Review of Any Day Now (2012) by Jj K — 11 Dec 2012

ANY DAY NOW, by Travis Fine.

How often do we see a love triangle between an attorney, a drag queen and a boy with Downâ(TM)s Syndrome? Itâ(TM)s not exactly a triangle, however, since the love between these three is a strong bond transcending boundaries, social norms, and the comfort zones of everyone around them. The catalyst in this story is Rudy, a broke and ageing drag queen who lives in the moment, no holds barred and no filters whatsoever, with his heart on his sleeve and Berry Blush gloss on his lips. What may sound like a loser, however, is really the most powerful character in the story, a man who refuses to compromise on any level, who follows the path of love into unknown territory and has the courage to move ahead despite his own fears and insecurities. It is this courage to which Paul is drawn, a divorced attorney adrift and indecisive in his own life. Shortly after he becomes involved with Rudy (like getting swept up in a force of nature) he finds himself with an instant family which includes Marco, a fourteen year old boy with Downâ(TM)s Syndrome. Marco is the neglected son of Rudyâ(TM)s neighbor, andâ"true to his natureâ"Rudy rescues the boy when his junkie mother is incarcerated. Rudy, a warrior of love who has nothing to lose, has no qualms about taking in the handicapped boy, with or without the blessing of the law. Paul, however, has a lot to lose, and he shows his own courage in going to the mat to fight for custody. Throughout the whole story is the otherworldly calm and Zen-like peace of the boy Marco, who acts as an anchor for volatile Rudy and cautious Paul. They both understand that the gifts he brings them far outweigh the consequences of swimming upstream in a society of bigotry, fear and paranoia, and despite the bittersweet ending, theyâ(TM)ve planted the seeds of social change.