Indie Gems: I Am Michael

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Changes

Michael Glatze (James Franco) was a gay activist who wrote for a popular magazine in San Francisco before moving with his boyfriend, Bennett (Zachary Quinto) to Halifax. While living there, he has a health scare - which turns out to be nothing more than panic attacks but that is enough for Michael to find God and denounce the fact that he's gay. 

I didn't know who Michael Glatze was until this film popped into my recommendations on Netflix. Going from gay activist to an anti gay pastor is a big deal. So I held off on reading more about him until after I watched this. It made me realize how incredibly naive I can be because I went into this 100% expecting him to go back to the way he was at the beginning of the film. He doesn't. 

I'm a fan of James Franco. I know he's pretty weird but I've always admired his talent on screen. He's very good hear, but it's Quinto that steals the show. All of the pain on Bennett's face is evident with Michael's betrayal. Emma Roberts also receives top billing on this as she eventually becomes Michael's fiance, but she doesn't actually appear the final 20 minutes of the film. She's not given much to do at all.

The film is surprisingly fair on how it treats Glatze. It could've easily demonized him, and that would've been earned for the things he's said. By the end of the film, I certainly didn't believe this version of him was being genuine. My biggest complaint is I kept waiting to hear another side to the sexuality vs religion argument and this film wasn't the place for it. 

Grade: B

Watched on: Netflix DVD

Memorable Quote: "Why are you calling me?" - Bennett (Zachary Quinto)

Comments

  1. AnonymousMay 19, 2017 at 3:49 PM

    This played at some festival and I didn't catch it and haven't seen it anywhere since, didn't even know it was available. I'd like to track it down.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Brittani BurnhamMay 20, 2017 at 7:57 AM

    I didn't realize it had came out either until it was suggested to me on Netflix.

    ReplyDelete
  3. GetterMay 20, 2017 at 4:16 PM

    I like Franco too.. but you know what? I'm a little tired of sad gay movies.. based on real life or not.. it's like gay movies only end up crushing me and I don't like it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 21, 2017 at 8:46 AM

      I think it's more frustrating than sad because you just don't buy that this guy "changed."

      Delete
  4. AnonymousMay 22, 2017 at 8:16 PM

    I've heard Glatze left his church and now is living in San Francisco as a bisexual man and getting high on Adderall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamMay 23, 2017 at 6:36 AM

      I suppose that's truer than what he did at this point in time? What a mess.

      Delete

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