LOOKING: THE MOVIE (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television film is a sequel to the drama series about the lives of a group of gay friends living in San Francisco.
Patrick, now single and living in Denver, returns to San Francisco for Agustín and Eddie's wedding; he soon reunites with his friends, learning that Kyah is "the new Patrick" of the group and Doris and Malik have committed to "living in sin" together. Patrick and Richie catch up, with Richie explaining that his attempts to reconcile with his homophobic father were a dismal failure, though Brady has been a supportive partner and his barber truck has been a success. The group debates the value of gay marriage, worrying that they may turn into uninteresting "Stepford homos," though Agustín's now-friendly ex-boyfriend, Frank, expresses his support of the idea of lifelong union. Patrick and Dom laugh about their long-ago near-hookup as Eddie introduces his pal Jake; Richie praises Patrick's "bravery" in leaving San Francisco and striking out on his own in Colorado.
Patrick has a one-night stand with a confident 22-year-old, Jimmy. Patrick confides in him about his disastrous breakup with Kevin and his desire to "hit the reset button" by moving away. Jimmy, however, advises him to "bury his dead" and not let unresolved conflicts linger. Patrick considers this and wonders if he should seek closure with Kevin, though Dom disapproves of the idea. Doris asks Dom why he didn't spend the evening with cute Jake and is unconvinced by Dom's protests that sex and romance would interfere with his new sense of career-driven purpose. Agustín experiences some pre-wedding jitters, confessing to Patrick that he is "not who he thought he'd be" upon arriving in San Francisco years ago and worrying that he will inevitably sabotage his life with Eddie. Patrick reminds him that people are allowed to change in order to find happiness. Back at Dom's, he considers how his life might have gone had he come out earlier in life, as Jimmy did, and wonders if his ideal mate might just be his best friend, Dom. The two share a kiss, but quickly decide that it's "like kissing my brother" and laugh off the momentary incident.
On the day of the wedding, Patrick decides to "close a chapter" by meeting up with Kevin, who explains that he is now in a healthy relationship with Jon and notes that his messy split with Patrick was ultimately for the best. Patrick tells him that he wishes to hand over all of his rights to their app, thus severing their business alliance. Kevin, aware that his desire to reconnect was about something more, demands to know if Patrick ever truly loved him. He accuses Patrick of cowardice, pointing out that he simply "moved home" to Denver and was unwilling to take the risk of a serious relationship with him. Patrick counters that Kevin repeatedly proved himself incapable of monogamy. The two sadly conclude that they can never truly be friends. However, Kevin, who plans to move to London with Jon, tells him of a job opportunity at Most Dangerous Games, explaining that he wishes him to be happy despite their conflicts. Patrick is touched, and the two part on good terms.
Patrick rushes to the courthouse, where Eddie is having his own pre-marital anxiety. Patrick gets some wise advice from the justice of the peace – who confesses that she herself has never married. Eddie and Agustín decide that their marriage will be "whatever they want it to be," and they finally exchange vows in front of their close friends. They head off to celebrate at the EndUp, and Patrick tells Richie of the surprisingly "validating" experience of watching two men get married. Dom and Patrick are delighted when Doris confesses that she and Malik are considering parenthood; activist Cleve Jones honors the newlyweds with a heartfelt speech, as does Patrick. Brady, however, gets drunk and belligerently confronts Patrick, again suggesting that he is "everything that's wrong with the gay community." When Richie tries to diffuse the tension, Brady furiously declares that Patrick is trying to "steal" his boyfriend, bringing their relationship to an unpleasant end.
Departing the EndUp together, Richie tells Patrick that he is seriously considering leaving San Francisco for Texas, wishing to start over in a new town as so many of his friends have done. Patrick tells him about the MDG job, and though Richie wonders if he needs to spend some time alone, Patrick suggests that it is easier to reset one's life alongside an affectionate partner. He offers to accompany Richie to Texas; though Richie worries that Patrick will "freak out" and run from commitment again, Patrick declares that he is no longer afraid of his love for Richie. He echoes Eddie and Agustín's sentiments as he tells him that even if the relationship doesn't work out, at least they will have tried to be happy together. Content at the thought of their indefinite future together, the pair rejoins their friends at Orphan Andy's.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: November 30, 1999 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:25:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 128566
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: LGBT Collection - Drama; Drama; Gays; Romance; San Francisco
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV, 2016
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Andrew Haigh … Executive Producer, Director, Writer
- Michael Lannan … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Sarah Condon … Executive Producer
- Kat Landsberg (see also: Kathy Landsberg) … Co-Executive Producer
- Ben Wasserstein … Associate Producer
- Emily Rupp … Associate Producer
- Shana Fischer Huber … Co-Producer
- Jonathan Groff … Cast, Patrick Murphy
- Frankie J. Alvarez … Cast, Agustín Lanuez
- Murray Bartlett … Cast, Dom Basaluzzo
- Lauren Weedman … Cast, Doris
- Russell Tovey … Cast, Kevin Matheson
- Raúl Castillo … Cast, Richie Donado
- Daniel Franzese … Cast, Eddie
- O-T Fagbenle … Cast, Frank
- Bashir Salahuddin … Cast, Malik
- Chris Berfetti … Cast, Brady
- Michael Rosen … Cast, Jimmy
- Derek Phillips … Cast, Jake
- Jennifer Foster … Cast, Kyah
- Cleve Jones … Cast, Himself
- Tyne Daly … Cast, Justice of the Peace
- Christopher Holley … Cast, Taxi Driver
- Suilma Rodriguez … Cast, Barista