Bedrooms and Hallways Reviews

With its anything's possible attitude toward sex, this bright and breezy roundelay from GO FISH director Rose Troche is a refreshing alternative to the set-in-stone sexuality found in so many gay-themed films. Trying to put the best possible face on turning 30, London furniture maker Leo (Kevin McKidd) allows himself to be talked into joining a men's group led by a terribly sensitive New Age therapist (Simon Callow). One night, while holding the "honesty stone," Leo confesses his attraction to another group member, a swarthy Irishman named Brendan (James Purefoy). To Leo's pleasant surprise, Brendan — who's just coming off a seven-year relationship with a woman named Sally — isn't made the least bit uncomfortable by Leo's honesty; he's even a little interested. But no sooner does their affair begin than Sally (Jennifer Ehle) comes knocking on Leo's door, suspecting that her ex is sleeping with Leo's roommate Angie (Julie Graham). When she sees Leo, Sally is floored — not because he's a man, but because Steven was the love of her teenage life; their relationship broke up years earlier in a haze of sexual confusion. But instead of confessing to his affair with Brendan, Leo rekindles his friendship with Sally, and even considers giving heterosexual sex another try. Troche and screenwriter Robert Farrar seem so keen on celebrating their characters's fluid sexuality that they tend to gloss over key developments that would have given this sophisticated farce a bit more ballast; Brendan's eventual surrender to Leo's charms, in particular, really needs to be seen to be entirely believed. But no matter: The film is fast and fun — an S&M-flavored dream sequence based on Jane Austen(!) is truly inspired — and like cinematographer Ashley Rowe's agile camera, it glides in and out of its characters lives with great style. It all weighs about as much as a feather, but makes for a thoroughly enjoyable diversion.