BearCity

Wow - What A Surprise!! From the cheesy box art and film description, you'd think that BearCity would be a shallow comedy attempting to make a play at Sex and the City with a segment of the gay population that is frequently swept under the rug. What you see is NOT what you get. BearCity engages you from the moment it begins until its inevitable conclusion.

Spring chicken Tyler (Joe Conti) is ashamed. He's come out of the closet but has another secret he's been hiding from his flamboyant gay roommate Simon (Alex Di Dio) - he wants to be caught kissing Santa Claus! (Or, any other portly, hairy man) In other words, he loves bears.

Tyler finally ventures out (a la Justin in Queer As Folk) and finds himself in the local bear bar. Naturally, he is adopted by a couple of couples that are having relationship issues of their own. Fred (Brian Keane) and Brent (Stephen Guarino) are two bears who are in a long-term relationship that may be losing its spark. Thankfully, they have a room for rent (Did I mention Tyler wants to move?), and Tyler ends up in their home. Meanwhile, Carlos (James Martinez) is upset that his heavy bear boyfriend Michael (Gregory Gunter), is considering getting lap band surgery.

While navigating this new social scene, Tyler finds his perfect bear: Roger (Gerald McCullough). He's a promiscuous, muscle-bound, hairy, silver fox, A-lister that can certainly hold his own with the boys.

On the surface BearCity feels like a Sex and the City or Queer as Folk knockoff, but generally, it will leave you captivated by the realistic portrayal of the inner workings of the bear community. Kudos go to the writers of BearCity for managing to take the community seriously while using it for a comedic backdrop. (And I certainly don't mind the raunchy sex scenes *wink*)

The cast is remarkable. Everyone from Tyler to Simon are pitch perfect. Roger's portrayal may seem a little out of left field, but McCullough's performance becomes masterful in its complexity.

The DVD contains some hilarious and welcome special features. An "Out of the Woods" making-of documentary continues the film's comedic overtones. There is also commentary from the writers and actors, a music video, photo gallery and theatrical trailer. A Homopop interview has the co-writers answering questions while molesting the interviewer. Hilarious!

Sequel? Please?

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BearCity
DVD
$19.99
www.bearcitythemovie.com