'Does it come with aromatherapy?' by Kara
Monday, August 7, 2006 at 7:14 AM

So the managing editor is out of town this week, which pretty much makes me the editorial department. (Well, besides my buddy who works from home.) Tiny internet companies are fun that way.

Okay, went and saw The Night Listener yesterday. Alone ... it's actually the first time I've been to a movie alone, but at this point it's so hard to plan movie outings that if I want to see something early on, might as well do it myself. Although I wouldn't mind seeing this one again.

Okay, obligatory review time.

Scenario first: Robin Williams plays Gabriel Noone, who's a late-night radio personality who reads his own stories on the air. Recent break-up with his boyfriend (more on this later) depresses him, so an associate hands him a book they're planning on publishing -- the cheery memoirs of a 14-year-old boy who's been sexually abused and has contracted AIDS.

The two -- Gabriel and 'Pete Logand' (he's allegedly using a pseudonym so his mum can't find him) start up a phone friendship, and Gabriel also chats with Pete's foster mother, Donna. The ex begins to expect that Pete doesn't exist and Donna's just hungry for attention, which moves Gabriel to go find out for himself. Wacky Creepy hijinks ensue, which I won't even touch on because who knows what people consider spoilers anymore.

Really not the movie I was expecting it to be ... although, in retrospect, I'm really not entirely sure what I was expecting. I'm big on movies dealing with psychological creepiness, and the fact that this is apparently based on true events makes it even weirder. Really sort of brings to the forefront the question of what sort of rights you gain if you're the one being screwed with (can you go investigate on your own, or does that make you the creepy one?). It warrants a second viewing, just because I'm that interested in the character.

Said I'd address the 'boyfriend' thing. Now, this movie is rated R. I'm of the opinion that if you knowingly go see anything above PG, you're pretty much agreeing to possibly being shocked or upset by something. (Not so much 'Shut up and like it' as 'It's your own fault.') So if you find out that the main character is gay and that doesn't sit well with you ... it's your own fault.

I bring this up because a gentleman in the back of the theatre made some very vocal complaints concerning the fact that Gabriel was of this persuasion. Upon seeing Jess (the ex) moving out and hearing 'boyfriend' references, this viewer suddenly yelled, 'Oh my God, he's gay?????' (Perhaps, to him, the character didn't 'look' it? I don't know ... I suppose Gabriel doesn't fit the exciting and controversial homosexual stereotype Hollywood likes to toy with normally.) Later, when Jess and Gabriel hug each other in a very emotional scene, looking like they're about to kiss, the man busted out in loud, nervous laughter ... and when they did kiss (sort of a quick obligatory one) later in the movie, he shouted, 'Oh, gimme a break!!!!'

What really bothers me is that, if this guy chooses to be loud about things that offend him, where was he during the scenes depicting the scenes of paedophilia described in Pete's book? Or (highlight for spoiler) the scene where Donna tries to pull Gabriel out in front of a moving truck? I personally find those things a lot more disturbing than the main character being gay. But hell, even if that sort of thing does offend you, why is it so important that your fellow moviegoers know?

All this said, I'm so glad I don't run Google ads on here, because it searches key words to run its ads, and I have no idea what it would have turned up for all the things I've mentioned.

If you have been, just let it ring.