Any Day Now

I watched the movie because I admire the work of Alan Cumming, and yes, he was (as always) brilliant as the singer---think Garbo doing Camille but with a five o'clock shadow. He is so completely lovable from moment one that his relationship with the lawyer is 100% believable.

What bothers me about the film is not anything contained within the film. I loved that it did not have the ending that Hollywood has lead us to expect such films to have. I loved that it was realistic. I loved that it celebrated love.

What I am curious about is why is this a "little" film? Given the timeliness of its subject matter, I would have expected it to receive more mainstream attention. Is mainstream American film criticism still uneasy at the thought of a gay couple raising a kid? Why don't we have any openly gay leading actors in the U.S.? What is wrong with our country? Once upon a time, back in the 70s when I was growing up, everyone was "bi", regardless of who you slept with. How did we end up going back in time?

I was lucky enough to see this film while I was on holiday in Arizona and attended some screenings at The Sedona Film Festival. I didn't know anything about the film but have always been a fan of Cumming so chose this as one of the films to see. I wasn't disappointed, in fact I think it's fair to say this film completely blew me away and I left the cinema a bit of an emotional wreck! Some of the plot points at times may feel a bit rushed or contrived but if you just go with it you can enjoy a really beautiful, moving human drama. That's exactly what I chose to do and moved I was! The performances from all the cast are top notch, but Alan Cumming really is outstanding. I've never seen him better. It's really nicely shot and scored. The costumes and hair (!)are bang on period and the film flows seamlessly from beginning to the shocking end, which I had not anticipated and left me reeling! Would I recommend this film, in a word YES!

Travis Fine's remarkable film "Any Day Now" deals with the very thorny issue of gay parenting or more specifically, gay adoption. Alan Cumming, (superb), is the drag artist who feels responsible for the mentally handicapped child next door, (a terrific Issac Leyva), after his mother is picked up by the vice squad and who decides to do something about it by legally adopting the child himself with the help of his new lover who just happens to be a lawyer, (a very good Garret Dillahunt). It's the kind of topic the movies tends to shy away from and it has all the potential for mawkishness but Fine manages to steer clear of sentimentality; the result is both intelligent and very moving, yet not without a degree of humour. Of course, it also deals with issues that many will find grim and distressing and it proves to be a challenging watch. This is one gay-themed film that lays it very much on the line and is all the more powerful for it. In an age when so many polemical films are cut and dried and conventionally on the side of the angels here is one that is content to bleed like an open wound. You won't forget it in a hurry.

I would start by saying that Alan Cumming did an excellent job in depicting the character "Rudy" in the movie . The story line was warm and new but the only downside to the movie is that the movie is set in the late 70s but dressing and art work suggest otherwise. Some characters in the movie were well defined but some were quite vague.The camera work was OK, nothing too special.The movie completely deserves a better rating than it has right now. Overall a very entertaining and touching movie. I would not regret watching the movie twice. PS: Make sure you carry a tissue paper with you. You might drop a tear or two while watching the movie.

I saw this movie on a whim at the Palm Springs Film Fest and I feel like I left the theater a different person. I loved this story in all its heartbreaking glory. Alan Cumming's performance was wonderful and raw and at times I felt as enraged, as hopeful, as passionate and as proud as he did. I experienced so many emotions during the film that I was spent afterward, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I shed many tears during and after the movie.

I didn't know what to expect going in and I am so glad I picked this film. I could say more, but I don't want to spoil anything for the next person. Love, love, love - thank you Travis Fine.