Adam & Steve

Plot synopsis:
In 1987, Adam (Craig Chester), a shy, cynical Jewish kid, encounters Steve (Malcolm Gets), an attractive Dazzle Dancer performing at Danceteria one night. The two flirt and go back to Adam's apartment to have sex, with Steve offering Adam the latter's first hit of cocaine. Unbeknownst to Steve, the cocaine is cut with baby laxative, resulting in Steve losing control of his bowels and explosively defecating all over Adam's apartment. Humiliated, Steve flees.
Seventeen years later, Adam is a jaded ex-substance addict working as a New York City tour guide, while Steve has become a successful psychiatrist. By sheer coincidence the two meet when Adam accidentally stabs his dog and Steve, who dabbled in veterinary medicine, treats the animal at the hospital. Both Adam and Steve fail to recognize each other from their previous meeting.
Adam and Steve strike a fast friendship and begin dating, eventually falling in love; Steve introduces Adam to his latently religious parents, while Adam introduces Steve to his disaster-prone family. Rhonda (Parker Posey) and Michael (Chris Kattan)—Adam and Steve's respective best friends—are initially wary of the other's friend and openly hostile toward one another, but soon themselves fall in love and begin dating.
Steve's feelings for Adam grow, and eventually he confides in Michael and Rhonda that he plans to propose marriage to Adam. On the Brooklyn Bridge, however, right as Steve prepares to propose to Adam, Adam absentmindedly muses that his entire litany of substance abuse and relationship problems were sparked by his disastrous affair with an incontinent Dazzle Dancer back in 1987. In that instant, Steve realizes who Adam is; horrified at this revelation, and feeling responsible for all of Adam's problems, Steve abruptly breaks up with Adam.
Adam falls into despair until Rhonda wheedles the truth about Steve's past from Michael; she and Michael reveal all to Adam. Adam angrily confronts Steve, who is apologetic but still upset and scared by feelings of responsibility for Adam's problem-filled life.
Adam is still upset and prepared to give up on their relationship, but Steve apologizes more humbly and professes his love to Adam (buffeted by singing a piano-accompanied version of the song "Something Good"); Adam softens and accepts. Steve moves forward with his marriage proposal. The film ends with the two marrying in an outdoor ceremony, with all their friends and family in attendance.

Tags: gothic

Review:
I'm getting really tired of people who don't like a particular film genre giving bad reviews of movies belonging to that genre.
I honestly feel that most of the bad reviews were of people predisposed to dislike it just as they'd be predisposed to dislike any new romantic comedy, gay or straight.
But as a gay man I've been cheated of this genre, always having to superimpose my own boy/boy couple over the boy/girl couple in the film.Adam and Steve is the film I (and others I'm sure) have been waiting for.
As Chester says in the film commentary, he and Gets don't have to worry about "playing gay" but can simply play the characters, and when they are in bed together or sharing a romantic moment (lots of kissing in this film), you don't have to wonder if they felt odd or uncomfortable.
It's obvious that they didn't and don't.Parker Posey and Chris Kattan are along for the ride, Ms. Posey giving yet another lovable quirky performance that's made her the indie queen, and Mr. Kattan showing himself a real actor and real person, something that his usual over the top roles don't allow him to do.If you don't like romantic comedies, don't see this movie.
But if you're like me, someone who loves the genre but has felt cheated out of his own romcom, by all means BUY the DVD because this is a movie you'll be watching again and again..
Adam (Craig Chester) and Steve (Malcolm Gets) have an embarrassing one night stand in the late 80s.
Also Adam's best friend (Parker Posey) falls in love with Steve's best friend (Chris Kattan).This is no masterpiece.
When it's funny it's hysterical and some of the observations Adam and Steve make about being gay and in love are VERY accurate (Chester and Gets are gay in real life so it adds more to the lines--they speak from experience).
I do think the fact that gay actors played gay characters made things a bit more fluid- much better than, say, "Jeffrey," which featured straight actors overacting gay.I laughed a lot more than I remember doing at any Rom-com in recent memory.
I know that there are important issues dealing with the gay community, but it is nice to see a film that looks past all of the usual topics points and moves on to very funny comedy.
The guys at Funnyboy Films made a good choice making Adam and Steve.
