AmosL
09-29-2006, 06:45 PM
“THIRD MAN OUT”
A Donald Strachey Mystery
Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride
We have gay movie drama, gay comedy movies, gay movie musicals and now we a new genre emerging---the gay detective movie. “Third Man Out” (Here! TV) is the first of a series dealing with Donald Strachey, detective. It’s a very watchable and extremely enjoyable film and shows what can be done on a shoestring budget when the conditions are right. The plot follows the investigation of an attempt at murder and all that follows it.
Detective Strachey, excellently portrayed by the sexy hunk, Chad Allen, is a witness to talent. Allen wears the role with ease and he is so comfortable with his character that he makes the job of acting appear sublime. In fact, he does not seem to be acting at all and his ability to become the character he portrays is what makes this such a good movie.
Strachey is faced with twists and turns in the plot as he deals with an investigative reporter (Jack Weatherall) who takes it upon himself to “out” high profile, closeted gay men who use their positions of power to stifle gay rights. Because of this he has a list of powerful enemies and his life is on the line. Strachey agrees to take the case to protect him even though he despises him. Strachey himself has a shady past and a yummy boyfriend, Timothy, played by Sebastian Spence. This is one good movie. The plot is tight, the acting is great, the jazz musical score fits the tone of the action and the references to pedophiliac priests and the outing of celebrities make it relevant. But even more than those pluses, what really makes it work is the perfect casting, Chad Allen who is gay himself is perfect but the one problem is Spence who is probably straight and tries to hard to play gay.
The mystery is revealed slowly and with great care and this is a credit to a well written script. The fact that the movie is set in a gay milieu adds to the overall effect and it is nice to see no apologetic remarks being made because of it. The final twist of the plot is totally unexpected. I especially liked the idea that Strachey is not shown as a perfect PI. The fact that he does have a checkered past makes us curious to know what it is and hopefully we will find out in future Strachey films. It seems that Here! TV has a policy of screening movies that show us in a positive light and that is long overdue but very welcome. I hope that this movie is a sign of things to come. Donald Strachey is on his way to becoming a gay icon and a hero we can be proud of.
A Donald Strachey Mystery
Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride
We have gay movie drama, gay comedy movies, gay movie musicals and now we a new genre emerging---the gay detective movie. “Third Man Out” (Here! TV) is the first of a series dealing with Donald Strachey, detective. It’s a very watchable and extremely enjoyable film and shows what can be done on a shoestring budget when the conditions are right. The plot follows the investigation of an attempt at murder and all that follows it.
Detective Strachey, excellently portrayed by the sexy hunk, Chad Allen, is a witness to talent. Allen wears the role with ease and he is so comfortable with his character that he makes the job of acting appear sublime. In fact, he does not seem to be acting at all and his ability to become the character he portrays is what makes this such a good movie.
Strachey is faced with twists and turns in the plot as he deals with an investigative reporter (Jack Weatherall) who takes it upon himself to “out” high profile, closeted gay men who use their positions of power to stifle gay rights. Because of this he has a list of powerful enemies and his life is on the line. Strachey agrees to take the case to protect him even though he despises him. Strachey himself has a shady past and a yummy boyfriend, Timothy, played by Sebastian Spence. This is one good movie. The plot is tight, the acting is great, the jazz musical score fits the tone of the action and the references to pedophiliac priests and the outing of celebrities make it relevant. But even more than those pluses, what really makes it work is the perfect casting, Chad Allen who is gay himself is perfect but the one problem is Spence who is probably straight and tries to hard to play gay.
The mystery is revealed slowly and with great care and this is a credit to a well written script. The fact that the movie is set in a gay milieu adds to the overall effect and it is nice to see no apologetic remarks being made because of it. The final twist of the plot is totally unexpected. I especially liked the idea that Strachey is not shown as a perfect PI. The fact that he does have a checkered past makes us curious to know what it is and hopefully we will find out in future Strachey films. It seems that Here! TV has a policy of screening movies that show us in a positive light and that is long overdue but very welcome. I hope that this movie is a sign of things to come. Donald Strachey is on his way to becoming a gay icon and a hero we can be proud of.