Olga G
The movie Straight Up has a number of great components. It sheds light on OCD in a humorous, but never derogatory way. It wonders if one's sexual orientation that is determined and imposed by others rather than by the person themselves, can be trusted. And, perhaps most importantly, can a committed relationship, that never have and never will include sex, survive? There's great dialogue, clever editing, and good acting. But the components fail to form a good movie. The main character has OCD, which includes fear of bodily fluids, making sex all but impossible for him with either gender. So, his sexual orientation is kind of a moot point. Yet there's so much handwringing about it. His "only friends" bully him on the regular basis, so no wonder he is so lonely and lost. But the movie glosses over that. It tries to be realistic, but not too dark and sad, fails at both, and loses its way.
Rated 3/5 Stars •
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
11/15/23
Full Review
Kat A
While many of the reviews were somewhat mixed as in ‘how believable could this be?' I found it totally enjoyable! There were some great insights for all of us including many parallels in serious intellectual thinking about relationships! I'm here to say that there are real life relationships like this! For example, a beautiful relationship between me and my own person — my partner/roommate/caretaker? We don't know how to label our relationship but — after this much time together — we know that sex is not part of who we are. I am a 70-year-old bisexual-but-mostly-lesbian old woman with Alzheimer's and serious health issues that sometimes require my caretaker/best friend/life partner to even have to clean up my poop, yes. Sometimes I'm not even conscious! He loves me and I love him and the only reason we're not married is because it doesn't necessarily work to anyone's advantage. He's younger than me, twice divorced once widowed, a proud veteran, and he has the biggest heart you'd ever imagine. That sounds like Todd to me. And if you can't tell, yes, I totally identify with Rory. So yes, this relationship conundrum is real! Thanks for hearing me! And thank you James Sweeney for doing this film!
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
08/11/23
Full Review
Aaron S
This is more a vehicle to showcase clever and quippy writing than a movie with human characters - which is a tinge problematic when its two main characters who do not desire sex appear to be more like robots than humans. And fine - it's a movie. Movies can create the characters they want but for how human this story is, the characters tend to zap the life out of every scene. Not even just the 2 leads but every character feels definitively manufactured. The fluidity of sexual orientation and uncertainty over desires is a fantastic premise that seems mostly compromised by Straight Up's lack of grace.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
08/09/23
Full Review
Excel A
Independent movies truly hold as being a constant foray for fresh ideas and interpretations into old genres and Straight Up is a pure example. This romantic comedy is fresh and very nuanced in the elements that it is made up of.
The acting is fresh and awkward, and brought to life by the well thought out dialogues. The script meanders effortlessly, and it's sure to leave audiences guessing as to where it all ends.
Romance and sexuality is very complex, and Straight Up brings a lovely spin to how relationships can exist, how the straitjacket that labels sometimes hold can be done away with. It's a movie about a lot of connection, heart and love.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
03/03/23
Full Review
FF S
Sharp, rapid-fire dialog and a clever premise. I was impressed by the writing, the acting, and the directing, and although I struggled to keep up sometimes, I really enjoyed this film. And I am not generally one for rom-coms.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
01/28/23
Full Review
Audience Member
Very intelligent dialogue and charming and quirky main characters make for a better than usual rom com and far better than usual gay rom com. Supporting characters were a little thinly drawn, but in the end don't detract from a genuinely innovative and sweet story. Not quite sure I got the ambiguous ending, i.e., the duo was now a trio of friends, a throuple. But the viewer does route for the leads to find happiness -- on their own terms.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/18/23
Full Review
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