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List Price: $19.94 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 8530
Released: March 6, 2001 |
| Our Price: $9.23 |
| Used Price: $7.89 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
A story about a group of gay men in hollywood their lovers and friends and the often hilarious occasionally poignant space in between that is if they can get any space at all. Studio: Sony Pictures Home Ent Release Date: 05/13/2008 Starring: Timothy Olyphant John Mahoney Run time: 95 minutes Rating: R Director: Greg Berlanti
Description of The Broken Hearts Club:
After viewing the gay ensemble film The Broken Hearts Club--the subtitle of which helpfully points out that it's "a romantic comedy"--you might feel as if you've been offered a discussion conundrum not unlike the kind that Mike Myers's Linda "Coffee Talk" Richman would put forward: "The Broken Hearts Club is neither romantic nor comedic. Discuss." What it is, rather, is a gay male version of Steel Magnolias, right down to the funeral scene and hospital visit. While decidedly less melodramatic than that Southern chick flick, it still aspires to a kind of big-group love-in feeling that's only vaguely comic. And romance? Well, there's some somewhere, when the characters aren't carping about how the only thing they're good at is being gay. They all wrestle with their Big Issues--should Patrick (Ben Weber) donate sperm so his sister can have a baby with her lesbian lover? Will cynical Dennis (Timothy Olyphant) finally admit he loves just-out-of-the-closet Kevin (Andrew Keegan)? How will love-'em-and-leave-'em Cole (Dean Cain) feel when he's rejected by the closeted movie star?--but to little effect, despite some snappy one-liners and occasional keen observances of gay culture. Writer-director Greg Berlanti's screenplay still feels about two or three drafts away from completion, and when faced with stalling action, he opts for a montage set to one of many Carpenters' songs (covers, not the actual hits themselves). Kudos go to the acidic Weber for infusing what could have been a whiny character with a dry, intelligent wit, and the surprisingly charming Cain, who makes Cole someone you can't really hate too much despite all his faults--it would be like hating a puppy. If only all the characters were half as appealing. --Mark Englehart
The Broken Hearts Club Reviews:
few flaws, lots of pluses, fine gay-positive entertainment 
2009-09-20 - I liked Broken Hearts Club from the first preview session in a local (Brisbane) boutique cinema. I've thoroughly enjoyed it several times since on DVD - including last night. The only flaw that gets to me is in the opening scene where the gay friends are playing at acting straight and Zach Braff loses by using the term "girlfriend" - and Tim Olyphant's character adds one too many negatives to his response, saying "There isn't a straight man in America who doesn't call anyone but their girlfriend "girlfriend"." He should have said "There isn't a straight man in America who calls anyone but their girlfriend "girlfriend"." A minor point perhaps, but double negatives give me a right royal headache.
It still gets five stars, because the other flaws are even more trifling. There are some excellent memorable lines - and Dean Cain (one of the most attractive, and contentedly straight, men in the world) utterly convinces in his role as gay bimbo Cole and seems to be having the time of his life.
I have a similar group of long term friends, in whom our only common factor is that we're gay - and that's why we met in the first place. Just as with the guys in this film, its the ongoing mutual support of our friends which made us happy to be gay.
Great Buy!
2009-09-13 - This is a great movie! It's entertaining and funny, the cast is awesome totally watch this movie!
"The Gay Version of "Sex and the City""
2009-03-30 - Way before "Queer as Folk" debut, this little independent filmed found its way into movie theatres and into the hearts of millions. "The Broken Hearts Club" is about a bunch of gay men, living in the Westwood area of Los Angeles, which is the city's gay district. The characters range in age from their early '20's to their late '50's, and anyone who watches this film can relate to at least one of the characters. We see stories of guys trying to find that special relationship with Mr. Right, guys having problems while having a relationship, and we even see a story of a gay man who may give his sperm to a lesbian couple; I have to wonder if that story actually persuaded the writers of "Queer as Folk" to do a similar story with Brian. Anyhow, "The Broken Hearts Club" is really one of the best gay themed films ever, with superb acting, directing, and writing. Dean Cain, who plays the promiscuos stud in the piece, steals the film. His good looks and demeanor are really intense, and we can see why men would fall for him. In this movie two types of gays are portrayed; the ones who want a relationship, and those who are contented in living their lives alone, albeit with a good sex life. What ties the men together is their genuine friendship for one another, as we see their love for each other is what binds them. I look at "The Broken Hearts Club" as the gay "Sex and the City", where friends would do anything for one another.
This is a great piece of cinema and I would recommend it highly to anyone who wants to watch a film with integrity and intelligence. I only wish more films of this calliber were being produced in Hollywood.
The DVD features commentary by the ditrector and producer, there are deleted scenes added, and the original trailer is included.
Critic Jami Bernard, from the New York Daily Times, says..."new ground is broken by "The Broken Hearts Club". The first mainstream gay movie...".
Ok to watch 
2008-08-19 - This film was alright, It had descent acting, I wouldn't buy the film but if someone gave it to me i'd take it. This one of those films you have to see for yourself.
Charming
2008-02-18 - This film was incredibly sweet and charming and just plain fun to watch. It did have a few sad moments, but on the whole is a film that will cheer you up and put a smile on your face. It tells the story of a group of gay friends who have their own amateur baseball team and who are always hanging out at the oldest member of their group, Jack's restaurant. The film is filled with great performances from a number of then relatively unknown actors who have since become much more famous. Its interesting to watch the film now, knowing what some of them have gone on to do in their careers. The film will appeal primarily to gay audiences, but almost anyone will find it fun, touching and a truly honest film about friendships, relationships and the loss of the ones we love.
