VOD Review - The Wishmakers

Matt Achine (left), Justin Martindale
Ari Sorrentino (right) in "The Wishmakers"

There isn't much of a plot to this movie. There isn't one at all really, but writer-director David Grotell infuses the film with such earnestness, charm and humor that a lack of plot can be forgiven, as he juggles the lives of three, young, gay men.

Ari Sorrentino stars as Ben, an aspiring dancer who moves to West Hollywood from Ohio. He comes from a conservative Jewish family. He used to date girls but now he's trying to date men. He's not having the best of luck. He befriends a fellow dancer named Craig, played by Scott Hislop, who helps him to choreograph a two-man ballet piece. Little does Ben know that Craig has an outlook that's more in step with his than he realizes.

Justin Martindale co-stars as Jason, a stand-up comic who gets fired from his office job and tries to aide Ben with his dating. Yet, he only offers pragmatic and somewhat cynical advice that mainly works to getting sex and nothing else. Jason is mostly concerned with advancing his career and becoming famous. He divines through hooking up with David Geffen, a powerful Hollywood producer who is also gay. Things change when he meets Dan, played by Gregory Zarian, a handsome actor who is a former alcoholic.

Matt Achine co-stars as Corey, the eccentric friend of Ben and Jason. He dresses up in gender-bending outfits and costumes often. He does his own version of Tootsie in order to get a job as an assistant to an aging actress, a uber-diva named Mary Reynolds, played by Sally Kirkland.

Drew Droege plays Jake, the high-pitched and manic boss of Jason who may or may not have a substance problem. Michael E.R. Walker (Eating Out: All You Can Eat) plays Seth, one of Ben's potential boyfriends who is a party boy with commitment issues. Both Droege and Walker give comedic performances and are funny, as this entire movie is.

There aren't a lot of comedic set pieces. There is instead slightly, awkward, situational humor that approaches the kind in Curb Your Enthusiasm and Louie. It's a lot quieter and muted. The writing has a lot of interesting groundwork and is very conversational.

The movie started making the film festival rounds in 2011. It was released on DVD in March 2013. It's currently available to stream on Netflix Watch Instant.

Four Stars out of Five.
Not Rated but recommended for mature audiences.
Running Time: 1 hr. and 27 mins.