Title: Were the World Mine
Director: Tom Gustafson
Writers: Tom Gustafson and Cory James Krueckeberg
Distributer: SPEAKproductions
Genre: YA Romantic Musical
Rating: NR (though easily could be PG-13)
Released: 2008
Length: 96 minutes
Rating: 5+ stars out of 5
A Guest Review by Aunt Lynn
One Sentence Review: Despite its flaws, I love, love, love this movie.
THE BLURB
If you had a love-potion, who would you make fall madly in love with you? Timothy, prone to escaping his dismal high school reality through dazzling musical daydreams, gets to answer that question in a very real way. After his eccentric teacher casts him as Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, he stumbles upon a recipe hidden within the script to create the play’s magical, purple love-pansy. Armed with the pansy, Timothy’s fading spirit soars as he puckishly imposes a new reality by turning much of his narrow-minded town gay, beginning with the rugby-jock of his dreams. Ensnaring family, friends and enemies in this heart-wrenching chaos, Timothy forces them to walk a mile in his musical shoes. The course of true love never did run smooth, but by the end of this moving musical comedy of errors based on director Tom Gustafson’s prolific award-winning short film, Fairies, the bumpy ride comes to a heartfelt conclusion.
THE REVIEW
Were the World Mine is the independently-produced, multiple award-winning, audience-loved, glitter-filled, feature-length musical version of Tom Gustafson’s 2003 short, Fairies. Shot on a small budget over 24 days with a cast and crew for whom many this was their first feature film, it (very) loosely parallels Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream — the queer version, if there was one — while the play itself is produced within as part of the plot.
I have recently taken to scouring the Netflix instant-watch films in the Gay/Lesbian genre and had gone through several dozen that, outside of maybe two that I can think of, were okay at best. How disappointing. When I came upon WTWM, I wasn’t expecting much. Boy, was I in for a surprise! Though not without flaws, it has quickly become one of my favorite films. I’ve watched it probably twenty times in the week since I discovered it. I walk around singing the infectious songs which I simply can’t get out of my head. I dance in my chair as I watch it. I dream about it. If I still had my girly parts and he swung my way, I’d want to have Tanner Cohen’s children. I have pimped it out to everyone who will listen. I bought the DVD and the soundtrack. I sat down and read AMSND to remind myself of the play and to catch the words that are sprinkled liberally throughout the dialog and make up most of the songs. How could I have missed this when it debuted in San Francisco in the fall of 2008? Update: Hell, how could I have missed it when it debuted in Berkeley just before that???
Timothy, an out senior at an all-boys private high school, is teased and tormented on a daily basis by his homophobic classmates and even some staff while secretly enamored with super jock Jonathon. Using fantasy and daydreams as an escape, he imagines a world very different than his own reality. Reluctantly auditioning for and cast as Puck in the senior class production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Timothy finds a hidden recipe for the love potion within the dialog of the play. Mixing a batch and distributing it via a purple pansy (how appropriate!), he proceeds to systematically turn many of his peers and much of the small-minded townsfolk gay — starting with his unrequited crush — in the hopes that they will see life though his eyes. The resulting chaos has both good and bad effects, and once free will has been returned, some surprising lasting changes are in store.
I think I’ll start with my problems with the film:
First, I wanted…more. More music and at least one longer number. More of the play itself, both in rehearsal and the final production. More interaction between Timothy and Jonathon. Though the sweet romance between these two is there, much of it is during the 24 hours or so the spell is in effect, and I would have loved for Jonathon’s last sentence(s) in the story — after order had been restored — to have been completed instead of Ms. Tebbit cutting in. I was like, “Oh, wait you daft bat! He was gonna say something!” I wanted him to explain himself. It would have gone a long way to eliminate this particular criticism.
I felt there were some awkward and weak acting moments, including most of the kissing scenes between the boys (an unfortunate common occurrence in gay cinema).
