The dialogues are witty, kinky and perfectly humorous. Gayby shows that low-budget, amateurish indie comedies can be really amusing sometimes. In the meantime, their sex- lives start to flourish, causing problems both for the couple's casual relationship and for their baby-making ordeal. Unfortunately, after a couple of trials they realize that trying to conceive is harder than one might think. Their daily routine consists of working – Matt sells comic books at a nearby store and Jenn teaches hot yoga – going on dates in the evenings, and making love (in this situation it sound kind of weird) during the nights. Without any second thoughts they decide that the best, the most adequate way to get Jenn pregnant is through the traditional act of sex. The film shows a strictly unromantic yet undeniably laughable story about two best friends – a gay guy named Matt and a straight woman named Jenn – planning on having a 'gayby' together (although, as Matt clearly explains, this is a proper word only when two gay people two strictly gay people want to be parents). It is as vivacious as it is entertaining. Fortunately, for the sake of the genre, once in a while there is a comedy that really aspires to contradict trends. Still, it's excruciating to observe how most of them cut corners and follow a well known, often indescribably boring and tiring, path. That the audiences can't compliant about the number of rom-coms coming out on the big screen is a fact. In the clichéd world of comedies nothing seems unconventional these days. Although one very predictable plot twist to provide some conflict for the characters comes up, its equally predictable resolution is still very satisfying and the tying up of loose ends for all the characters leaves the viewer with a smile on their face and a new appreciation for all the friends we consider family, and family who become friends. The emotions, insecurities, friendships and even the average, non-movie-star appearance of the central characters, as well as their natural, seemingly improvised dialogue and performances, overall, are refreshing. Throughout, this tale of two best friends-one gay, one straight-who decide in their 30s to procreate "the old-fashioned way," has a unique and sweetly real quality that deals with the actual logistics of gay/straight copulation in ways both touching (pun intended), and absurd.
Writer and director Lewiski, ironically, casts himself in the most superficial role as "Nellie" a newly-made gay "Bear" whose effeminate demeanor and catty wisdom serve as both comic relief and moral anchor for the rest of the outstanding cast, which includes, surprisingly, now distinguished actor Adam Driver in an early, minor role. We saw it at the Dryden Theatre as part of the extraordinary ImageOut-the Rochester LGBT Film & Video Festival.įar from the usual cliche, cleaned-up straight versions of single women getting pregnant by accident or design, "Gayby" is a full-on gay tour de force of sometimes farcical, many times profound and always real human interaction. This is a film worth seeking out and seeing.
The dialog is witty, the characters are endearing, and the movie is very enjoyable. The supporting cast-including Lisecki himself- is highly competent. (She may teach yoga in real life, but, even if she doesn't she's obviously had experience with it.) Harris is an excellent actor, and so is Matthew Wilkas. (Jennifer Aniston could play the role perfectly, but then the movie wouldn't work.) Jenn Harris looks like a person who could be your friend, or, for that matter, your yoga instructor. Director Lisecki has taken the bold step of using an actor-Jenn Harris-who isn't an incredibly gorgeous woman. While Jenn and Matt are working on the conception plan, new lovers come and go, friendships are formed and broken, promises are made and kept or not kept. The ensuing complications are very funny, sometimes in a bittersweet way.
The plot of the movie is developed from this premise. Not an appealing option for Matt-he's definitely gay, not bisexual.
However, Jenn is into natural healing and natural methods, so she tells Matt she wants to conceive the child the "old-fashioned" way. Right, she'll conceive a child with Matt as the father.
Jenn suggests a biologically and psychologically reasonable plan. Matt has broken up with his long-time partner, and isn't over the pain yet. Jenn has been hoping to meet the right man, get married, and conceive a child. The movie stars Jenn Harris as Jenn, a thirties-something straight woman, and Matthew Wilkas as Matt, a gay man who has been Jenn's best friend since college. Gayby (2012) was written and directed by Jonathan Lisecki.