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Jeffrey (1995)

A review by Damian Cannon.
Copyright © Movie Reviews UK 1997
A member of that much maligned genre - serious comedy - Jeffrey is often inspired as it merges a straightforward message with surreal humour. The title character, Jeffrey (Steven Weber), has a problem in that he's gay and loves sex yet he's totally fed up with the whole palaver of "safe sex". Too many experiences of cling-film wrapped lovers, reams of blood tests and the horrors of split condoms have convinced him that celibacy is the only option. Hopefully, by channelling all of this newly available energy into his work and hobbies, he'll become really successful and forget all about sex. His friends, Sterling (Patrick Stewart) and Darius (Bryan Batt), aren't much help because they're already in a relationship but Jeffrey is determined. However, on his first visit to the gym, he finds his resolve sorely tested by the presence of so many sweaty, attractive bodies. The ultimate test arrives when Steve (Michael T.Weiss), a beautiful body-builder, comes on strong, although Jeffrey manages to escape.

Dazed from this close encounter, and steaming with lust, Jeffrey runs smack into a car outside and has to be helped up by Mother Theresa (apparently). Even more confused, he bumps unexpectedly into Sterling and they set off on a shopping expedition, which is a fine cue for lots of bitchy comments. As they discuss Jeffrey's solution to the problem of sex in an AIDS infested world (Sterling is happy to have a stable boyfriend and belief in his own immortality), they're suddenly transported to a game-show ("It's Just Sex"). Quizzed on his sex-life, Jeffrey comes close to winning a stack of tacky prizes but loses when he admits to being an actor (Sterling hits the jackpot instead). This is just the first of many bizarre scenes where Jeffrey grapples with the conflict between his physical needs and intellectual decision, to no great effect.

Steve is causing a lot of this heartache though, since he really likes Jeffrey and tries his very best to get a date. Eventually, by colluding with Sterling and Darius, Steve manages to corner Jeffrey and extract a positive answer (partly with the urging of a partisan crowd!). The slip-up comes when Steve mentions that he is HIV+, not wishing to lie about the situation. Jeffrey feigns indifference to the problem but then cancels just before their date, assiduously trying to avoid Steve. Of course his illness is exactly the problem, since that's why Jeffrey gave up sex in the first place. The thing is that by denying himself this pleasure, Jeffrey is cutting himself off from an essential part of himself and letting a virus rule his life. His friends can see this but can Jeffrey?

As a purely well-meaning film Jeffrey succeeds perfectly, filling just about every scene with inoffensive gay characters who conform to stereotype. However, this really doesn't do justice to the essential aspects of the film; it puts a solid message across and has a lot of fun doing so. The plot isn't up to much, being chopped into a multitude of separate routines, but many of these sketches are acutely amusing and subversively perceptive. Throwing in a bunch of easy-going characters, and some great almost-cameos, helps matters a great deal, particularly when Patrick Stewart is on-screen. He may be playing a well-worn role but he approaches it with such verve and panache that it's fun all over again. There have been better gay movies in the past, and there are more to come, but Jeffrey is a fine piece of no-effort pleasure that's here right now. Besides, the central theme, that a life lived in fear is no life at all, is relevant to all and well worth heeding.

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