All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise Reviews

Cynics may view this documentary as an extended infomercial for actress, comedian, and former talk show host Rosie O'Donnell's gay travel company. But it's hard to remain hard-hearted in the face of so much touching, feel-good footage. Though her public persona since leaving her successful talk show has often been combative, here O'Donnell comes off as a devoted family woman and a sincere, no-nonsense advocate of gay rights. Despite an aversion to the spotlight, her partner, Kelli O'Donnell, proves an even more eloquent voice for equality, despite candid footage of her interacting with her own not-completely-supportive biological family. Even more compelling are the numerous interviews with the outing's varied passengers, from straight parents setting sail with their queer children to gay dads and lesbian moms -- and their children -- sharing their common experiences. Despite the Bahamas locale, everything isn't sunshine and light. Protesters in some ports stage demonstrations against the ship's arrival, setting the stage for dialogue that's at best civil, at worst hectoring and ugly. Experienced documentarian Shari Cookson films the proceedings in a no-frills style, introducing the participants by cabin number. The point seems to be that these everymen and everywomen are but representatives of a larger population -- one whose needs and desires are met more often by open-minded businesses than by society at large.