SHORTBUS
RYAN: They’re saying it’s the most talked about gay film since “Brokeback Mountain.” It’s “Shortbus,” directed by John Cameron Mitchell who directed “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”
CAROLINE: He was, in fact, Hedwig.
RYAN: Absolutely.
CAROLINE: Now, true confession – I didn’t see “Shortbus,” but I thought the gist of it was that they were having real sex in the movie. Why is it a gay movie?
RYAN: Well, that’s the thing – unlike most films, the sex was not simulated in the love scenes. The actors are actually having sex. I was told ahead of time that you don’t really see anything so it’s not pornographic. But I’m here to tell you that what I heard was wrong – it is completely pornographic.
CAROLINE: But how does that make it gay?
RYAN: Because some of the characters are gay and it portrays a gay relationship in a very real way.
CAROLINE: Fair enough, but this is no “Brokeback Mountain.”
RYAN: Ok, it’s not “Brokeback Mountain.” The film belongs to the female lead, Sook-Yin Lee, because she is outstanding. She’s really break-though.
CAROLINE: I get it, but I have to say that I’m not inclined to see this movie because I’m sort of annoyed by the whole gimmick of it – the whole “these actors are actually having sex” thing. It makes me wonder what else there is to the movie.
RYAN: Well, we’ve all seen porn…
CAROLINE: I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.
RYAN: Ha. We’ve all seen porn in our own homes or at someone else’s, but I’ve never had the experience of sitting in a movie theater among strangers and watching porn, which this movie is. The sex is very much in the first fifteen minutes and then sprinkled here and there throughout. It does have a real story though, which is actually very good.
CAROLINE: I’m gonna take your word for it.
RYAN: I recommend this. And the most amazing thing in the movie is the transitions of New York City. They do this graphic zoom-in thing at different parts of the city and it’s absolutely stunning.
CAROLINE: That’s cool. But I still don’t wanna see it. Bottom line?
RYAN: This is an excellent independent film. Great story; and what the hell, sex sells. And if that doesn’t make you want to see this, then I don’t know what will.
CAROLINE: Maybe I’m frigid.