The Watchlist: Those People

Welcome back to The Watchlist. Where I finally watch the messy sock drawer that is my Netflix Watchlist, because if I don’t watch it then Who Watches The Netflix Watchlist?

This Week: Those People

This movie popped up as a recommended movie one day. Netflix’s recommending machine must have seen how many times I watched Weekend and thought I’d like to watch a Gatsby meets Gossip Girl version of that. I did Netflix, you know me better than I know myself. It knew that I would watch a movie that’s set in Manhattan and is about the best friend of a rich guy (Simon) that is “secretly” in love with said best friend, and that ruins the true love he has for an older pianist (Tim). Also everyone in this is hot. This is Gossip Girl New York, where everything goes well except that pesky relationship thing. The only talk of money is when the token straight girl talks about not going after her dream job because she’s scared she won’t get it. This is a blip in the major arc of the story of Charlie, Simon and Tim.

Charlie is a sweet painter and is crying most of the movie, but he’s pretty good at it, and hot, so it’s really not that bad to watch.

Simon is rich and mostly drunk. His dad is in prison for money things that don’t really make sense and Simon visits him once and then his Dad commits suicide. There’s reasons, but they aren’t very compelling.

Tim is hot, old, and a pianist. Also, he punches people, his dad, and Simon.

So over the course of this movie I was interested in little. There’s a decent plot with Simon holding Charlie back, which eventually leads to Tim and Charlie not getting together. The thing is it wasn’t as compelling as this moment of such humorously, true, and tender moment that I zoned out. This moment is from the first date Tim and Charlie have. hey run around Manhattan and eventually break into the High Line park and talk about their secrets. Charlie says that his dad died (we learn later that he didn’t and he lies about it because it’s easier than saying he left for another family). Tim comes back with a truth that is cliche but in this context is heartfelt, and a moment of connection and not judgment.

Then they enjoy the moment and the beauty of the city night. This is the peak. Then everyone doesn’t get what they want, and Charlie paints all his friends for his MFA painting show. They toast Sebastian as he leaves to who-knows-where, we are left with that familiar bittersweet taste of the Weekend romance movie variety.

Look at that still of it Netflix has of it. It looks like there’s going to be a banging costume party where two hot men fall in love and live happily ever after. That’s the dream. A movie about two gay men that’s not about the loss of love. I guess the’s always porn? I don’t know it seems like every non gay smut movie is about how love never lasts, and how that’s sad but true. I guess, it’s true but can we get one movie that everything works out? That would be nice. I guess to the rest of the world we’ll always be broken hearted cock suckers, y’know the people your priest told you about. Those People. I guess it just isn’t our time. Right Tim?