Though I didn’t feel this way — it is a fantasy film after all, which I recognize — there have been and will be people who will be critical of and perhaps offended by the fact that after the turn, the boys begin acting like, well, fairies. At times, the rugby players break out as stereotypical and clichéd ballerinas in their uniforms, and the tough, homophobic rugby coach chases after and professes his love for the principal. Unrealistic, but remember this is fantasy.
Now, what I loved (and what ultimately allows me to absolutely forgive the above):
There is a sweetness and innocence about this film that left me on a high note after watching it. Who wouldn’t want to have a way to have others walk in your shoes for even a little bit with at times comedic effect and marvelous music while having the object of your desire want you as well? It’s a must-watch for anyone who was/is a teenage outcast or considered different, regardless of their “problem” — too fat, too skinny, too short, too tall, gay, nerd, glasses-wearing, disabled, disfigured — it doesn’t matter.
It’s hard not to fall in love with this cast. Tanner Cohen is a genius choice for lead Timothy, and as Nate Becker’s Jonathon says “nice pipes.” Tall, dark and handsome, and boy, can he sing! What a beautiful tenor he is (with surprising falsetto clarity), and according to a short interview vid (here), he claims to have only had a year of voice lessons. Bold, sincere and confident, he is outstanding in the role, and he charmed me and won my heart. His Timothy is vulnerable, yet strong, and as he belts out: “I will sing that they shall hear that I am not afraid!” I am eager to see if he will continue acting. (Note that he is the voice half of the two-person band, The Guts).
Star rugby player Jonathon is wonderfully played by the very easy-on-the-eyes Nathaniel David Becker, who has a great voice of his own. I love the little tells that Jonathon may not be as disinterested in Timothy as he likes people to believe, even before being anointed: the slap on the ass, the little looks and smiles, how he drags his teammates off Timothy during a scuffle, the compliment of Timothy’s audition for the play. And as I said above, I would love to hear what Jonathon was going to say before getting cut off at the end.
Wendy Robie (of Twin Peaks fame) is absolutely perfect as she reprises the role Ms. Tebbit, the somewhat creepy and eccentric teacher/play sponsor and Timothy’s magical guide. Rounding out the cast is Judy McLane, who was great as Timothy’s trying-to-understand-and-make-ends-meet mother (though I admit that I thought too much of the film’s time was spent on her job sub-plot); Zelda Williams (daughter of Robin Williams) as Frankie, Timothy’s female best friend and part of the musical ensemble; Ricky Goldman as Timothy’s other best friend and love potion error; Christian Stolte as Coach Driskill; and David Darlow as Dr. Bellinger, the school principal.
The plot is fantasy and reality woven together via Shakespeare’s text and the musical numbers. Though the fantasy elements are shown mostly via Timothy’s eyes, I am convinced that the audition fantasy is Jonathon’s and where he begins to see Timothy in a different light. The title song fantasy sequence is just fabulous and All Things Shall Be Peace beautiful (and for a funny tale of the filming of this scene, read this article).
The lyrics for the majority of the songs are cleverly taken directly and adapted from AMSND — sometimes following in line, sometimes not — but somehow they make perfect sense in the context they’re used and expertly move the plot along. BTW, for those interested, there is a series of great videos on YouTube where the poster took the CD and a copy of AMSND and shows us exactly where the words are in the text (start here). Additionally, there are parts of the general dialog that are lines from AMSND, especially when the love juice is doing its magic.
Finally, great costumes, especially during the staged play itself, give the film a lot of character and color: silver lame shorts, wings and wigs of varying colors, lots of glittery makeup.
Trailer:
OVERALL
Regardless of the niggles I had, this is a great film that I highly recommend, one that has stayed with me and draws me back time and again.
Note: WTWM is also currently available on Logo television channel.
This looks so awesome and is something so over the top that I know I will love. Thank you so much for your review, Lynn. I would have never come across this otherwise. Now just to find some place in Oz that has it…
G’Day Kris. There is definitely a wonderful over the top element to it during the fantasy scenes.
I am not sure how one could see it internationally without buying it (though I understand it was a hit in Germany, apparently, so they might have it through other means). There seems to be no info on rentals outside of the US, which is very sad. If you find it, let us know in the comments so others in Australia can see it as well.
