Six people in New York are adrift. Zeke and Luke work in a sex shop: Zeke takes gay liberation seriously, Luke likes to sparkle and takes nothing seriously. He's offended when Stephen calls him a gay cliché, then, surprisingly, they find each other attractive and interesting. Stephen, it turns out, has a great apartment, trust fund, and artwork he's painted on his walls. Meanwhile, Peter, a neat-freak, and Derek, nice to everyone, move in together. Peter's compulsiveness threatens the relationship. Last, newly-engaged Marilyn, a recovering alcoholic stuck at step 2, can't stop obsessing about wedding details. Can these folks sort out civilization and its discontents?
You gotta fight for love, says the movie, but why bother when it looks so darn dull and annoying?
– Les Simpson,
Time Out New York,
27 Mar 2008
fresh:
A Four Letter Word is a surprisingly endearing romantic comedy that explores gay relationships with low-budget verve.
– Jeannette Catsoulis,
New York Times,
28 Mar 2008
rotten:
The film also serves up latte-frothy glimpses of an all-drag bridal shower, an erotic spinning class, and - all of 90 seconds into the proceedings -- naked yoga. Don't forget to bring your wipe-down towel.
– Tom Russo,
Boston Globe,
16 May 2008
fresh:
The cliches of bad gay filmmaking were lampooned in 2006's Another Gay Movie. Well, here's another gay movie. Things haven't moved an inch.
– Hank Stuever,
Washington Post,
5 Jun 2008
rotten:
Archer's acting is overly arch, but Cory Grant is quite effective as Zeke.