Down Low *** (2023, Zachary Quinto, Lukas Gage, Simon Rex, Judith Light, Audra McDonald) – Classic Movie Review 12,678

Zachary Quinto (born June 2, 1977).

The 2023 over-the-top funny black comedy film Down Low stars Zachary Quinto as repressed and depressed older gay man Gary, who hires uninhibited young hustler Cameron (Lukas Gage), prompting a doomed fast-friend relationship.

Director Rightor Doyle’s 2023 American gay-themed black comedy film Down Low is over-the-top funny throughout till the inevitable tricky ending of the dark cul-de-sac that it has driven itself into. Even that, however, it just about gets away with. With its determinedly non-PC bad taste and slew of movie references, Down Low is smart and witty, nicely written and well performed. It’s certainly weird enough and likeable enough.

Zachary Quinto stars as deeply repressed and deeply depressed older gay man Gary, who hires uninhibited young hustler Cameron (Lukas Gage) for a bit of light relief down low. Their ensuing fast friend relationship is doomed one way and another, taking down everybody in the small cast of characters round them, but arguably it gives Gary a happy ending. Though whether it gives audiences a happy ending is a different matter. Is the ending satisfying? Is it sentimental? Not sure.

Down Low (2023, Zachary Quinto, Lukas Gage

The two main stars Zachary Quinto and Lukas Gage, have got a good thing going together here, and they relish it to the max. Both of them are quite chilly and none too loveable, and that seems to be the point. Black comedy needs a hard edge, and Down Low has it, refusing to cave in. Rightor Doyle keeps it pacing along smartly for its taut 91 minute running time.

The never-explain, never-apologise screenplay is by actor Lukas Gage and Phoebe Fisher. It is almost certainly a Marmite movie, like it or hate it, and no Mr In-Between.

The cast are Zachary Quinto as Gary, Lukas Gage as Cameron, Judith Light as Sandy, Simon Rex as Buck, Sebastian Arroyo as Sammy, Christopher Reed Brown as Raymond, and Audra McDonald as Patty.

It is made by FilmNation Entertainment, and premiered at South by Southwest on 11 March 2023 and was released on 10 October 2023 by Stage 6 Films.

Quinto publicly came out as gay in October 2011 and is an active supporter of gay rights and organizations.

© Derek Winnert 2023 – Classic Movie Review 12,678

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