave you a sense of optimism for their future. It doesn't necessarily have a happy ending but its a real ending with heart.Obviously this is a movie that is not for everyone but for those with an open mind, you can become absorbed in this story. This is a rare and beautiful film that will make you stop and think long after its over. I would give it more than five stars if I could!"

You can judge this book by its cover

M. FUSCO | NEW YORK, NY | 03/06/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I first spotted this video on a used VHS sale rack, I had little to go on as there are no liner notes on the box. The cover photo, however, features very sexy Thomas Jane walking shirtless through Times Square -- an image reminiscent of John Rechy's "City of Night". Mainly on the basis of Mr. Jane's perfect body, I decided to give it a try, and the film is as attractive and sexy as its star.

The story opens with Dorothy, a young lip-synching singer in full country drag (as Patsy Cline) arriving at Port Authority Bus Terminal from someplace -- Kansas I suppose -- wide-eyed and innocent. She is promptly beaten up by street toughs. Gary saves her and, still shirtless, carries her off in his strong arms. Dreams are made of such stuff. But, Dorothy's fantasies notwithstanding, New York City not Oz and her dreams are quickly doused with cold water.

In fact, the film continually shifts moods with a fascinating, quirky rhythm. In flashbacks, Gary remembers his own arrival and how he was promptly met, seduced, and carried off by Valentino (D'Onofrio), a porn star. Thomas Jane has a quiet, strong, and sensual presence. He has a remarkable ability to shift between the jaded street hustler he has become, and the young ingenue, with flowing hair haloing his handsome face, he was when he arrived. His seduction by Valentino is another moment for dreams and is, quite simply, on of the sweetest and sexiest on screen. Valentino is also loved by Mary Carmen (Hayek) who hates the competition.

Dorothy is in love with her hero Gary, and it would have been even more interesting to see their relationship developed. But she dies early on, again in Gary's beautiful arms, where she wants to be. Gary and Mary Carmen must deal with the impending death of Valentino, their touchstone, from AIDS. She is obnoxious and loud. He relinquishes words for tears and, in the penultimate scene, the two rush into Valentino's hospital room to find, after a long vigil, that they have missed his death by moments. Gary comments that Valentino looks like Sleeping Beauty, but this time their lover cannot be awakened by a kiss. The adversaries are brought together through Valentino's death, as well as the baby he leaves behind for them in Mary Carmen.

Despite Selma Hayek's relentless loud crudeness nearly sinking the story, this is a surprising and touching little film with many treasures to be found in the story, the cinematography, and the characters."