User reviews

I had been wanting to see this movie since I first heard it was being made. Being a huge Stevie Nicks fan, I figured there'd be something in this movie for me. I even remember when they were inviting extras to come to New York City to be in the club for filming (of course I couldn't go at the time). At any rate, this DVD is actually pretty good. I wasn't really sure how I'd like it. It does kinda remind me of my younger days of trying to find some kind of acceptance in a world full of morons. I'm from the West Virginia/Ohio area, so I could relate to the idiots that were in this movie who were so clueless that you just wanna smack the hell out of them. I was bummed that they couldn't get the rights to use Stevie's music for this movie...I think that would have made a slight difference. But with or without her music, I thought the movie was really good. I wasn't so crazy about Karen Black's character, but that's just my opinion. I think the two main characters tho, Gypsy and Clive, gave a really good performance in this. Good acting.

When the lead character, 18-year-old goth boy Clive, comments that he doesn't identify with gay people because he could care less about Judy Garland and Stonewall--ouch!

I'm of the gay generation that reveres Stonewall and the gay liberation movement. We were the guys who took the lumps so that kids like Clive could say exactly that--that Stonewall is irrelevant to THEIR gay lives.

Nevertheless, I liked this movie; it's a companion piece to the director's excellent Edge of Seventeen. It's a combination road picture and coming of age story. Sure, it's flawed, but if you're like me you'd rather watched a flawed movie with gay content than a flawed movie without any. For someone my age, there were a lot of years where we didn't have access to ANY gay content.

I agree with another reviewer here that if some of the deleted material had been left in it would have helped the story line. Also, I was a little uncertain about the era until the internet crept into one scene.

The lead actors are quite good. Yaoi! Kett Turton is a cute anime boy come to life--a delectable goth/emo boy who's totally provocative and totally clueless about it. I couldn't help thinking about the straight reviewers here who commented about fast forwarding through the sex scene. I can well understand it. Turton is prettier than most girls and he makes effeminacy innocent AND sexy, something that surely could disturb some straight guys. My advice to them: have a cocktail and run that scene again.

AND--this movie's got Karen Black, that legendary train wreck you can't take your eyes off of.

I have been looking forward to seeing this film for some time. I had read an interview with the director and couldn't help but be drawn to it. Before I begin, let me make the following statements:

1. I grew up in a small town in Indiana. 2. I have always enjoyed the music and culture of goth, but have never been a "part of the lifestyle" the way in which either Clive nor the mean NY goths were portrayed. I never immersed myself in it, never really wanted to. 3. I live in a major city now, one with an established goth underworld, one that I do take part in, from time to time. I still enjoy it to this day, though I am a bit long in the tooth for vinyl and leather.

Having made those disclaimers, I encourage anyone who takes a look at this in a video store but isn't sure that it is good, to pick it up, take it home, and get an excellent look at what it means to be young and outcast in a community that just doesn't understand you, nor cares to try. This film is a very strong and unforgiving look at the lives of two very realistic characters and their attempts to find somewhere they can be happy.

It is wonderfully acted by Sara Rue (whom I never saw as a dramatic actress or solid romantic lead until this film) with strong performances from John Doe and Kett Turton. Doe is an underrated actor and is perfectly used in this film. Turton's performance is either intentionally brilliant, or unconsciously precise. Clive IS acting when in his gear, an Turton brings forth an awkwardness in those scenes. When Clive's guard is down (the bathroom scene, and in the deleted scene "the accident") Turton is more comfortable in the role. I haven't seen the majority of his body of work, I will make a concerted effort now to do so.

There is a lot of commenting on Sara's appearance in this film. I must admit that I found her stunningly beautiful in this movie. I have always found her to be attractive and perhaps one reason is that she doesn't look like every other actress. But in this film it has more to do with Gypsy's attitude and style. I sincerely hope that we see Sara cast more as a main character and not just as a supporting role. She has the talent and skill to carry off most any role, and it is past time that members of the entertainment industry recognize that a woman with more than the optimum weight can still be quite appealing to the eye.

I don't know if the director, Mr Stepens, intends to continue making films, but I do hope he continues. I would like to see what other work might come from what I see to be a promising director. Likewise the other writer credited Mr Kaltenecker. This film works because of all the pieces, and writers never get the credit they deserve. Please bring us more, gentlemen. I will be looking for it, at least.

