Ariztical Entertainment
has set a long lead for the DVD debut (Mar. 18) of director Rodney Evans’ film
adaptation of Ken Urban’s stage play, The Happy Sad.
It is a smart move for a
smart film that got its launch early last summer at the Frameline Film Festival
and was then followed by a series of limited one-off theatrical engagements
around the country … which is not all that uncommon for independently-produced
films of this ilk. You make it, you
live it … and you get out and work it.
Ariztical is taking plenty of time to bang the promotional drums and
“work it.”
The ARR works out to a
leisurely 214 days and reported box office receipts thus far tally $8,395.
Filmmaker Rodney Evans has
delivered an interesting romantic-drama about the interaction of two seemingly
unrelated New York City couples — upwardly -mobile at that — who find, through
the decisions they make, unexpected complications entering their staid little
worlds.
What makes Evans approach
to the subject even more compelling is that he not only knows his craft from
the POV of the hands-on production side of it, but he also teaches the art as a
professor with the Department of Film and Media Arts at Temple University. He knows his stuff and it shows.
Aaron (Charlie Barnett)
and Marcus (Leroy McClain) have been in a relationship for going on six
years. Now this should be a big red
flag for just how stable that relationship is when suddenly Aaron suggests that
they “explore” other opportunities, but still be a couple. How does that work?
Sure enough, Marcus takes
his partner up on that not so little suggestion and hooks up with Stan (Cameron
Scoggins) for an afternoon encounter.
Now Stan — who we discover swings both ways — is actually dating a young
woman named Annie (Sorel Carradine), who, as it turns out is frustrated to no
end with where their relationship is going.
She turns to her friend
Mandy (Maria Dizzia) for a little advice and ends up being seduced by her
friend. Throw in a blind date with a
reality show producer named Dave (Michael Nathanson) and even Bob and Carol and
Ted and Alice couldn’t keep up with all of the assorted romantic encounters.
When Aaron discovers that
Marcus has been “cheating” on him (hello, wasn’t it Aaron who started this all
in the first place?) all hell breaks loose.
So how does this all work
out … unless you are lucky enough to catch a screening of the film you will
just have to wait until the Ariztical Entertainment DVD streets on Mar.
18. Love, sex and relationships, that’s
what The
Happy Sad is all about.
To download this week's
complete edition of the DVD and Blu-ray Release Report: DVD & Blu-ray Release Report
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