Bollywood and Vine (2004)

You won't be disappointed!

Memorable, crazy movie

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

I keep a list of films I've seen and give them my own personal rating (0-4 stars); In retrospect, I had to give this one an "N/A" because I didn't consider it one I'd expect to find in a film review book such as Leonard Maltin's, didn't want to "bomb" it, or give it a ** or **1/2 and make it seem as worthy to rate as mainstream films. However, it is easier to rate on a 1-10 scale, so I felt that 4 was appropriate.The reason I didn't bomb it was because that in spite of its shortcomings, I found it rather entertaining and had fun laughing AT it, and WITH it. The two young male leads (Jamey Schrick and J.R. Jones) are actually quite natural and don't force their lines or over-do the camp element. They are actually quite a lot better than actors I've seen in other low-budget gay-theme films that either spoke in monotone or soap opera-ish predictability. They were cute without being too "hunky" (that gets old very fast), and were both quite likable. Even Jones in drag is quite understated, not making his character so femme that you can't stand to watch him. There is a comfortable level about him that should make viewers want to see him find true love. I liked him/her more than many professional female impersonators I've seen and met over the years.Skye Aubrey could have stolen every scene she was in with her Elaine Stritch gruffness in the beginning that softens as I got to know her character. She switches from Stritch's dead-pan to more of a Janis Paige lovable Auntie Mame type. As annoyed as I would be with someone like her character, I couldn't help but admire Trish Dempsey's performance as the Tess Harper "Crimes of the Heart" type neighbor. At first, I thought it might even be Ms. Harper. She was aggravating but funny. I loved many of the old horror movie and TV references, particularly to Aubrey's referral of Demsey as her neighborhood Gladys Kravitz ("Bewitched"). There was more attention to detail in the development of the lead characters so it was easier to overlook some of the weak spots. I could have done without the hostage situation, which takes it into an early John Waters type of theme, and the final sequence was a bit too hurried. For a viewer who might overlook this type of film to watch, based upon its extremely low budget (although it seems to have been filmed in some beautiful sections of the Hollywood Hills, which I seemed to recognize), it deserves more consideration than other low-budget gay themed films that cropped their way onto video store shelves in the 80's and 90's.Lastly, this film does require some suspension of belief; If you can't go in with your heart open to a possible romance between the two leading male characters, then forget about it; Otherwise, just enjoy what these creators were simply trying to do-Playfully honor types of films that today have become cult classics, while hopefully opening a few eyes to what gay relationships really are all about.

I have never been a particularly huge fan of independent films, but this move has definitely changed my opinion of the 'Independent Film'. This movie was thoughtfully written and very well performed by all of the actors. I was especially impressed by the performance put forward by Jamie Schrick. His performance in this epic was extremely believable and well executed. I was, however, very disappointed to find out that he hasn't been in more films. This young man was excellent in this film and I feel that he shows real promise and would be great in other films as well. We definitely need to see more of this man in future movie productions! Somebody out there needs to sign this guy up and sign him soon! See ya at the movies!

then here is a little VERY low budget film that barely reaches the tolerable level for most, but for those who delight in over-the-top spoofs, it may just appeal. One wonders just how these 'Bollywood' spoofs escape criticism from the fine film makers that come out of India (Deepa Mehta's trilogy, for example), but then most of them are made in India and are actually throwbacks to the heyday cinematic musicals of the 1940s.BOLLYWOOD AND VINE follows the contrived idea that a young Indian wannabe film maker named Bhuvan Bannerji (Jamey Schrick) drives a tourist bus into the Hollywood Hills where lives an old actress of horror movies, one Delilah Leigh (Skye Aubrey, the only professional actress in the film and one whose credits date back to 1967) who lives on poverty's edge with her gay son Devin (J.R. Jones). Delilah hasn't worked in years, lives as a recluse, and when Bhuvan mistakes Devin (in complete drag) for Delilah he leaves a script at her doorstep. A charade begins, with Bhuvan's bad script seems to be a ticket to money if Devin can convince him he is able to carry the role in Bhuvan's home of Bombay - a Bollywood movie. Delilah and Devin vie for stardom, Delilah locks the boys in the attic to nurture Devin's need for a relationship, Bhuvan rebels, attempts escape, and the trio become caught up in an accidental death of a snoopy wannabe star neighbor (Trish Dempsey). Of course they are caught and the ending just gets so silly that it is groanfully bad.The saving grace of the film is that it doesn't take itself seriously. The script has some funny lines sparingly dropped here and there and the cast seems to be having a great time with the comedy. This is a tough film to classify: it has gay themes but very little in the way of gay plot - except for the camp. This is one of those 'loving hands at home' films that is somewhat salvaged by Skye Aubrey who clearly knows her craft! Grady Harp

BOLLYWOOD AND VINE starts of lame and gets progressively lamer as it wears on. The characters are mostly witless cut-outs aping Hollywood stereotypes of Indians, film stars, and homosexuals. Star Skye Aubrey is surely meant for greater things. In fact, a ribbon-cutting at a Beverly Hills WalMart might be an improvement. The plot is inane and unbelievable, going from one farcical situation to another without regard for pace, tone or honest character development. There are a few in-jokes intended for inveterate movie-goers, but they are so buried in the leaden script that they garner merely smiles, not laughs. Just when you hope this satirical Sunset Boulevard will 'dead end' it goes on another ten minutes! Bollywood and Vine is one address you won't want to visit - just drive by and honk. Ganesha forgive them!