The Curiosity of Chance

Easily the best thing about "The Curiosity Of Chance" is that the Devo song "That's Good" accompanies the opening credits.

The rest of the film is really quite lame, barely entertaining, and highly forgettable.

The screenplay is far too apparently contrived and self-consciously striving to appear witty - and it is delivered with a distinct lack of passion or conviction.

I don't like that the main protagonist is a cruel smart-arsed vile little body fascist and yet he's presented as someone whom we ought to feel empathy for as he struggles for non-judgmental acceptance.

Chock full of tired gay movie clichés, there is particularly unforgivable opportunistic and abusive stereotyping in the portrayal of the school principal - who is targeted relentlessly for our supposed amusement as an overweight woman with no self-awareness of her body odour problem.

Noticeably placed eye candy in the form of actor Brett Chukermen is diminished by the fact that Brett doesn't move outside of the range of facial expressions which are almost trademarked "Jake Gyllenhaal".

I really can't see any reason to recommend this film to anyone - not even the Devo intro saves it.

Very funny feel-good film. Follows a gay young man's experience of life in high school and the various problems that comes with adolescence and being a transfer student. Contains bullying, drag and lots of comedy. Chance Marquis is a new transfer student at Brickland High. As well as becoming the school's bully no.1 target, he strives to find his identity through visiting a gay drag club and crushing on his next door neighbour. After numerous mishaps Chance realises that he must stick to his own motto : expressing one's individualism, even if it means completely stepping out of his comfort zone. I found this film brilliant :) I love Chance's cocky attitude and eccentric personality; it adds life to the film. Chance's friends add humour to the film and the setting is perfect. Needless to say the acting is sublime.

I will preface this comment with the fact that this was an indie film and low budget.

That being said, bravo. I was amazed how close the characters in the movie to the aspects of mine, and probably every gay man's, life. Tad and Brett borough the characters to life with such a brilliant portrayal of the outcast and the in-crowder stepping out. I will admit there were a couple times the dialog seemed a bit interesting and/or almost forced, but overall, i would recommend this movie to anyone. The gay aspect is not shoved in your face, so anyone who enjoys teen comedies can enjoy this.

OK, well a lot of people seem to dislike this film, but I enjoyed it quite a bit? :)

Is it dull at some moments? Yes. Is it often clichéd? Most definitely.

However, as a low budget foreign film, I think it accomplished more than most overpriced American films! In fact, if you want to watch an LGBT film, you have to look overseas as American cinema doesn't even really touch the topic (at least not that often, unless it's a hollow stereotypical gay character).

What I liked about this film? I simply enjoyed the sarcasm and just soaked in all the "clicheness"! It was very colorful and I was able to connect with the characters at some level. Not exactly high art cinematography, but let's face it: most films we watch for entertainment aren't (well, at least for me).

If you like cute stupid films like Legally Blonde, Clueless, etc...I think you might enjoy this film?

It is important to note:

Considering its budget, it's not bad.

At the beginning, it was not well established that it is in Europe, in an American-style, English- immersion high school, which is not uncommon for cities with larger U.S. military bases nearby. They are free to U.S. military dependents and any remaining availability is open to local citizens wishing greater U.S. and/or English language exposure.

Also, being in Europe, the drinking age in most places is 16, and it is why seeing high school students in clubs that serve alcohol isn't too unusual. Unlike the U.S., by high school, a student in Europe is expected to be a responsible adult, and are given the rights of an adult such as drive, drink and legal sex.

"The Curiosity of Chance" is a good movie for young (questioning) Gays, from about 12 to 18. The lower ratings given here are from egocentric wannabe critics with an inability to see a movie through the eyes of its intended audience. It's sad these home critics cannot remember the struggles of being a Gay teen. This movie gives very good advice, albeit in an unsophisticated way… but, it's a teen movie. Other good Gay teen movies are…

"Beautiful Thing" (1996), "Edge of Seventeen" (1998), "L.I.E." (2001), "Cowboys & Angels" (2003), "Dream Boy" (2008), "Were The World Mine" (2008), "Noordzee (North Sea) Texas" (2011), "Struck by Lightning" (2012)

For our Gay Mormon, older teen, brothers, see "Latter Days" (2003) and "The Falls" (2012)