I Am Michael

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source: I Am Michael

I have to wonder what they were thinking? Another story of mental illness in post-scientific and religious America. But this isn't some cheesy little indie. James Franco, perhaps the king of the hipster closet cases, colludes with Zachary Quinto, an out gay icon, to further blur the lines between heterosexual and homosexual identities. Let's confuse the kids some more. Gay marriage as the focal point of all gay activism in the past two decades was bad enough. Gays having the right to kill other human beings in uniform was even worse. But this? Fifty years ago, as an adolescent under legal age, I was threatened with kidnapping by my religious Catholic father who was a cop. There was a mad Catholic priest, likely a pedophile, who would kidnap suspected homosexual boys and take them to a place unknown to convert them. I am not making this up. In nursing school, I met a man in my psychiatric rotation who had been lobotomized for repeated escapes from a state hospital here in Liberal Massachusetts where he had been confined as a teen by crazy parents in the 1940's. Why was he locked up? He was homosexual and known to be promiscuous. His parents had died by the time I knew him. He was left to be a permanent ward of the state in that hospital. Probably ended up dying homeless on the streets when the hospitals were all closed to save taxpayers money. So the producers of this joke of a film decided to rationalize the life of a mentally ill homosexual in the misguided name of being broad minded. It would have been fine if the man's mental illness hadn't been rationalized as religious quest. While the film was technically fine, I have to say, "Shame on all of you who should have known better."

A huge disadvantage for the LGBT community. the film has no reason to be made or exist, leaving for free interpretation if you think right or wrong conversion therapies. Strange to think that the director of the film himself is gay.

Yeah, James Franco likes to do those small indi smart films. In this one he is Micheal, once an openly gay man he has a change of heart once he let's God into it. I feel like the film is working somewhat in reverse for me. In an average formula, Micheal would be a man of God who finds love with another man that changes his path. Not that the way this movie's formatted is wrong, but overall the film gives the feeling of non closure (and I think that was the point). James Franco played Micheal with excellence. He was a confused man who was unfortunately torn between a book that tells us what God wants and being himself, which will make him truly happy. Franco made you feel his torment, that you can see from the very start of the movie. Zachary Quinto was a great supporting actor, although I have to admit I feel like James Franco played a better gay man than Quinto. Maybe Franco is not Quinto's type, or maybe I was expected their passion to erupt off the screen like it does when Franco is kissing up on Seth Rogen( Maybe that's asking too much). All jokes aside, I am Micheal was an interesting look on those with spiritually in their hearts trying to balance it with what also feels right in their hearts and no matter weather you agree on disagree with how Micheal handles it, it's the type of thing you want to see and have an open discussion about. http://cinemagardens.com

First, why is James Franco showing up in gay movies time and time again? Is he trying to tell us something? Or is he trying to gain credibility by tackling what he thinks are complex characters? The problem with casting Franco is that he doesn't live the role. He plays a character but he doesn't embrace it. If he really wanted us to believe he was playing a gay character he would embrace it fully. He would act like he enjoys being with men, he can act like a gay man, and not just be a man playing a character. As to the rest of the movie, it was developed from a magazine article and never gave a fully fleshed out idea. If you see the preview, you know everything. There is no real explanation for what caused the switch, or even what happened to the real person after his so called conversion. (Just conduct an internet search and what you'll read may convince you he has a mental instability issue) Overall, not worth the cost of a rental. It sat on the shelf for two years and with good reason. It isn't that controversial or interesting.

Not a Franco fan at all, but I did want to see this first feature effort from Justin Kelly. Kelly is also credited as co-screen writer. I admit, I am impressed with his direction and with the screenplay. All too often gay cinema and movies in general really, suffer from weak stories and crumbling screenplays. Terrible dialog and a habit of relying on sex type scenes to prop them up. This is not the case here at all. The subject is Michael Glatze, magazine editor and gay rights advocate who finds his epiphany in religion. He renounces his "lifestyle" and decides he is simply a straight guy with a "homosexual problem." No spoilers from me (even though I checked the box to be safe). Zach Quinto (Jon Groff's former lover) plays Glatze's boyfriend. Charlie Carver is the twink love interest (what else?). Emma Roberts does a fine turn as Glatze's wife. And then there's James Franco. Couldn't they find anyone else for this role? Seriously, he has played these mentally challenged types so many times I can't hardly stand to watch any more. There must be someone--some other actor--that Van Sant and/or Kelly could have turned to. He really is over used and becoming tiresome to watch. Oh yes, there's some skin. There's a 3-way between Franco, Quinto and Carver that the PR crew is hyping the hell out of. It's not all that steamy. When they start interviewing the actors repeatedly about a single sex scene, you know they are in trouble. About all you will see is some manicured man butt and who hasn't seen this about a thousand times already? Still, they are looking for wider distribution. If you get the chance, I suggest you see it. Even though it means enduring one of Franco's typical, retread jobs as an actor.