In “Straight Up,” a comedy from the writer-director James Sweeney, the 20-something Todd (Sweeney) develops a theory: Maybe he isn’t gay, as he has always thought. Maybe others’ presumptions of his gayness became a self-fulfilling prophecy.
His friends scoff at the idea that he might be attracted to women. His therapist (Tracie Thoms) appears vaguely skeptical. But Todd gets to test the notion when he encounters Rory (Katie Findlay), an aspiring actress. They hit it off with the sort of effortless, hours-spanning conversation that could only happen with soul mates (or, you know, really good friends).
Todd warns Rory that people tend to assume he’s gay; she has suspicions of her own. But they otherwise get along wonderfully. And so “Straight Up” becomes the story of a (probably) gay man and a straight woman who try to have something like a romantic relationship.
“Straight Up” seems to recognize that such a setup is riper for tragedy than farce. The pair attend a costume party dressed as Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor’s characters from “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” — unaware that the couple’s sexual standoff in the original play stemmed from the husband’s repressed homosexuality.
Sweeney and Findlay are both likable actors, and a description of “Straight Up” — to say nothing of its title — makes it sound more high-concept than it is. But the movie comes across as a rush of bouncy one-liners and arch formal conceits. You never quite buy Todd and Rory as flesh-and-blood people who could have conversations that don’t sound rehearsed.
Straight Up
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 35 minutes.
Source: Movies - nytimes.com
