Monday, October 11, 2010

Best Friends or Best Lovers in "The Best Men"







My BFF Kyle was watching this video called "Not Gay" which is a compilation of 4 shorts with stories that deal with the straight-and-gay perspective. I sat through the first feature (which ran for about 25 minutes) because it had compelling moments reeking with unspoken tension, and the leads were utterly delectable: Michael Ellisson and Jason Yarusi (both model-actors, both straight guys; in fact Mr. Yarusi was a straight-as-an-arrow fraternity president in college).

Here's director Tony Wei's own capsule: "Moments before his best friend's wedding, Peter gets one last chance to rekindle mutual feelings long suppressed, but not abandoned. Sometimes the perfect reminder of first love's passion is but a simple kiss from the best man."

The scene takes place as Peter (Michael Ellisson) is preparing himself for his bestfriend Joe's wedding. He would be Joe's (Jason Yarusi) best man. But before the ceremonies begin, Joe gives Michael a friendly visit in his room. They fix each other's tie, and lie down the bed beside each other as they reminisce. And we somehow feel the unmistakable tension between the two oh-so-cute guys!

Such is the power of good cinema. Despite a gay scenario, there is universality in the possibilities of missed chances and the heartbreak of longing and regret.

It just takes 25 minutes to make a good film! But it takes close to 2 hours of pretentious gibberish to make "Halik sa Tubig", "Santuaryo" or "Ben and Sam"!


The 2nd short film (from "Not Gay") had horrible actors that aren't even easy on the eyes! So, I left Kyle to enjoy his movie!


Michael Ellisson models and acts. In fact, he has done a lot of Shakespeare in off-broadway plays.



Michael Ellisson








Jason Yarusi is Joe in "The Best Men".



"Not Gay" is a compilation of 4 shorts.



2 comments:

Dempsey Sanders said...

some good looking guys in this, at least the first 25 mins sound good. Thanks for the post Cathy

Cathy Pena said...

Yes it does. I ought to borrow and finish the whole set though.