Flawless love story made challenging by poor sound
Added 7/5/2009
Green Plaid Shirt is a flawlessly conceived and executed gay love story made challenging by poor sound quality. It takes a lot of attention, audio adjustments, and frequent rewinds to understand everything that's said, but it is WELL worth the trouble. People who aren't willing to invest such time and energy will understandably hate this movie, but those who are willing to will be greatly rewarded.
It's probably the most beautifully moving and believable love story I have ever seen anywhere. Besides the sound, everything about this movie--writing, direction, acting, editing, photography--is absolutely perfect and astonishing. The story line is not chronologically linear, but it's perfectly fitted to the development of this particular story and makes it easier to follow than if it WERE chronological.
This is no fairy tale romance. There are failures, betrayals, stupidity, selfishness and much sadness along the way, but that's how life is. Learning to love another person THROUGH troubles like that is the greatest good available to us as human beings, and that is exactly what this movie is about.
Two of the supporting characters (Jerry and Devon) are so self-centered and obnoxious I was relieved any time they were out of the story, but even they are entirely realistic, believable and very well-acted. Everybody else--including Phil's mother, who's on for only a couple of minutes--is simply perfect. Others have rightly commended Gregory Phelan and Kevin Spirtas in the leads; I'll add Jonathan Klein as Todd, one of the most original, appealing, and fascinating characters who ever appeared in any movie.
I have never recommended a movie as highly as I recommend Green Plaid Shirt, to anybody who is willing to invest some of him(or her)self in watching it.
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This movie isn't as bad as everyone here is saying it is.
Added 6/18/2008
I started watching the film with the intent that I was not going to like it. I put the DVD in the player and as soon as it started, a disclaimer from the producer came up. It said that this was his first film and there were problems with it as there are problems with all "first films". So, that told me that the other reviewers here were expecting a high budget film which it isn't. I thought the film was very put together and made alot of sense. It was a story of the main actor's love, lose and letting go do to AIDS. I usually avoid these type of films (AIDS related) because I myself have seen too many people dying of AIDS. I do recommend this film to anyone that would like to see the "historical" side of HIV and AIDS as it related to the gay community.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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sound problems
Added 1/21/2006
i bought this dvd many months ago from another source. the sound was so bad i couldn't watch it. it has been such a long time that i don't remember the story, if there was one. i recently sent an e-mail to borders and amazon.com. they have assured me that this dvd is perfect but after reading the reviews here i have come to the conclusion that it is still no good. i have but one question: why is it that these sources keep on selling this item. i could have sent this dvd back to my source but decided to keep it and try and play it. the sound is so bad that it wasn't possible to watch or listen to. amazon.com has told me if it is not up to their standards i can return it. that is a lot of hassle to look forward to. i would just like someone[preferably human] to watch this and say "its o.k." the response from amazon.com dumbfounded me. i will not buy this dvd from them with the thought of returning it. one star is awarded to this simply because they will not allow less than this single star. stay away from this one until they sort out the sound problems.
1 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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A pleasant surprise!
Added 11/17/2005
"Green Plaid Shirt" is a fabulously touching (and heart-wrenching) love
story that brilliantly covers so many bases. Set in the late-80s to
mid-90s, a group of gay men is struggling to find the balance between
simply being in love and the ever-evolving world of queer politics and
realities--from polyamory to finding community to dealing with AIDS.
The opening scene sets the mood for a story of true love, and the pains
and joys that go with it. Philip is searching for meaning in the love that
he has felt for so long, and takes us on a journey through his memories of
the past ten years of commitment. What he reveals is a beautiful story of
two men falling in love, and then forcing themselves to change their ways,
to open their relationship, and to detach themselves from feelings of
dependence and of jealousy. Through the years, other partners come and go,
they deal with friends dying of AIDS, they go through good times and bad
times, both together and apart. And ultimately, they discover what it is
they both need.
"Green Plaid Shirt" tackles a lot. It's a very astute story about
insecurities, love, the ebs and flows of monogamy in queer culture, and
the harsh realities of AIDS and other illnesses. It's a remarkable love
story that could happen in any decade, but is a poignant story about gay
love in the 80s and 90s. It's a phenomenal tale with humor, heart-warming
passion, and a powerful message. A beautiful movie.
3 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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Ditch the plaid..go with a solid
Added 7/9/2005
Green Plaid Shirt is a movie about two men Phillip (Gregory Phelan) and Guy (Kevin Spirtas) who meet briefly at a yard sale and both want to purchase a plaid green shirt. The two meet up later at an outdoor bar and thus blossoms this romance were they fall in love, have sex and move in together. As the movie jumps forward and back and forward again, Guy has left Phillip for another man and contracts HIV and then moves back in with Phillip. In addition, several of Phillip's closest friends also have contracted HIV and begin entering full-blown AIDS and die.
I know this movie was made on a budget, but the film quality was so poor I had to try and read the actors lips to actually tell what they were saying and that was with the volume at max. The script is scant, a fast paced romance that is editted so badly you lose the power and effect of the couple's struggles in the film. The writing and acting comes across as forced and wooden, which is more a fault of the writer and director then of the actors. This movie deals with a sensitive and serious topic AIDS, however to much emphasis is placed on the physical side of sex and random nonsense commentary, rather than on the complex and constantly changing face of love and comparsion. Lastly, the green plaid shirt just became annoying after the tenth time seeing it, not mention it is one of the ugliest shirts I have seen. Just as a simple white t-shirt is uncomplicated yet sexy, tightly written dialogue and focused direction amplify the effect and message you want to come across without the distraction of rampant drama or plaid.
2 out of 3 people found this helpful.
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