This type of film needs as much support as possible. It is not going to change the way LA or New York do business, but whoever said those are the only places for movies to come from.

OK I'll be honest. I watched this because it had Sara Rue topless in it but I was pleasantly surprised at how good this actually was. 2 friends go on a journey and find out who they are along the way. This is well worth the watch.

I stumbled upon the 2001 movie "Gypsy 83" by sheer random chance here in 2021. And since it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, of course I picked it up and gave it a shot.

And rightfully so, because "Gypsy 83" turned out to be a rather entertaining movie. I must admit that I hadn't expected it to be something in this magnitude. Writers Todd Stephens and Tim Kaltenecker definitely nailed it right on the head with the story they concocted for this movie.

The storyline is an emotional journey of growth, friendship, transitioning into adulthood, coming to terms with loss and the past, and of not being ashamed of who you are. I am sure that there are many more levels to the movie, but these are the main focus points I think. And writers Todd Stephens and Tim Kaltenecker most certainly wrote this one well.

Not only was the storyline a moving and emotional one, but the characters in the movie were also amazingly detailed and fleshed out. So writers Todd Stephens and Tim Kaltenecker came up with very real characters with dimensions, qualities, quirks, etc. And you immediately take a liking to the characters and bond with them. Thumbs up to the writers on that accomplishment.

But a movie with a great script and story is only so much without having a proper casted selected of actors and actresses to perform in the movie. And I must say that "Gypsy 83" definitely had a great ensemble of actors and actresses. Especially Sara Rue (playing Gypsy) and Birkett Turton (playing Clive), the two lead performers, they really carried the movie phenomenally well and put on very realistic and emotional performances. And it was a blast to see legendary Karen Black in the movie, just a shame she didn't have a larger role.

"Gypsy 83" was a movie that definitely entertained me genuinely, and it was a rather nice surprise of a movie - one that I am very happy that I sat down to watch.

If you haven't already seen "Gypsy 83", and if you get the chance to do so, I recommend that you spend the time to watch it, because this was a good and wholesome movie.

My rating of "Gypsy 83" lands on a seven out of ten stars.

Gypsy (Sara Rue) is a 20-something girl working a dead-end job in an Ohio suburb, where she lives with her clueless but loving father (John Doe, of seminal punk band X). Her best friend, Clive (Kett Turton), is a creative gothy teen in the process of coming-out. They share the bond of having lost their mothers as young children, having replaced them in their minds with everyone's favorite fabulous surrogate godmother: Stevie Nicks! When they find out about NYC's "Night of 1,000 Stevies" they decide to put their lives on hold, skip town, and road-trip it so Gypsy can compete in the karaoke contest and maybe meet her musician mother.

The trailer for this movie was lame, and I'll admit I only rented it because I'm a Stevie fan and I always wanted to check out Night of 1000 Stevies. As I watched the opening scene (which was used in the trailer), I was expecting a silly popcorn flick. It quickly became evident that this was not a typical "coming of age" movie. In fact, "Gypsy 83" ended up being the most original, heartfelt, and well-scripted coming-of-age movies since 1997's "All Over Me."

The characterization is nothing short of brilliant. This is one of those rare films that makes you really fall in love with the characters, despite their shortcomings. Gypsy and Clive are complex characters and far from being the archetypes usually found in this genre. The story revolves partly around their relationship, and it is an honest portrayal of a "straight-girl/gay-boy" relationship that goes beyond the sexist and homophobic notion of the "faghag." On their trip, they bump into a handful of colorful characters that are catalysts for the personal growth of the leads. These include a sexy Amish runaway (Anson Scoville), a former wannabe-pop-singer turned small-town karaoke chanteuse (the fabulously strange Karen Black), and an RV full of obnoxious hazing frat boys.

The writing is clever and original. Gypsy's tough-as-nails comebacks ("try being a freak in the real world, you catty c*nts!" to a bunch of gay goth boys in NYC) make her an admirable character that is easy to root for. While the "gothness" of the movie seems off-putting at first, it is actually used in a clever and unique way. Instead of using it to be scary or to stand-out (a la The "Craft"), this movie uses it to illustrate the personal changes the characters undergo. There are a couple scenes that are a bit absurd, such as when they camp out at a rest stop, light a bunch of candles, and drink absinthe. But this is forgiven as it is a set-up for two very sensitive and well-written scenes.

