Oh Happy Day (2007)

User Rating:

6.1/10   

Director:

Ian Poitier

Writer:

Ian Poitier (writer)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

How much would you reveal for love?

Plot:

Two guys battle through the consequences of having had a one-night stand just before they started working together...

Cast

Anthony Alexis	...	Salsa Club Barman
Cristina Avery	...	'Sushi' Research Assistant
James Barrett	...	Trapeze Artist
Stephen Billington	...	David
Topher Campbell	...	Randy
Christopher Colquhoun	...	Jonathan
Hazel Cooper	...	Sussex Hotel Waitress
John Cooper	...	Sussex Hotel Barman
Percy Duke	...	Justin
Tom Frankland	...	Shouting Guy
Will Garthwaite	...	Focus Group Participant
Oliver Houston	...	Men's Store Assistant
Sarah Hunt	...	Focus Group Participant
Seeta Indrani	...	Salsa Teacher
Oscar James	...	Storekeeper
Paul Jerrico	...	Rex
Tamara Joffe	...	Flora Burns
Phinnis John	...	Taxi Driver
Sebastien Lawson	...	Shouting Guy
Gerald Lepkowski	...	Rob
Vicky Lester	...	Harpist
Maia Mackney	...	Focus Group Researcher
Steven Newbury	...	Focus Group Participant
Michael Ojo	...	Justin's Friend
Jocelyn Osorio	...	Holly
Hazel Palmer	...	Miss Eartha
Chris Polick	...	Neil
Tessa Pritchard	...	Mr. Scrubby Lady
Pooky Quesnel	...	Fern
Dan Sanders	...	Fire Juggler
Julie Saunders	...	Jasmine
Tyler Smart	...	Poppy
Jo Smith	...	Daisy
Emma Vansittart	...	Susan
Andrew C. Wadsworth	...	Emcee
Dean Wallis	...	Shouting Guy
Scott Wallis	...	Nick
Tom Whitehouse	...	Toby
Rachel Wilcock	...	Focus Group Participant
Blanche Williams	...	Rose
Phil Willmott	...	Waste Expert
Vanessa Wood	...	Woman in Rose Garden
Leon Yearwood	...	Railway Attendant

Runtime:

UK:100 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

1.75 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Company:

Firebrand Films

"Whole Lotta Snoggin' Going' On"...............or........

........"How do YOU pronounce 'Happiness'?" (alternate title for this review).

2007 may just be considered a banner year for the release of two excellent gay films: one a romance ("Shelter"), the other ("O-H-D") a romantic comedy; one produced on this side of the Big Pond, one on the other side of that pond. Notably, what they have in common are decent production values, scripted stories that easily hold our interest, and male lead couples who'll keep your dreams alive and well. As for differences, I'll only mention that where "Shelter" takes us on an upliftingly romantic journey, "O-H-D" takes us on a fun-loving, romantic journey. And where the former film gives us that special "B-G-L-M", in the latter film the Brits give us the "B-G-F-I-L-M" (both an indoors and and outdoors one---Wow). Please note that "Shelter" has already been discussed by this reviewer/commenter elsewhere on this site, so I'll now leave with you just a few additional thoughts about this, to me, memorable English production. It so deserves NOT to be underrated/unrecognized.

Starting off with our two leads, we have good looking, blond and devilish Stephen Billington, playing David, who's kinda like that let's-have-a-ball, little boy who hasn't grown up yet. He's "Mr. Fun".......just over from the States, with the main goal of driving Englishman, Jonathan, both crazy and into bed. "J" on the other hand is the tall, hunky, sometimes-afraid-of-letting-loose marketing exec who is our "Mr. Serious" (a leanly well built and gorgeous Christopher Colquhoun). A lot of the fun you're going to have is in watching a smirky-grinning David merrily take him down (and I mean that in a "straight" way--Ha). While it's the sometimes-in-a-dither "J" we spend a little bit more time with, it is actually David who is the solid, hold-it-all-together core of this little duo. As in any relationship picture, there are going to be ups and downs, and these guys are terrific in giving us that back and forth, 'I-can-top-what-you're-doing' thing---while making us feel all the better for it. And if you think they're oh-so-verrry-good in giving us a tiff to remember, it'll be the making up afterward that's the real fun (and here's where that "B-G-F-I-L-M" thing comes in.....it's a real hoot and will have your mind humming because you've become so pleased with what you're watching---it's just one of those memorably happy film moments).

There is a very good supporting cast, everyone of whom it's not possible to mention. BUT........there is a little girl (Poppy) who comes up with a couple of "philosophical zingers" which are a riot and which let us know she's more grown up than any of the rest of them. Oh, oh, and then there's my favorite of the adult, supporting actresses......you know, the gal with the rose on her ass (no, make that 'arse'). (Lol).

Winding down here, my "Best of the Night" award has to go to Director/Writer Ian Poitier who, however he did it, has gotten Billington and Colquhoun to give us some of the best man-on-man "lip-lock" scenes you're going to see outside of gay porn. Way to go, Guys; that's usually the big downfall of other gay mainline films.

Lastly, "Happy M'Buki--M'Vuki" to each and everyone of you out there!

PS--Ah.....the "B-G-F-I-L-M" thing? Okay....well that simply stands for "Big Gay Falling In Love Montage" (thanks, Director Jonah Markowitz).

PPS--Oh.....yeah, and that "Happiness" bit? Dudes---if you can't speak French, you're never gonna get this one (Lol).

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