Times Have Been Better

Boy, you can say that title again, especially after spending 90 minutes with distraught heterosexuals.
On a visit home, successful businessman Jérémy (Arnaud Binard, from 2004’s Grand Ecole) decides it’s time to come out of the closet and tell his family that he is gay. Though it was difficult for him, it becomes all about them. While his college-bound brother, Robin, has kept Jérémy’s secret for a long time, the reaction of his parents makes him realize that he will always be son numéro deux. While their parents are very liberal and lean to the left, when it comes to Jérémy’s sexuality they feel he isn’t right. When Jérémy explains that he is in a stable and loving relationship with Marc, he has created a situation for his parents to examine themselves and the state of their own connection. This would be fine in itself, but the rest of the film focuses on what a problem it is for Guy, his father, and how this has ruined his life and his virility is challenged. It gets worse when Guy must dissect and imagine exactly what it is that his son does in bed with his life-partner. Mon dieu!
When Jérémy’s mother, Rosine (A Love to Hide's Charlotte de Turckheim), seeks out the advice of her co-worker Yvan, he thinks that being a bitchy queen won’t help her but actually assists with her self-discovery.
For all of the frustrating plot points, this 2006 French made-for-TV movie has top-notch acting and great production values, particularly the soundtrack, which helps to keep the tone light and move beyond the downbeat straights and their supposed dilemma. (AKA Le Ciel sur la tête -- literally The Sky Above Your Head.) My Score: 6.5 out of 10.

Currently screening at the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (PIGLFF): http://www.phillyfests.com/piglff/home.cfm