Long-Term Relationship (2006)

Disturbing yet enthralling

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

The first must-see film of the year.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

Long Term Relationship (LTR) is so poorly written and flatly presented it makes the typically weak programming on the TV channel Logo look like Masterpiece Theatre.LTR is supposed to be a comedy drama. The comedy consists of terrible one liners or sight gag montages. There's some frank joking about sexual incompatibility and discussion of supposedly insurmountable political differences but everything LTR attempts to address or make a joke about has been done before and much better. The story is standard romantic comedy fluff with spikes of drama thrown in. The writing sounds like a college freshman's first script. Most of the characters are terrible clichés, the side characters in particular. There's a supposedly wise and sexy Asian female best friend of the main character, her husband who hangs out with gay guys but is utterly clueless about anything gay (Har!), a couple of mildly flaming constantly quipping gay guys, the professor, and Mary Ann. The last two aren't really in LTR but the side characters are as one dimensional as old TV sitcom characters. Except the acting in LTR isn't as good as the acting in a TV sitcom.The two leads acting is competent (when they fall flat it's mainly due to the terrible writing) and their characters have some interesting aspects...Interesting enough that it makes you wonder what a better writer and director would have done with them.The most notable thing about LTR (other than some pleasant but completely out of place piano music) is that the gay characters all have hair that looks as if they just rolled out of bed or possible cut it themselves. If believable hair was the goal it's LTR's one success. But the reason the hair is even noticed at all is that everything else about the film is so dull and obvious it makes the hair really stand out.

The film settles around the topic of relationships, in all aspects, friend, strangers, family, love, (workplace for Eli - where there is no love lost - LOL) It also gives us views in the varying ways relationships work out. Past are the days of your soon to be lover telling of HIV or cheating, comes a new threat on the political front. LMAO was very funny. There are betrayals, forgiveness, laughs, sorrows - all the things that can make up todays complex relationships. And Rob handle them extremely well in a nice tight picture. (Be sure to pay attention to Matt in Eli's office - a very fun moment.) Matthew Montgomery presents a character that many can connect with even if they don't admit it. Moreover, the beauty in his performance is the transfer to that deeper caring man. Playful - compassion - hurt - loved, he tackles these aspects masterly sometimes with just a look, a stroke on the cheek or a smile. He has mastered that talents of acting with the ability to not say allot, but make you feel it all!! Artie O'Daly and Jeremy Lucas give fine support rolls as the side kicks friends and Bret Wolfe gives us a good look at the single side of romancing. After watching be sure to watch the commentary track. It was hilarious. Yes, I am one of the 5 to watch it. Have some drinks ready and settle in as you become privy to their thoughts. Halfway through you feel like your sitting with your own friends. This is a MUST SEE!!

Note: the only "spoiler comment" here is one I've already seen in earlier reviews.There truly is potential here for a great story -- kind of a gay romance version of the Odd Couple. All we need is a clever, creative writer to make it work. The really fun, interesting part of this film, to my mind, should have been showing how these two guys went from point A: meeting and clicking at first sight, but then recognizing that there were certain huge obstacles that stood in the way of any kind of long-term relationship, to Point Z: finding resolution, which, in this case, was marriage. However, you are pretty much left to imagine how they got from A to Z; the script doesn't tell you.In addition, the dialog was rather unimaginative; after nearly every sentence, some little voice in my head said, "Yup--just what I expected." The acting was surprisingly decent, if often lacking in emotional; I kept thinking that had the script been more interesting, the acting would have blossomed nicely, but there wasn't much to get excited about.In spite of all that, because the basic idea is good, I did enjoy watching the movie, which is why I gave it a "7" instead of, say, a "5".

I loved it. At first I was concerned about the "stereotypical" depiction of casual gay-sex, but I think it was necessary, and that most if not all of the remaining nudity was within the context of the relationship. So it wasn't gratuitous or distracting. Which was fortunate, because the story itself and the subplots were rich and integral to the story. But it still had that constant tinge of spontaneity throughout. Enjoyable, nice flow.So if you like it, make sure to watch it again with the commentary on.The commentary was AS entertaining, if not more entertaining than the movie itself. In a completely different way of course, but don't miss that. It was an hour and a half of ROFLMAO. Plus you get to see all the adorable shots of the movie again.