Music is also a key element used to illustrate Gypsy's coming-of-age. In the beginning of the movie, we see her singing a song from her parents' old band. We later learn that Gypsy's mother, Velvet, taught her to play and sing Stevie Nicks songs when she was a little girl. The soundtrack is killer. There is little Stevie music. Likely due to copyright issues, all we get are remixes and karaoke renditions of "Talk to Me." There are classic songs by The Cure, a sexy siren song sung by Karen Black, and an achingly gorgeous original by Sara Rue (who rather sounds like a young Stevie but has a voice all her own).

Like the equally brilliant "All Over Me" before it, the lead characters face brutal situations, as well as amazingly happy situations. While not as bleak as that movie, "Gypsy 83" is a beautiful film about accepting and loving yourself and coming to terms with tragic events from your past. Sometimes cheesy but never cliché, this is not a condescending coming-of-age film. And hey, any movie that uses "twirling like Stevie" as a metaphor is brilliant indeed! My Rating: 10/10.

This movie shows great effort of screen-thinking, but fails to satisfy the viewer in the end. What happened to Gypsy? What happened to Clive? What happened to Troy? What was the purpose of the lounge singer? There is definitely many aspects that could have been played up and further explained, but the director did maintain his focus on Gypsy. I wish someone would have directly came out and stated why Gypsy identified herself as 'Gypsy 83' (for all of us who figured it out - 83 is for 1983 when Gypsy's mother left her). Also, why did Gypsy's father keep the poems from her all those years? If my dad did that to me, I would surely never return home either.

Overall it was interesting. If you're tired of seeing the same old - you should try to watch and understand something you don't.

This movie is REALLY cute. It's sort of a coming-of-age film which covers love, loss and sexuality. I wasn't expecting much of this movie but was pleasantly surprised. It's been awhile since I've seen a movie like this, it's a refreshingly off beat, funny, romantic drama. It was unpredictable and I actually cared about the characters (a big complaint for me with today's dramas is that the characters are unlikable or uninteresting, not the case here). Kett Turton's character Clive really steals your heart. I recommend watching the deleted scenes as they showcase more of Clive's back-story and Kett's acting skills. The characters and their relationships were very realistic, which to me is vital in movies. I could relate with their behavior in their situation, unlike a lot of young-adult characters, they didn't make decisions ridiculous and stupid enough to make me hate them (the actions of teens in main-stream films such as How To Deal and the likes are so stupid they anger me if I am ever forced to watch them). For those who are interested in this movie I also highly recommend Saved! also with Kett Turton, plus Mcauly Culkin and Jena Malone.

I am not a movie critic or film buff. I watch for enjoyment. The acting is very good. The script, editing, sound mixing, and directing of this film was not. Too much background noise, words said that could not possible come from the characters mouth, unbelievable scenes cropping up from nowhere.

A young man running away from his Amish family, who doesn't know how to fill a tank with gas, when ineptly shown how says "awesome". This is just one of many instances in a script that screams AMATEUR writing.

I spent as much time trying to focus out from the poor production quality as I did watching the actual film.

I really enjoyed this movie. The two main characters had incredible chemistry and I especially loved the story itself. The acting is in top form, all the actors did a wonderful job bringing a realness to their character.

I feel Stevie's management made a big mistake by not allowing ANY of her songs in the film. It would've added a little bit more to this otherwise perfect tale.

I bought the DVD yesterday and watched the extra features, I especially loved the "Battle of the Stevies" (although, there is no audio), it brought back memories when I went to "The Night of 1000 Stevies" several years ago. 10/10

Two misfits from modern-day Ohio (25-year old Gypsy, who longs to be a songwriter but works at the Foto Hut, and Clive, only 18 but into Goth bands and Edward Scissorhands outfits) drive to New York City to find fame in the entertainment world. However, Gypsy has another reason for taking the trip: to locate the mother who ran out on her and her dad years ago. Flimsy, low-budget movie built on the perception that audiences will be able to identify with these kids but, as played by Sara Rue and Kett Turton, they are twin terribles, selfish people who take a journey of self-discovery, only to realize they are indeed selfish. The sloppy continuity and sketchy narrative aside, the movie tries to work in romantic complications and character-driven matters of the heart, but Rue (who looks like she's scowling even when she's smiling) approaches every scene the same way, with abject impatience. Turton, playing gay, continually rolls his eyes and fingers his black lips, but there's no reason these two would be friends--they don't even like the same type of music. Karen Black gives it a momentary boost with an interesting supporting bit (and we get just enough of her before director Todd Stephens moves on), but even for a fluffball comedy-drama, "Gypsy 83" is full of problems--not the least of which is the fact Rue's character adores Stevie Nicks, yet the only song she seems to know is "Talk to Me", which Nicks did not write. The movie isn't poorly made, it has a few scenes that work, yet the overall lack of imagination (and budget) turns it into a catty throwaway. *1/2 from ****

