Review of Were the World Mine (2008) by Sal M — 24 Nov 2008

Undeniably charming, this movie about a boy's fantasy of love becoming reality, and a modern interpretation of Midsummer Night's Dream, is a real "feel good" kind of flick, but with more depth than one usually associates with that sort of classification.

Starting with the cast, Tanner Cohen is outstanding as the loveable Timothy, delivering a performance as powerful as his impressive vocals. Equally impressive was Judy McLane who surprises as Timothy's mother who you can't help but feel for, even after her initial and somewhat off putting introduction. The rest of the cast are all very strong as well, and not to be forgotten Christian Stolte as the Rugby Coach is hilarious!

Now I've gotta say, Midsummer Night's Dream set as a modern day gay school boy romance musical is already enough to draw you in, but then to take the lines of the play to comprise the lyrics of each song makes the idea even more endearing. What's more, while the movie does throw in some obvious political leanings the movie doesn't try to tackle big topics and, thankfully, spends its time focussed on the characters and the topics that are more on the personal level like friendship and love and acceptance. The simple idea of a gay high school boy fantasizing about the jock at school, using magic to make him fall in love with him and the whole town become gay, and at the end live happily ever after? It's campy sure but how refreshing to have something so light hearted, yet at the same time in no way shallow.

And of course, who wouldn't love the soundtrack this movie has. Wow the songs are outstanding, and as I previously said the use of Midsummer lines as lyrics is just damn cool. My only complaint is that I wish there was more!

This being my first exposure to Thomas Gustafson has me on his side. The film can be a bit unbalanced, blurring the line between fantasy and reality to the point that it's hard to tell which is which and occasionally dipping too far into one or the other, BUT at the end of the day the film delivers and entertains and leave the audience feeling good. And hopefully, amidst it's fluffy fun could open a few eyes as well.