Butch Camp

source: Butch Camp

Butch Camp

I rented this movie from one of my local video stores and hunkered down to watch. I wanted to love it. I really, really did, but... While I love Judy Tenuta and always will, but her performance was rather weak, and her scenes at the Butch Camp were horribly directed and boring. In fact, it didn't seem like much of a camp at all. Perhaps "camp" in the title was supposed to mean that this film was supposed to be campy (which it wasn't). But overall, the acting was probably the best thing about this meager attempt to be funny (which it rarely was). I guess it probably broke ground as a gay film when it was originally released, but the plot was incredibly flimsy and rambled a bit. I didn't care about most of the characters. There seemed to be many good ideas, but none of the plot lines offered much of a payoff in the end.

Whiny, annoying character somehow manages to get his dreams of seducing a straight friend come true despite having no socially-redeeming qualities whatsoever. Any possibility of identifying with the main character is completely undone by bad writing and a total dependency on cliche to define the characters. Oh, and Judy Tenuta gets some chances to show off her standard stand-up routines in a sub-plot involving her "Butch Camp" gay-male-self-improvement courses. Film actually succeeds in making Male Movement seminars look tame.

An amateur production filmed in Chicago with with lots of stereotypes. From dykes with bikes, to cross dressers to bitchy queens, the fill is a complete guide to gay stereotypes. The film goes on way too long...you will find yourself looking at watch...A LOT. Bad script. Even worst editing. Lousy acting. The film half of the film is barely passable, the second half is terrible. Just turn off the DVD and go do other more important things...like ironing. Paul Denniston is a likable sort but cannot carry a film. So called comedian Judy Tenuta is embarrassing to watch. Her segments seem to have been filmed separately and inserted into the film randomly. The rest of the cast should look for a new line of work...acting is out.

I was fortunate enough to see "Butch Camp" on one of it's few appearances on the big screen. Judy Tenuta is not the star of the movie. It is not gaysploitation. Some of the events may be a little preposterous. I base my rating of 10 for this movie on: I was entertained--and I left the theater feeling great. For gay men, especially, I highly recommend renting this film and watching it with a good friend.

Although "Butch Camp" was a weak film, it did have it's redeeming qualities. It gave light wings to a hard and over looked metal shell. When you open up that shell you find laughter and some good acting. Paul Denniston is pretty funny as the sorry Matt who needs and learns to stand up for himself. His Michael J. Foxish performance is second to none along with his timing. Judy Tenuda is classic Judy. What more can you say. It's her stand up on the big screen. Jason Teresi is the "Serious and Straight" (forgive the pun), in an over the top movie. He provides a much needed "realism" that adds drama, love, tenderness, and heart to the film. He pulls the movie together from all of the crazy directions it's going and brings them into a well rounded ball with no jagged edges. His performance is outstanding, which simply means that he stands out. If you focus the plot more on Matt and Rod, This could have been a whole different story and film.

Butch Camp is as fun as a Popsicle on a summer day. Sure it's messy, but it is a lot of fun to eat. Lighten up your expectations and love it for all its campy glory. It's as good in its own way as Repo Man, Preaching to the Peverted, Heathers or some similar cult classic. Is the acting less than great? Sure! Does it exploit every gay AND straight stereotype in the book? Sure! Is it a trite romantic comedy? Sure! Does it matter? Not at all!!! For some reason, this little flick is just darn satisfying. Every time I see it, I laugh at the stupid jokes and feel satisfied when the happy ending comes around. So what, feed me to the "hetero _ _ores," I just can't help myself!!!

Having been a big fan of the Giver-Goddess (Judy) for over a decade, I rented this flick the other day. True, the acting and the direction of the actors could've been a lot better. The film is loaded, purposefully, with innuendo, cliché and stereotype humor. I knew that when it all started! The characters are likeable and the writing is ripe with gay sarcasm and campiness. What I loved most of all is my being pleasantly surprised that this is actually, in the end, an adorable romantic comedy! Well worth viewing. A thoroughly enjoyable film. Some queens just want everything to be all wrapped up in one perfect movie: Get real.

I don´t know what other ppl were expecting, a gay revolution maybe, but I don´t think movies must have that role, they must just entertain and be simple, as Butch Camp is. A light romantic comedy, and the actors they were not bad. I really liked Judy Tenuta, after seeing the film I became a fan of her style and Jason Teresi had that "thing" you know? Even if he wasn´t so beautiful I think he would still be standing tall in his acting. And of course Paul Denniston was very funny as the fragile and always temerous Matt. Those ppl bashing this movie are used to gay *, so I guess they were frustrated not to see any - and terrified to find out gay people can actually love and desire a steady relationship, with love and everything. That´s it!