Is it possible that this will be the first "gay" date movie that straight couples will go to and laugh with?Maybe that's hoping for an America more open-minded than it is, but certainly the open minded heterosexual partners are in for a good time.Kudos to writer/directer Chester for creating what is an impressive mosaic of styles.
But somehow scenes of first love are actually made sweeter all the more by the slapstick running gag that accompanies them (sorry, no spoilers here!).The leads are extremely appealing, the dialog is well-realized, and the realities of dating are sharply realized in a film that walks the fine line between maudlin and frank but rarely feels dishonest.
Additional kudos to Parker Posey, who becomes the heterosexual equivalent of the "Jack" character on "Will & Grace." Her comic contributions are note-perfect.Chester has commented that the use of comedy has a role in helping straight audiences better accept a budding romance between men.
Think "When Harry Met Sally," only with 2 guys.Parker Posey and Chris Kattan are incredibly funny without being overbearing, as they are merely supporting characters.The beginning of the movie is *so* funny, you may have to see it a few times to catch everything that happens.
There are plenty of other scenes that are also so heartily LOL funny, you might miss something in the follow up dialogue.It is a fantastic, light comedy about two people falling in love.
Hopefully some of America has their eyes open enough to except this film as they would any other indie romantic comedy, not minding the fact that indeed, the lead couple is gay!.
Somewhat interesting premise, however, writer and director Craig Chester doesn't have much faith in it and decides to fill the film with a barrage of gross out humor, slapstick, and silly over the top moments.
The end result is a movie that seems to sell out for cheap laughs rather than go for something real.Craig Chester (who also wrote and directed) and Malcolm Gets are likable as Adam and Steve but don't generate much chemistry.
Chris Kattan is basically wasted in a supporting role as the best friend.If you are looking for a few laughs and don't have expectations too high, I would recommend this film.
It deals with the day to day of a grown up relationship between two people who are trying to learn how to love, just like most of us have or had, yet still deals with tough subjects like gay bashing, drug abuse and sexual compulsion, but not in a preachy way.Many people in the audience applauded when someone thanked the director for a 'romantically optimistic ending', alluding to the tragic ending of Brokeback Mountain, which is, of course, made entirely by straights seeming to take pity on our plight as eternal martyrs.There were no martyrs here, just a lot laughs and genuine chemistry between Adam & Steve.
Malcolm Gets, Craig Chester, Parker Posey & Chris Kattan all get a huge thumbs up for their wonderful comedy performances in "Adam and Steve." A surprise appearance is also made by the adorable Paul Sands, whom many of you may remember from the "Mary Tyler Moore Show." Yes, the jokes are vulgar and crazy, but don't you deserve a good bellylaugh at something that is just pure FUN?
Roger Ebert's review of this movie called this gag "poor taste" or some such thing, and I can understand (and even APPRECIATE) a straight guy who isn't comfortable seeing gay bashing.
No, gay-bashing isn't funny, but this running gag IS.One scene was absolutely STUNNING: A dance-off developed between Malcolm Gets and Craig Chester that was so well-done and remarkably entertaining that I KNOW I must buy this movie on DVD as soon as it comes out just to see this dance number again.
Craig Chester wrote, directed and stars in this comic love story between two men: a New York City shrink and a klutzy Jewish tour guide who meet and fall in love--but will the recollection of a disastrous date 17 years ago ultimately come between them?
This is the first gay romantic comedy movie to truly be all three of those things.
None of the characters are believable, the tone is mostly a farce but there is not a lot of intelligence behind it.I believe this film is getting a decent buzz, primarily because the two leads are actually gay and rarely do we see supposed "real-life" portrayal of gays in romantic comedies.The filmmakers intent was to show what it is really like to be in a homosexual relationship and that they have the same feelings, concerns, desires, etc as heterosexual couples.
There are scenes where Posey and Kattan both seem to be rolling their eyes, maybe wondering how they got roped into this production.Adam & Steve has no direction and flounders in search of one.
There are a handful of humorous moments, most of which come courtesy of Posey and Kattan, that prevent the movie from becoming a complete waste of time.
Okay, so this movie had some funny moments, but most of it just left me cold--like it was trying too hard and somehow ended up being too artificial and too phony.
