Listonixio Fresh and Exciting
Senteur As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.
Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
Fleur Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.
drtodds "Best Day Ever" (2014) Starting the new year out on a sappy note, because.....well sometimes life NEEDS to be sappier! :D
Based on the true story of filmmaker Jeff London and how after being single for 48 years, his life changed when he met the love of his life and found his true purpose. This film explores the issues of aging in the gay community, especially in the light of being single/not having found love -- as well as the challenges of entering into a relationship with a "significant" age gap.
David is turning 50 (without much sincere support from his friends) and questioning his life's path...wondering why things didn't turn out the way he had planned. Into his life walks Shane, the 35-year old cousin of his best friend...visiting from Indiana. The two awkwardly hit it off and end up falling in love. Mel England does a great job of portraying all of the mixed emotions David is feeling. And Tom Saporito adorably brings Shane's shy/introverted/video gaming geekness to life!
The biggest flaw of this work is that is has a bit of an identity crisis. It is too long to be a true Short Film.....yet it doesn't delve into the back stories of the characters deep enough to be a full fledged feature film (Running time is 1 hour and 17 minutes). I would have preferred the film to have veered in one direction or the other, but still have to say it was an enjoyable watch.
Suradit I think we're supposed to feel sympathy for the main character, David, who is turning 50, is questioning his long-term partnership and who is having issues with his career. His partner, Greg, it is implied, is cold and manipulative and not all that loving. In fact, the way it came across was that David was a self-absorbed, whiny drama queen whose partner was a very level-headed, sympathetic & loving person who withstood David's self-centered tantrums with amazing grace
and who, it might be added, had to be better off in every way to be free of David. That they apparently had had a long relationship and that it was only just beginning to unravel was really hard to believe. Greg and David then break up. Greg leaves. Lucky Greg.Then, after further interminable kvetching and more egocentric, whiny soul- searching, David is paired up with his friend's cousin. Shane is a shy thirty-something young man from Indiana who is strangely (and I do mean "strangely") attracted to David. One has to believe that Shane must have led a pretty lonely, sheltered life up to this point and/or he's a masochist with daddy issues. They decide to head off into the sunset, or back to Shane's home in Indiana in this case, having finally found true love
by which time the viewer's credulity has been stretched to the breaking point.The subject of unique issues that gay men face while coping with a mid-life crisis could certainly be fertile ground for comedy or drama, but this production failed to deliver. It was really impossible to feel any sympathy for David or to see any believable connection between him and Shane.
jbale-54380 I was skeptical about watching this movie at first.... Considering I'm going through what I believe is a mid - life crisis .. Did I want to watch a movie about someone's similar fate .? And being a straight man could I relate to a Gay mans experience .? Well Am I sure glad I put those worries to rest and watched Best Day Ever..!!!! Powerful and poignant are the first 2 words to come to mind after watching it ... Getting older is universal , all races,creeds , sexual orientations ,everyone grows old , there are no exceptions..... And Best Day Ever handles this truthfully and beautifully .,!! Mel England is the actor who anchors the film , he is stellar .! There is not a false note in his performance and the supporting players all do fine work ..!! This film gave me hope , and the world we live in , that is rare.....
Jake W Wow! I did not expect a lot out of this movie since most films in this genre are full of gratuitous sex and juvenile jokes. This is totally different and thus most refreshing. The story is simple but with superb acting and a very well written script, it delivers a sincerity and wit absent from most of Hollywood more expensive fare. The characters and their predicaments are extremely relate-able whether you're gay or straight. Mel England in the lead delivers with an exceptionally strong yet nuanced performance making it easy to watch and relate to his character. The supporting cast is also way above par. This could be Jeff London's best movie yet. Be ready to be moved and may be even cry a little. I usually find only Indie films can move me to tears these days. This one certainly delivers. Watch it with friends or someone you're romantic with. It will surely provoke thoughtful discussions afterward. Love it!