When his father dies, the event puts Frank’s life at the crossroads and uncovers past loves and losses. Bettany is brilliant as the buttoned-down NYC literature professor whose niece Beth seems to release more of who he really is.
Peter Macdissi plays it just right as a warm affectionate lover who brings emotional strength and a questioning nature to his relationship with Bettany’s closet queer. Wally has experienced worse things than Frank – having fled his native land for fear of beheading because of his sexuality.
Both men spend a good part of their lives lying to their families about their true nature – Wally being hidden away from Frank’s relatives. When Beth gets involved she is the architect of change and the road to redemption and reconciliation.
Frank’s advice to Beth – “ you can choose who you want to be “ seems not to apply to his own life, but his father’s funeral unleashes a level of hatred that is quite shocking but also a necessary evil to make Frank re-examine his life and a tragic incident in his past that has to be exorcised if he is to prosper as the man he really is.
Hats off to Miramax and Amazon Studios for mainstreaming the film – it deserves the widest of audiences.
It’s available on Amazon Prime video