The movie did have its highlights--Parker Posey and Chris Kattan had their moments, the dance off was funny and it did make some interesting points about the human condition and relationships: I liked it when Adam asked Steve what he wanted, and he blurts out: "I don't know!!" Not an easy thing to admit.All in all, "Adam and Steve" has given me a little bit of hope that someone out there might make a gay-themed movie that won't insult my intelligence..
it touches on subjects like homophobia and presents it as something other than hateful, rather just plain stupid; that revealing a gay relationship to your loved ones will not necessarily mean that the sky will fall, etc.
also while Chris Kattan was okay in the movie, i wonder (in light of the recent pepsi commercials), if the movie would have been funnier had Jimmy Fallon played Chris's character...(the mind wanders)...and Malcolm Gets...*sigh/swoon*kudos to Craig Chester for writing and directing this very friendly and comfortable movie.
Just Have Fun With It. So I've seen that others were expecting a great "gay" movie, but I loved it.
This was Craig Chester's "brass ring", meaning SOMEHOW he got a studio, backing and named actors to take part in this production, and he had the option to show the world what a great director he was by casting an age-appropriate actor for the lead or by showing he is a narcissist by believing a a 40-year-old man he could play a teen-age goth kid.
A Very Mixed Bag. ADAM AND STEVE is a movie you want to succeed: the idea of an honest gay relationship developing between two guys with a weird history and subsequent difficulties forming meaningful intimacy, the presence of four fine actors, and a film that seems to take itself not too seriously.
The problem is that writer/director/star Craig Chester just seems to have put too much into his bag for one film and in doing so he diluted the strength it could have had.Adam (Craig Chester) first met Steve (Malcolm Gets) in a dance bar in 1987 where Adam (accompanied by his grossly obese friend Rhonda - Parker Posey in a fat suit) is dazzled by Steve's good looks and on a bet from Rhonda ends up on the date from hell: after snorting coke cut with baby laxative the two men become amorous with some rather embarrassing consequences.
Craig Chester and Malcolm Gets (particularly this latter hunk, who's just so winsomely huggable---he seems so right at home, so comfortable with himself) have some real warm moments, and that doesn't often happen in gay-themed films these days.
They weren't all perfectly aimed, but there were some really good ones.PS--So, congratulations, Adam & Steve, on your wedding and for being able to live in a world far removed from that of Jack & Ennis.***And for scenes in which "lip-locks" were done as well or better, try these: "Just A Question Of Love" / "Latter Days" / "All Over The Guy" / "Brokeback Mountain" / "Maurice" / sorry, gotta stop somewhere).
I hate to say it, but in this case, the old adage is true: No actor should write and direct himself and throw stones in a glasshouse with the last laugh...eh...whatever.What I'm trying to say is, that as funny as I can sense Craig being naturally at times, as little funny it is when he tries so hard to get his 'cute' lines across.Either Adam or Steve was miscast.
Craig Chester should have cast Steve as a lesser physically attractive man, someone with a big personality, to match Adam more evenly.
Craig/Adam's charms didn't compensate enough for the difference...OUCH, I know, but hey, I'm critical of myself too(its just this review is not, alas, about me).I love the idea of acting, producing, writing, directing oneself, but it rarely works (read: Ed Burns).
For starters, he doesn't really have a plot, just a situation (two guys who had a bad date hook up 17 yrs later and don't know it.) So the movie just sort of lays there and Chester tries to throw in funny bits, i.e, a female comic (Parker Posey, looking great) who is not funny (THIS is supposed to be funny???), wacky parents, etc.
They by chance meet each other, get along very well, until things start to fall apart.It is great that throughout the film, the emphasis is on love, instead of sex.
The thing that keeps the viewers watching is the real love that keeps Adam and Steve together.
Coupled with the excellent character development, the love between Adam and Steve becomes convincing and touching.The dance sequences of this film are very well rehearsed and delightful to watch.
Cartoonish script, over-acted roles, under-directed scenes, ridiculously lame costumes...you name it, this inept attempt at a comedy possesses it times ten.Even the "1987" opening of the film is off-base, with music and wardrobe missing the mark by about three years.
The two lead characters presented during this segment bear no resemblance to their 17-years-later counterparts.Randomly mixing "Airplane"-style slapstick with standard sitcom fare results in an awkwardly unfunny "farce."The gay-bashing "joke" running throughout the film isn't funny - getting hit in the head with a full beer bottle can do some serious damage.
