Film

NewFest: 'Whirlwind' Falls Flat

By Marcos Bernal-Salas

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Most films that go around the festival circuit have either a hit or miss momentum. The NewFest, NYC’s LGBT Film Festival, has had for the past week an exceptional roster of films, documentaries and shorts. For the most part many of the LGBT filmmaker’s are brave enough to push the envelope or shed light into controversial issues. Others prefer to stay within the safety zone and the many clichés surrounding gay characters. The latter unfortunately applies to ‘Whirlwind’ by director Richard LeMay.

The film set in New York City, written by Emmy Award winning writer Jason Brown, follows a close-knit group of gay men and their banal tribulations. The five friends are within the early to mid 30’s and at first glance they have all fallen into a sedimentary routine. That is until Drake; a mysterious and charming newcomer enters the group to spice things up. From then on, each of the men fall into Drake’s charm or bed and quickly fall into disarray. As much as LeMay and Brown try to stay afloat the continuous waves of clichés throughout the film quickly sink what could have been a great film. Instead, the audience is presented with the typical gay characters: the gay couple that is so different but so much in love, the not-so-attractive friend who is really funny, the wise and much older friend and finally the guy who prefers one-night stands instead of true commitment.

‘Whirlwind’ misses the mark in many levels. Yes, at the end the glossy ending that true friendship will prevail comes across but to what cost. How can one man – no matter how charming – aggressively change the strong bonds between friends and lovers? Are gay men really that shallow and easily conquerable? There’s never quite an explanation behind Drake’s motives to begin with. And the circle of men doesn’t seem to be a challenge for him either. Even if it seems that they have it all, to me it comes across as an illusion especially if there are no dialogue revelations or substance behind each of the character’s story. Though the only salvation for ‘Whirlwind’ might be some good acting within the cast it is not enough to save it from falling into gay dullness. And that’s hard to write – and even to realize – because nowadays with the many LGBT characters and stories out in our society there ought to be no hesitation to represent each of them they way it should be.