I used my powers of Google Fu and there are a couple of places that have it for sale including some indie bookstores and JB Hi-Fi.
Great Kris! Let us know how you like it.
This looks awesome! Funny though, it’s the same school where they filmed Toy Soldiers!
Nice review, thanks for writing it!
Hi Larissa. It is totally awesome!
I haven’t seen Toy Soldiers, but if you say so, it must be one of those locations that is open and accessible for filming.
Lynn
This sounds absolutely fantabulous. I have to get a copy from amazon since we don’t have Logo television in Canada and I’m sure that my local video store wouldn’t have it.
Great review of what appears to be a wonderful film!
Good morning Wave, and thanks. Fantabulous and wonderful it is.
WTWM was screened at the Toronto InsideOut Lesbian and Gay Film and Video Festival in May 2008, so maybe somewhere in your area it can be rented? I can’t imagine Toronto not having it somewhere; it’s just about as gay as SF!
And let me kick myself now — as I am looking up release and festival dates, I see it was here in Berkeley before it went into the City (SF)! Shame on me!
Lynn
You’re right about Toronto being as gay as SF. 🙂
I’ll have to check the Festival site to see if they list locations where films that were screened could either be rented or purchased. Thanks for the tip.
That sounds great. We can’t get Logo Wave? Crap. Blockbuster has NO GLBT films, not even QAF. And I don’t do Netflix. Grrr. Have to figure out a way to see this.
Tam
Maybe Rogers has Logo under another name. I’ll check their listings. You might also want to check your local Rogers video store – maybe they carry it.
Tam, it is great and I am sorry that there seems to be few choices outside of the US for renting it. Are there any GLBTQ video rental places at all in your area? I am spoiled because even the SF Library has 16 copies available for checkout, and the Oakland Library has two (amazingly Berkeley has none; as a volunteer there I think I will request that they get it).
Hmmm. I wonder if our Pink Triangle services has movies. They have a library. I suppose I could phone the GLBT bookstore, they might know. I’ll have to have a look around.
Try the link TJ gave us for Logo online instant watch: http://www.logotv.com/video/were-the-world-mine/1620744/playlist.jhtml. It worked for me, but it may be because I have DirecTV (which has Logo).
Tam
While Rogers doesn’t carry Logo they carry some of their programs on OUT TV which is part of the Lifestyle package. If you have it you can check it out. If you don’t and you want to include OUT on its own it’s available for about $2.79/month in the Ottawa area. Good Luck. If the film is not offered on OUT you could call your Rogers video store to see whether they carry it or can order it for you. The things I do for you. 🙂
Tam, I called my local Blockbuster to see if they had it (no, they don’t) and they can get it sent to the house as a rental even though they don’t carry it in the store. I was told I could either stop into the store or call them to make arrangements. Maybe your’s will as well?
I saw this movie for the first time awhile ago and completely fell in love with it.
This review is spot on….I like and dislike the same things about it…and also forgive the issues I have (which are the same!) because of the brilliance of it.
If that makes any sense!
Good morning Laurie. I’m glad to have someone commenting who has seen it and agrees with the review. Whew! Reviews overall of the film are mixed (though heavily favored to liking it), and I anticipate that there may be some comments that are less than complementary. We’ll see…
Oh. My. God. I must have it! Away, to Amazon!
P.S. Thanks for the great review Aunt Lynn.
Alexi, go now — run, don’t walk — and snatch up a copy. I hope you love it as much as I did, flaws and all.
This is such a great review, Lynn – you make me see so clearly the magic of this movie and why you love it so much. Thank you! Must see it! 🙂
“though I understand it was a hit in Germany, apparently, so they might have it through other means”
Argh! Why in freaking he$$ have I never heard of this movie before? I’m living under a rock, it seems. 🙁
Thanks Lilli. I am very passionate about this film and I guess it shows. 🙂
Me, too! I mean, it played here in the theaters in fall 2008 and I was clueless!
And, yes a must-see.
Sounds fab. No hesitation about adding that to my wishlist (it’s about as close as I get to actually buying stuff at the moment, lol).