Is the intended gay audience happy with a film that appears intent on making them look like morons?
Just a great movie - Adam and Steve.
I wish we would see more good movie theater productions like Adam and Steve.
Comedic gay romance films usually fall flat and run too sentimental to be funny and end up making everyone (gay, straight & misc.) uncomfortable.
Craig Chester (who also wrote and directed) and Malcolm Bets star as Adam & Steve who start the film with the greatest, worst first-date in cinematic history - it has to be seen to be believed.
It will make your worst date seem charming and the stuff of bad "date movies." Adam & Steve's first encounter is...
In this case, the supporting cast is Parker Posey and Chris Kattan as Adam and Steve's best friends respectively.
I laughed harder at this than I did at "The Simpsons Movie" which had just as much gay content as "Adam & Steve" now that I think about it.
The Director and the Producers of Adam & Steve can say that much for themselves.Having said that, I totally agree with Ebert on this one: this movie is a mix of scenes that are well done and scenes that would have been better left out.
I was expecting something mildly amusing at best, but was pleasantly surprised to find that the movie is a real scream -- wildly funny, and while some of the humor is raunchy (in particular, an early scene that depicts a one-night stand that ends in embarrassment), the film overall is also rather sweet and sentimental.
Writer/director Craig Chester is Adam, and Malcolm Gets (probably best-known from Caroline in the City) is Steve; both are excellent.
Parker Posey is quirky (but then isn't she always?) as Adam's fag hag, and Chris Kattan is annoying (but then isn't he always?) as Steve's straight roommate..
This movie follows your basic romantic comedy storyline, except the characters are gay and there is only one crazy, yet still possible, coincidence.
I am gay and I saw this film 3 times in the theater and just bought the movie on DVD today at Best Buy.I have to say that Adam & Steve is one of the most hilarious films I have ever seen.
Craig Chester as Adam, Malcolm Gets as Steve and Parker Posey as Rhonda.
I could have done without Chris Kattan as Steve's roommate Michael, but he's not in a larger percentage of the film, so that's okay."Adam & Steve" combines an irreverent sense of humor as well as genuine and heartfelt emotions that demonstrates the trials of relationships whether they be gay or straight.
This film certainly would not be an Oscar contender, but in a world where there seems to be a barrage of bad news, I think that we could use more outrageously funny comedies like "Adam & Steve"..
I found the acting to be honest, and the comedy to be completely off the wall, yet somehow the film manages to maintain it's message - which is beautifully wrapped in John Lennon's song "Love" towards the end of the film at Adam and Steve's wedding.I also enjoyed seeing some of the less photographed scenes from our NYC landscape, i.e. gay street, Grove Street - Many establishing shots of Marie's Crisis!
I would actually like to see Marie's spruce up a little and have it look the way it does in this film.The issues of diversity - family, traditions ( gay vs.
While a largely G/L audience (and frankly, who else was going to -- or has -- watch this, Chris Kattan and Parker Posey notwithstanding?) can certainly laugh as something like the hair product scene in Something About Mary or at Borat, the ex-law scene was not the way to introduce that here.Also, if you are going to do a scene with your leads at well more than a decade younger that they are currently playing (or are in real life), find some younger actors -- no matter what your budget is!
Mr. Chester and Mr. Gets are so bad in the movie's first scenes, you know they won't get any better later on.
It was funny and well worth a watch, gay or straight.Tripple the talent here for Craig Chester who wrote a beautiful story, directed it nicely and stars here in perhaps his best role.
I highly recommend Adam & Steve to everyone gays, and straights alike.
Even though it is clearly made for the gay audience, the straight audiences will most definitely be able to laugh and enjoy this film as well.
We follow the lives of Adam (Craig Chester) and Steve (Malcolm Gets).
Steve's roommate Michael (Chris Kattan best known from TV's Saturday Night Live), and Adam's best friend the formerly obese Rhonda (Parker Posey) who proves herself to be a great friend.
If you live in a city that doesn't get the Theatrical release of such an openly gay film make sure you sign up to needfulness and save a copy of Adam & Steve today, this is a must see film you will not be disappointed I loved it, and so will you..