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Trick
review by Anthony D.
Rated R
Studio: New Line
Running Time: 89 minutes
Starring: Christian Campbell, J. P. Pitoc and Tori
Spelling
Written by Jason Schafer
Directed by Jim Fall
Retail Price: $24.98
Features: Trailer, Talent Files
Specs: 1.66:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.0 Dolby Digital
English, English Subtitles, Chapter Search (16 Chapters)
Let's say for a moment that this is your life: your
roommate has locked you out overnight so that he could have
sex, your best friend is an almost talented aspiring
singer-actress who thinks that the musical comedy you've
been composing is being written especially for her. So after
a trying day (sleeping in the stairwell, stuck in a no-win
job, auditioning your musical), you drop into a corner bar
and meet someone special, someone very, very special. A
drop-dead-gorgeous someone who happens to be a stripper! And
that body! Wow! You leave the bar knowing that this angel is
"out of your realm," so you take the subway back to your
apartment. And who should be riding that same subway car?
Your angel. Your eyes meet. The angel follows you out of the
car. You chat, and find that the angel wants the same thing
that you do: a place to get together for an afternoon tryst.
Wherever you go, you tryst is thwarted: your best friend is
in your apartment copying her resume, but she offers to help
you entertain your angel by singing some of the songs you
have composed...though your angel would rather hear you
sing...and when you do, this angel begins to make your
sexual dreams come true only to be interrupted by your
roommate and his fiancee reminding you that the apartment is
being used for his reunion with his fiancee who has been
spending time abroad. What can you do but pull up your
trousers, take your angel by the hand and lead HIM off into
the night in pursuit of an hospitable environment conducive
to sexual activity...
Jim Fall's 1999 independent film, "Trick" takes the
age-old tradition of comedy-of-manners, turns it inside out
and creates a bold new comdey-of-gay-manners. Christian
Campell takes the starring role of Gabe, a youthful,
hopefully Broadway-bound composer who meets his angel, Mark
(J. P. Pitoc), a go-go boy with abs of steel just as Mark is
finishing up his dance show for the day. Riding the same
subway car, their eyes meet and they know they want to get
into the sack as soon as possible. Pandemonium strikes at
every corner, leaving Gabe and Mark to wander off into the
night, prowling the cabaret rooms and dance floors of
Manhattan, meeting the mischievous glances of both friend
and foe. Their city-wide sojourn may not lead them to
trysting place, but it leads them to a better understanding
of each other, and a possibly bright future together.
Opening with a stunning sunrise-drenched New York City
skyline worthy of the best technicolor films of the 1940's,
one can tell that "Trick" is going to be an eye-pleasing
experience on DVD. Fortunately, the rest of the digital
presentation lives up to the promise of the opening shots.
Terry Stacy's cinematography captures Manhattan in all its
guises through the course of Gabe's long day's journey into
night; from sunny interiors to fluerescent-lit audition
halls and into the neon-drenched world of discos, the
picture quality remains on target. Due to it's budgetary
restraints, "Trick" only rarely shows signs of grain, and
the focus is so clear, you can count the physical
imperfections on Tori Spelling's face (Chapter 3, Enter
You)! Colors are for the most part natural - the film looks
as if it used available lighting for the most part, giving
it a realistic feel.
"Trick's" soundtrack is limited to an English 2.0 Dolby
Digital Surround track - - not that there's any call for a
more intricate mix, but there are scenes that are screaming
for a pounding bass (Chapters 4, & 10 are both set in
different dance clubs, and each features a superior dance
mix of the 70's classic songs Dream Weaver and I am Woman)
and we're only treated to a thumping bass. Both mentioned
chapters however, do make the most of the surround channels,
enveloping the viewer with music. Dialogue is clear and
sparkling, the better to hear such lines as Gabe's classic
self-effacing, "I've spent the last eight years of my life
writing in a genre [musical theater] that has been dying a
slow death since Gypsy," and the humorous cabaret paean to
the penis, "Como te Gusto mi Pinga?", a rollicking,
Spanish-flavored ditty delivered with tongue firmly
implanted in cheek by Steve Hayes (Chapter 8, Piano Bar).
A cute theatrical trailer, and text-only talent files are
the only features on this New Line (non-Platinum) home video
release.
Heterosexuals beware, this movie contains naturalistic
portrayals of gay men and women! Not that this is an issue
picture, but the spin on the traditional "boy meets girl"
tale has something for everyone of any sexual persuasion.
Because the characters are so well-conceived, and expertly
cast, they contain elements that each of us can identify
with: Gabe's longing to be accepted by someone he considers
"out of his reach," Katherine's not-really-all-that talented
actress/singer seeking the role that will show off her
"talent," as well as Gabe's straight roommate who seeks
woman after woman without a qualm. That the tale ends on a
note of hopeful encouragement will cure the incurable
romantic in everyone.
"Trick" is a pleasant little diversion, worthy of an
evening's rental. Anyone who has harbored any doubts about
Tori Spelling and acting will be surprised by the truly
comic performance she delivers here. Christian Campbell
brings none of the labored mannerisms of the Campbell clan
to his portrayal of Gabriel. (He is the brother of "Party of
Five's" Neve Campbell). As for J. P. Pitoc's Mark, aside
from the fine acting chops, he boasts a body that will make
make women swoon, and force insecure men into a strong
exercise regimen. If I have one caveat concerning "Trick,"
it is the unnecessary coarseness of a minor character in a
major scene, the scene though played for truth, rings false
in an otherwise light-hearted love story. It brings the film
to a sudden stop, and really adds nothing important to the
plot.
Hopefully, viewers will not be too put off by the thought
of a "gay" film, and will plop "Trick" into their dvd player
for longer than a one-night stand.
 (3.5/5, NOT included in
final score)
 (4/5)
(3.5/5)
(4/5)
(4/5,
NOT an average)
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