(2009, 95 min)
Country: US, France
Director: Jason Bushman
Studio: Wolfe Releasing
SYNOPSIS:
Charming, funny and intimate, Hollywood je t'Aime is the story of a gay man’s journey of
self-discovery. When his life hits a rut in Paris, Jérôme decides to travel to L.A. for sun and fun.
Instead, he is immediately immersed with wacky Left Coast characters, a hot stoner played by Chad Allen
and surprise success as an actor.
REVIEW:
Jason Bushman's feature debut (his short Serene Hunter is on the S is for Sexy shorts
collection) is a charmingly loving tale of a sweet Parisian lost in the wilds of gay L.A. With its explicit
sex fantasy sequences and star Eric Debets extraordinary comic talent (he reminds us of a hot Roberto
Benigni), this has quickly risen to the top, becoming one of our all-time gay cinema favorites.
Like the Wizard of Oz, the story begins in a black-and-white Paris (most certainly not Kansas)
where Jérôme (Eric Debets) still holds a candle for his ex, who moved onto other boys long ago. Deciding
that he needs a fresh outlook on life, Jérôme packs his bags and heads for Hollywood, where he intends to
follow his dream of becoming an actor. Landing in L.A. the film shifts to color and a seedy Hollywood
motel (not really Oz, but it will do). The very adorable and naive Jérôme takes a long bus journey to the
beach where he meets Ross (Chad Allen)(perhaps the Tin Man), a temptingly hot stoner. But our boy won't be
tied down that quickly. On Santa Monica Blvd. he chats up tranny hooker Kaleesha (she's the Scarecrow)
(Diarra Kilpatrick), who falls in love immediately with our wandering naïf. She takes him to her home,
where boarders seem to come and go. Jérôme settles in and goes on a few auditions, completely unprepared
for the insane world of the bottom reaches of show business. All the while, Jérôme is dreaming of sex with
his ex-boyfriend. And these dreams are gorgeous explosions of sexual fantasy. With his world thrown upside
down (and the dreams), the young man must decide if LA is really the place for him. There really is
"No place like home".
Kudos go to star Eric Debets and writer/director Jason Bushman for creating this superbly entertaining
film. The gentle humanity and humor of Hollywood je t’aime make this an essential film.
(English and French with English subtitles)
-- Scott Cranin ( http://www.tlavideo.com )
