Broadway Damage (1997)

Director:

Victor Mignatti

Writer:

Victor Mignatti (writer)

Release Date:

19 May 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical | Romance

Tagline:

Greetings from Greenwich Village.

Plot:

A quirky, romantic comedy about the complexity and frustration of finding a true love in the gay community...

Plot Keywords:

Homosexual | Independent Film

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Mara Hobel	...	Cynthia
Michael Lucas	...	Marc
Hugh Panaro	...	David
Aaron Williams	...	Robert
Gary Janetti	...	Zola
Gerry McIntyre	...	Jerry
Tyagi Schwartz	...	Carl
Alan Filderman	...	Casting Director
James Lecesne	...	Cruise Ship Actor
Barbara Winters Pinto	...	Temp Agent
Benim Foster	...	The Super
Jean Loup	...	Punk
Jonathan Walker	...	Chuck
Richard Davidson	...	The John
Michael Jefferson	...	Drag Queen

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

UK:15

Filming Locations:

Chicago, Illinois, USA

Company:

Village Art

Quotes:

Cynthia: This place is FABULOUS! And I don't use the "F" word loosely.

Maybe............."The Grand Gesture"

C'mon, World, wake up and REdiscover this little gay gem of a movie. There are so many out there that easily deserve their 0- or 1-Star; surely this little pearl deserves more. Yes, 1997's "Broadway Damage" is probably one of the most underrated and least known "gems" of gay filmdom........why not discover its delights yourself? So, just what is it about this production? Well, hey, there's no weird, dreary storyline; it's lite and fun......with guys who are not afraid to kiss. Yes, Michael Shawn Lucas (as Marc) has a body "to die for" and, c'mon, when he's also as earnestly sincere and sweet as he is, who wouldn't wanna wind up with him. And it would be very hard to forget Aaron Williams (as Robert), playing an endearing "little puppy" of a guy, who'll bring down Marc in the end. In fact, both male leads wear their sincerity on their sleeves----kinda refreshing to think there might still be guys like this out there.

Above all, if you can't stand the sunny sincerity of a Broadway musical (but without all the singing), then stay away from this cuz it definitely tries to be sincere.......and succeeds at that in spades. Along with this there's really great cinematography: brite and colorful (how'd they do it with what must have been a piddl'in budget?). Hey, and there's that soundtrack to fall in love with, too. How Director Victor Mignatti put all this together, with no more money than he likely had, is anybody's guess and is a minor (scratch that), major miracle. How does a guy like this then just disappear from directing for the next 8, 9 years? Sad, sad, sad.

In closing, one thing to possibly question is if maybe, just maybe, Director Mignatti should'a rethought the title. "BD" might resonate more with NY City-ers, but his own within-the-movie phrase: "The Grand Gesture" might have had more meaning to audiences at large (would the latter, as a title, have drawn in more viewers/buyers who'd fondly remember this film?). Ah, well, Monday morning "after-thought-ing" is always easier, isn't it? Besides, any way you look at it, Marc and Robert are gonna wind up being one of the favorite couples you'll meet in your home film library from time to time.....I betcha.

PS: You know what? I'll even betcha this movie is one that other favorite film couples, such as Aaron & Christian (see Title 1, below) and Cedric & Laurent (see Title 2, below) would wanna have in their home video collections.

(1) "Latter Days" / (2) "Just A Question Of Love"