The raunchy fun of gay culture and male eye candy is back in the fifth installment of the "Eating Out" series, "The Open Weekend". And in its eighty-minute run, it is better than its predecessor, "Drama Camp".
This time around there are a drove of beautiful, washboard hard bodies (the reason many--if not all--of us tune in to ogle) and cheesy one-liners. However, there are a few minor faults: (1), the absence of Garikayl Mutambirwa's character, Jason. His handsome face and droll, deadpan delivery are genuinely missed in this outing. (2), Aunt Helen (Mink Stole), in her albeit small scene (the fault) manages to sneak in a few uncomfortable giggles (good times). And (3), the fact that Rebekah Kochan's "Tiffani" returns with a cameo appearance--shovel in hand--is not enough airtime for our favorite "fag hag."
But Penny, played by the always-funny Lilach Mutambirwa, is another reason why the movie works. She brings a quirky, laugh-out-loud comedy to her role--and it is fun to watch as she and Lilly fight over the only possible straight man at the resort, Luis (Alvaro Orlando). But later, when the girls discover why Luis only flirts with the opposite sex and does not jump into bed with them on spot, everyone, including the audience, gets a good belly laugh. His secret is, to put it mildly, science fiction peculiarity.
But amid the brainless humor, male frontal nudity, and continual trysts, there is an underlining message buried beneath all of that superficiality: in the end, love and monogamy trumps one-night stands and promiscuity.
The Open Weekend talks of marriage and commitment--and the movie, thank goodness, ends on a high note for hopefuls Casey (Daniel Skelton) and Zack (Chris Salvatore).
The newest Eating Out is an entertaining, breezy, racy trip--and definitely worth a look.
T.B. Grant
3/20/12