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Quirky but OK

Harry F. Drabik | Northern Minnesota | 05/23/2010

(3 out of 5 stars)

"There's not a lot to this DVD, and it IS very predictable. However, it is interesting enough as an exploration of gender expectations and associated issues without going to an extreme of repression or the far end of license."

Cute and positive theme, but could have been better.

Bob Lind | Phoenix, AZ United States | 12/03/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Josh is an intelligent 10 year old boy, living with his single mother, Andrea (Carrie Preston), a local television remote producer. Andrea worries about Josh's growing up without a father, and her deadbeat brother's occasional presence in the home may be doing more harm than good. Then there's the gay next-door neighbor, Charlie (played by Michael Emerson from "Lost"), whom Josh seems to have a good rappor with. Josh wants to quit the wrestling team, find a way to get on the cheerleading squad (which is "girls only" at the Catholic school he attends), and - with Charlie's help - dresses up as one of the Von Trapp girls for a school Halloween party. Uh, oh.

The film deserves kudos for its fine acting (including newcomer Lurie Poston as Josh, although he was a bit big to be playing a 10 year old), as well as providing a positive message about diversity and changing the rules where necessary. The direction is good, although I noticed some audio problems making some characters' lines difficult to understand. I thought the film concentrated too much on the mother's and uncle's problems, while it would have been better devoting more time to Josh's experiences, making the plot a bit less predictable and ordinary. DVD includes commentary and blooper reel. Not to be confused with a similar (and identically titled) gay short also released theatrically in 2008, which has been shown on Logo. Overally, I give the film three stars out of five."