Gods and Gays

Cinequest 2006
 I really hated God and Gays.

It’s not that the movie was so horrible, but good it wasn’t. It was like a lesson on how to NOT make a documentary.

I mean… Editing. I think you learn this in Movie Making 101. And English 101. Edit the damn interviews, we don’t need to hear every word. And… Viewpoint. Show some different ones. This movie would have been much more powerful if we could have heard some of the hateful things that “Christians” say directly from their mouths. Teach the audience something. I learned nothing. Spike learned nothing. Not to mention, there is SO MUCH FOOTAGE available of the horrible things gays and lesbians have gone through in the name of Christianity – why was all this left out? Only a few soundless clips of Reverend Phelps protesters – nothing emotional, nothing powerful or horrifying or anything to make you feel something. Explain what Exodus and Life Source are – spokespeople from these organizations were interviewed, I have no idea what these organizations are.

The first hour of the movie I just felt was too esoteric for the average audience – there was nothing of value in this film to anyone unless you were a gay or lesbian. And the only offering it had to them is just being able to hear other gays and lesbians talk about the same thing they also must have gone through. But I wonder if the gay and lesbian couples in this theater (which was packed) got anything out of it themselves. It was just kind of dull. I was really, really curious what the majority actually thought after seeing this. All the people around me were stretching, putting on jackets and checking their watches that last 30 minutes, so I don’t think I am alone.

It felt like the quality of a Public Access TV Show from early Saturday morning. After an hour of the movie I thought if this had been on TV I would have already changed the channel. At that point I would have rated it 7 out of 10 stars. By the time it finallllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllly ended it was down to a 5 or 6. This showing was sold out and there was a huge line of people who didn’t get in. There’s another showing Friday at 9:30 and they added another on Saturday morning. I wonder if those shows are going to be packed after word gets out from this audience.

Dear Movie-Maker,
You had some really interesting people that you interviewed. Jason Stuart and both pastors were fantastic. But editing should be your friend. Show different viewpoints. Teach the audience something. Show the other side – Especially with a subject like this where the other side can be so incredibly insulting and hypocritical. You had a great theme. But you didn’t fly with it.

I went home very upset at the waste of my time, and the wasted effort of this film.
I could be wrong, it could be everyone else in the theater loved it. But I kind of think they probably agree with me, it could have been so much better.
So yeah. I don’t recommend it.