Thank you so much for pointing it out!
Hi there Tiggothy and thanks for stopping by. Yes, onto the wishlist it should go, for sure. And if you have the opportunity to see it a different way before then, go for it.
Oh my! Thanks so much! And not just for recommending a movie I’m sure to love, but for telling me about LOGO!
Guess what I’m doing tonight?
Hi Eden. You’re welcome. Have fun watching Logo. 🙂
Hi Lynn,
Great review. I wondered what you would think about the movie when I saw you were reviewing it this week. I agree with you completely. It’s not perfect, but has so many great things going for it that I easily overlooked the flaws. I watched it many times the first few weeks after I bought it, and played the soundtrack in my car back and forth to work for months!
Logo has it available online if you have access. Here’s the link:
http://www.logotv.com/video/were-the-world-mine/1620744/playlist.jhtml
They have several other movies online under “watch video – full length movies”. “Big Eden” is another good one. Not a musical, but good. That one reminded me of the Andrew Barriger’s “Finding Faith” book series (which I loved), with a town that just accepts the LGBT residents. How cool would that be? “Coffee Date” is funny and has Wilson Cruz, who is so easy on the eyes.
Since you did so good with this one, I think you should be our resident movie critic!
Hi Tj. Thanks for the compliment and the link! It started right up for me. I didn’t think about looking online.
I LOVE Big Eden. In fact, that’s what started this whole thing. It’s such a sweet and gentle flick, I love the soundtrack! I wanted to re-watch it and I saw that it was an instant-watch on Netflix, and wanted to see what else was instant-watch.
I will definitely check out the others you mention, and who knows, maybe I’ll do a film every other week or so. Thanks for the vote of confidence. 🙂
OMG!!! That was fantastic!!! Even with all the Droid commercials! I’m getting this on DVD. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Yippee!! Glad you liked it Eden.
OMG we bought this a while back and had the same experience. “Hmm, hope this is good…WOAH IT’S AWESOME!…can’t get music out of head…bought soundtrack…rewatched movie…listened to soundtrack all the time…” etc.
I usually don’t like what I call “random weirdness” all that much, but the interweaving of reality and fantasy, meta-play and play-in-a-movie, etc. was groovy. 🙂
Good morning Kendall. I’m so glad you liked the film as well as I did. Seems as if there are quite a few fans out there!
Films like this, that I find kinda accidentally/randomly, make me wonder what other random/weird/hidden gems I’m missing. 😉
I absolutely agree. I am now going back though various sources looking for other great finds.
This finally arrived in my mail box yesterday. Watched it last night and was totally blown away.
It was the scene where Timothy did his audition that did it for me. I feel deeply and irrevocably in love right there and then.
I’m buying the sound track this morning.
THANK YOU AUNT LYNN!!!
Kris, I’m so happy you loved it! I admit that the first time I saw it I walked around singing the “audition song” (i.e. “we fairies” and “be as thou wast wont”) for days. I re-watched it last week with a gay friend of mine (who, although he called it cute, didn’t like it as much as I did, but then he works in the film industry and is highly critical of most movies) and I fell in love all over.
And I just watched — literally, like a half hour ago — the original short, Fairies (I rented a shorts compilation called Boy Crazy from Netflix), and I can so appreciate Tanner Cohen’s beautiful voice so much more because the leads in the short are, well, not polished. I have a feeling that was part of the intent, but seriously, Cohen and Becker are just amazing. I now need to go back and re-watch WTWM to get a fix…
Well, I don’t know what I was doing back in June to miss this review! My daughter saw this film recently and said, “Mom, you have to watch it!” I did (yesterday) and emailed Wave that I would write a review…and she pointed me to this. Thanks, Lynn! So much better and more insightful than what I would have come up with. I would’ve just gushed. I loved this movie–so much so I am going to watch it again today. Thank God for Netflix insta-watch!
L
Better late than never, Leslie, and you are welcome! Tell all your friends. And I love Netflix insta-watch, as that is where I found it as well, and visit to watch it over and over (even though I own it now).