Search - Humpday on DVD

Actually A Sad Tale of letting Boundaries dictate Love

Michael Kwiat | Pennsylvania | 11/22/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"****PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD****

Though we never really know why the two male leads care about each other, it becomes obvious when they reunite at the beginning of the movie that the husband has far more interest in his friend than his wife. It could be because the husband feels trapped in his mapped-out life, or that he has stronger emotional/sexual feelings for his friend (but let society walk him down his expected path), or maybe because his wife seems such a tight-ass.

When the movie gets the opportunity to explore this, it DOES go to a promised extreme conclusion that the two men will have sex. The movie leaves it tantalizingly ambiguous WHY this is going to happen (the wife thinks her husband just has to get the gay thing out of him!), but truly falters at this point.

The husband appears to want to go further; his friend cannot seem to. Their idea of using this project to further "express their love" loses it way, and they slip back behind societal boundaries of what is proper, correct, and masculine.

To me, there is nothing learned here than that straight men still don't have it together enough to be in love. In fact, the movie ends on the saddest note...that the friends will likely never be able to face each other again after...daring...to cross an emotional line.

So...not much of a comedy to me. A somewhat well-made study in homosexual panic taken to the edge...with the characters falling from the cliff."

Testing Masculinity

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 09/03/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Humpday"

Testing Masculinity

Amos Lassen

"Humpday" is one of those little movies that cause a big stir mainly because it was not expected to be as good as it is. Andrew appears suddenly on Ben's doorstep one night and the two old college friends pick up their friendship like it was when they were in school. Andrew invites Ben to a party as a commune which advocates sex positive and while there they hear of many plans to make erotic art films for the local amateur porn festival. Andrew decides he wants to be a part of it so he decides that he should have sex with Ben (on camera) but this is not gay sex--it is an artistic project. There are only three things standing in their way--the fact that they are heterosexuals, Ben's wife, Anna< and the mechanics of male/male sex. They convince themselves that this is to be an artistic film--two straight guys being themselves but having sex with each other.
Ben (Mark Duplass) and Andrew (Joshua Leonard) are two likeable characters and the tension between them is built up beautifully--in fact the whole premise is convincing. However there is a very slow slide downhill and that is so sad because otherwise the film is wonderful. Lynn Shelton directed admirably and I love the premise of two straight guys making a gay porn film. There is no real nudity but there are some rather crude jokes and because the guys are straight, the film is that much more outrageous. The film sounds like it might be a dirty adult comedy but it isn't--it is humorous as it is based on an unlikely situation as it puts straight masculinity to the test. The dialogue is excellent and the portrayals of the characters are quite good. The big scene of the film will have you laughing for a long time.
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Men with a plan

Yves DEMUNTER | Belgium | 12/13/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Me too, surprised to see the negative reviews. I have to say, it's the most fun I ever had in a cinema.
The storyline is absurb but the actors make it all very believable. The three main actors all play very likeable characters and from the first scene on there is great chemistry between them.

The dvd is worth getting for the extra's: deleted scenes, a short "making of" documentary and most of all the audiocomment by the two main actors: Mark Duplass & Joshua Leonard. Great fun to hear all the funny stories and anecdotes.

All of the dialogue in this movie is improvised and Joshua Leonard is a MASTER at this craft. He lifts the movie to a higher level. Incredibly funny guy.

So, a must see for a fun night out at the cinema or at home ... with friends.

"

The professionsls don't go far enough to make it honest

Dale Reynolds | Hollywood, CA | 05/25/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Director Lynn Shelton and her actors, Mark Duplasss and Joshua Leonard, have decided to take the Bromance trope as far as they felt they dared. What would happen if two straight actors decide, on the flimiest of reasons, to make a gay porn video with themselves as the "actors." Using a format that gives a scene it's content, but allowing the actors to improvise the dialogue, the end result is funny and accurate as far as they take it. But to make the decision that they will kiss but fail at the nudity, let alone the actual attempted sex, robs the film its ultimate validity. Too timid for some, although far too radical for most, it was a disapointment to me. These are not guys you might willingly vote to see nude, but nevertheless the idea that they are pushing their own envelopes, and by extension, ours, lost out. It's a shame because everyone in it is excellent and the idea is timely. I'm sorry they lost the necessary courage to make a meaningful film.
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