Starring Tanner Cohen, Wendy Robie, Judy McLane and Zelda Williams
Directed by Tom Gustafson
Music by Jessica Fogle; Lyrics by Cory Kruekeberg
There's a lot to celebrate this week, so let's start with this indie film for Pride Month and the end of the school year in many parts of the US. Were the World Mine is an adaptation of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, as seen through the eyes of a homosexual teenager whose attempt to use a bit of magic to be accepted in his town causes some big problems. How big, you ask? Let's start with Timothy (Cohen) at the exclusive boys' school he attends and find out why he wanted to do this...
The Story: Timothy feels like an outcast wherever he goes. He has a crush on Jonathan (Nathaniel David Becker), the captain of the rugby team, but the rest of the team and its macho jock Coach Driskill (Christian Stolte) make fun of him. His mother Donna (McLane) doesn't know what to make of his coming out and is still reeling from her husband's abandoning them. She's desperately trying to make good selling cosmetics with flighty Nora Bellinger (Jill Larson), who fires her after she discovers her son's sexuality. His only real friends are guitar-playing Frankie (Williams) and her buddy Max (Ricky Goldman).
Timothy gets a shot of empowerment when he's chosen to play Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream by English and drama teacher Ms. Tebbit (Robie). It inspires him to create a flower that'll make whomever smells it fall in love with whichever person of the same sex they saw last. He wants the citizens of the town to "walk a mile in his shoes" and know what it's like to be hated for whom you love. On one hand, Jonathan is now drawn to him, and he couldn't be happier. It's not working for everyone else, though. Suddenly, the show may be in jeopardy unless the effect can be reversed...and Ms. Tebbitt can convince Timothy that his actions may have done more harm than good.
The Song and Dance: Not many musicals can turn Midsummer Night's Dream into the story of one young man's coming of age. Cohen is charming, sweet, and even a bit creepy as the bullied youth who thinks he's found the perfect way to make the prejudiced townspeople understand what it's like to be different. I also like McLane as his confused and frustrated mother, Williams and Goldman as his very funny buddies, and Larson as the over-the-top make-up saleswoman who learns a lesson in acceptance when she rejects Donna because of her son...and then chases after Donna herself after she was sprayed with the flower. The boys came up with some nifty costumes for the play, too, including the symbolic flowing white lace wings Timothy wears as Puck.
Favorite Number: "Oh Timothy" is the opening number, as Timothy fantasizes about Jonathan...and Johnathan and his friends revel in pushing him around. Frankie gets two short numbers revealing her feelings on Timothy's problems as she plays guitar for the guys, "Pity" and "He's Gay." Timothy is nervous about the "Audition," but he wins Ms. Tebbit over with "Be As Thou Wast Wont." We get another fantasy number onstage in Timothy's head as the title song turns into an epic ballad for him, Jonathan, and the chorus. He admonishes his love to "Sleep Sound." "The Course of True Love" is the big chorus number for Timothy and the town as they try to figure out how they feel what they feel...and why. Frankie and Cooper, one of her friends, have a big rock routine talking about the myth the players were putting on, "Pyramus and Thisby."
What I Don't Like: This is a low-budget indie with an unusually large cast for its budget...but it's still not the glossiest production. Sometimes the adults can overdo it, or the boys come off as a little stiff or trying too hard. I'll pass the B-budget special effects with the spraying flower. Honestly, it kind of works with the high school play story.
The Big Finale: This sweet take a classic fantasy is worth looking into for fans of gay cinema, the small-time indie films of the 2000's, or those looking for a new twist on a beloved Shakespearean play.
Home Media: Easily found on DVD and streaming. Is currently running for free with commercials on Tubi.
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