I just rented and watched this movie after hearing about it online somewhere. It wasn't all that bad. I guess to fully appreciate this movie you have to be goth or at least open-minded to the goth lifestyle. The movie has a decent soundtrack which is all artists on Metropolis Records. As previously commented, beware of a rather disturbing and drawn out sex scene during the film, you may want to fast forward. The film was rather short, and added a lot of drawn-out filler scenes. I would say you should go and rent it if you are up for something just different than your everyday movies. If you have a closed mind and are not into alternative lifestyles, then this movie is probably not for you.

What an excellent surprise GYPSY 83 has been, especially because the first ten minutes did not begin promisingly. This is a road movie that traces the emotional growth of two unlikely best friends: A brazen and outspoken girl in her early 20's who calls herself "Gypsy 83" and her just-about-to come-out-of-the-closet male best friend named Clive, as they travel from Sandusky, Ohio to New York City to attend the NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STEVIES competition---a showcase dedicated to obsessed fans of musical superstar Stevie Nicks. Both are into the "goth" scene, and Gypsy has dreams of becoming a famous singer. The first thirty minutes of the film are deceptively low-key, and then, just as you're ready to predict the rest of the plot, Karen Black arrives as a washed-up Karaoke lounge lizard, and---WHAM!---we're off in a different direction. By the time that Gypsy and Clive pick-up an Amish hitchhiker in Pennsylvania, who's running away from home, and who may or may not be gay, you know you're in a for quite a treat. And when Gypsy and Clive finally do arrive in NYC, the last 40 minutes or so of the film are so relevatory, so heart-warming, and so well-acted... be prepared to marvel (perhaps cry) at it's finale. GYPSY 83 is a film for goth audiences, for male and female audiences of all ages, for gay and straight audiences, and for anyone who's ever been a fan of 70's music.

Who knew that Sandusky was another Oz? Not since Sherwood Anderson made Winesburg, Ohio THE place to be FROM, has Ohio seemed such an exotic backdrop! Todd Stephens once again shows us that being different in Sandusky may be the crucible out of which our most solid character values are forged. Sara Rue and Kett Turton--with a little help from Karen Black, John Doe, and Anson Scoville ( as the sexiest Amish man since Harrison Ford)--make being different ( Goth, fat, gay, whatever)seem like redemption.

A little road picture becomes, with good writing, direction, and superb performances, a modern-day Canterbury Tales, where the "Night of a 1000 Stevies" is as important a destination as St Thomas Becket's grave.

The journey is itself the important part of the story, and each character that Gypsy ( Rue) and Clive (Turton) meet helps to change them as they, in turn, alter the lives of those they meet.

Do not expect true love and happy endings because like all journeys of self discovery, nothing is perfect and believing, opposite from the adage, is finally seeing.

Rent this DVD; see this movie. Todd Stephens gets better and better. EDGE OF SEVENTEEN was far from being just another teen movie, just another GAY teen movie; so GYPSY 83, too, is far from being another coming of age film. I think it says that we are all essential: frat boys, rednecks, broken-down karaoke singers, Stevie Nicks impersonators, fat girls, hunky Amish farmers, Mary Kay sales queens, and Foto Hut booth girls.

Sandusky, Ohio IS Oz. Todd Stephens knows it.

Oh, and don't miss Karen Black's incredible sultry jazz singing. Why the hell isn't she on Broadway?

This movie is for people of all ages and all walks of life. It is about being young and having dreams and how to handle the disappointment when you are older and your dreams haven't happened. It is about young people seeing what happens to people whose dreams didn't work out and helping them to realize that they should go for their own dreams no matter what. We get to watch the young people in this film go for their dreams, then the disappointment they have to live with when their dreams hit a bump in the road of life. The acting is excellent, the movie drew me in to the story right from the start. It made me think a lot about life and the dreams I have had to leave behind as I got older. I liked this one so much that after watching the rental I decided to buy it for my DVD collection.

Don't listen to that naysayer above, she obviously has no taste.

If you want to see a great film that has gay themes, coming of age themes, Goth themes, or are a fan of the great Stevie Nicks, then this is a terrific movie to see.

While there are two scenes of "sex" it's nothing more than you would see if you watched Desperate Housewives.

Karen Black, heroine of the great 70's disaster films, also has a small role in the film, in which she's superb. It's worth seeing just for her alone.

Compared to some of the big budget buddy films out today this one is a rare diamond among the chaff. If you come across it at your local video store don't hesitate to rent it.

First of all, I'd just like to say that some of the above comments are completely ridiculous. Someone who is such a straight-edge heterosexual mans comments are nearly useless due to the aforementioned facts. And referring to people as "fat" girls is utterly rude.

Now as for the movie...I actually liked this one quite a bit. It may have gone a little over the top at some times with the drama but all in all it was a tear-jerker. Kett Turton pulls off a very good performance as the vaguely gender challenged Clive. I'd actually never seen Sara Rue in anything else besides "Less than Perfect" and was amazed that it was the same actress. No doubt she has talent. The soundtrack is really killer, and I suggest that you check that one out as well. While this may not be the best movie on the planet, it's always just a good watch.

First of all - I come from Poland and English language isn't my common language (so I'm sorry for all my grammar mistakes).

I just watched this movie because my favourite actress Sara Rue plays in it. I fell in love with this movie and with both main characters (Gypsy and Clive) - they are so amazing! I really loved the plot, acting, costumes, music and shoots. I recommend this movie to everyone! It really makes you feel happy and then sad after a minute - you really feel the characters and you support them.

You will cross your fingers for Gypsy. You will really like charming Clive.

You don't need gigantic budget, tons of props and radical scenario for making a really good movie.

I recommend this movie especially for all young rock and goth people!

I just had the pleasure of viewing this movie this afternoon at the Imageout Film Festival in Rochester, NY and I am practically speechless! This is the first "Goth" movie I have ever seen that has accurately portrayed the culture and one that I could actually identify with. Even with the harsh realities and prejudices displayed, this movie was amazingly funny and deliciously dreamy. Thank you Todd Stephens and all the brave actors and actresses who starred in this film!

This was a movie I watched only because I was curious how to pull of a goth road film. Nothing in the description beyond that appealed to me (I am a particular fan of road films).

On paper, this movie should have been irksome beginning to end. Heavily sentimental at times, Stevie Nicks obsessed girl with gay goth friend struggling with sexuality on their way to New York City...this is just not my world. I was pretty resolved not to like this from the opening scene on. It's kinda...chick-flicky. You know, it was kind of hard to see the screen over my uh, dudeness, if you get my drift. I was drinking Miller Lite, belching, and scratching myself at the time.

I attempted to scowl through the first half of the film, but the minute the damn Cure started playing ($#@& CURE! THEY ALWAYS DO THIS TO ME! I WILL SEE YOU IN HELL ROBERT SMITH! WHERE I WILL SING ALONG! AND CURSE YOU! BUT SING ALONG TOO! WHICH WILL BE MY ETERNAL TORMENT! $#@& CURE! I HATE YOU! YOUR MUSIC RULES! CAN I BE IN THE BAND PLEASE. ARGH.) I lost my resolve and just had to admit I really liked this, and really sympathized with the characters. I wanted to see them happy, wanted to see them get what they needed. Once characters win me over in a film, the game is over, and I'm sold. Largely on the strength of the alienation theme, but also, I have to say, in the way these actors nailed the parts, well...

I mean to say, I really liked this movie. I'd even call it excellent. I will probably watch it again.

In The Razor's Edge (Bill Murray version), there is an excellent line I have never forgotten, which is, "It's easy to be a holy man on top of a mountain," and somehow this film has makes an equally quotable counterpoint when Gypsy says, "Try being a freak in the real world" to a bunch of mocking, catty, obnoxious goths.

Anyway, uncle. This is a *really good* film and I have nothing bad to say about it. I still don't get goths but I get not fitting in. And it's a reminder that we ought to respect each others dreams, even if we don't fully understand them.

Also, I must remark on the leads here, Sara Rue and Kett Turton (as well as the always likable John Doe), who nailed these parts. They brought boatloads of charm to these self absorbed characters who, in the hands of less capable actors, could have wound up being whiny and irritating.