Despite arriving a decade too late, there’s a version of the small-town coming-out comedy “4th Man Out” — about a young, gay Average Joe whose friendship with his blue-collar buddies is tested by his newly announced sexuality — that could feel relevant. But first-time director Andrew Nackman’s emotionally shallow, vaguely misogynistic take isn’t it.
Foul-mouthed yet ultra-tame, this bromance might have made a progressive-for-its-time companion piece with “Friends,” that gay panic-fueled ’90s TV staple. Many of the jokes — and later, a plot point — hinge on auto mechanic Adam’s (Evan Todd, “Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas Ever”) possible attraction to his pals.
Every last effeminate character is a cartoon nightmare of a sissy, suggesting a “right” and “wrong” (or at least a “desirable” and “undesirable”) way to be homosexual. And the film is disappointingly timid about showing the very thing it’s championing: same-sex desire. For all the talk of Grindr and club hook-ups, poor Adam only ever gets one make-out — and even that ends in flatulent calamity.
Too scared to come out on his alcohol-soaked 24th birthday as he’d planned, Adam blurts it out the morning after. His best friend Chris (Parker Young, “Arrow”) immediately throws up — and I don’t want to meet the person who laughs at this gag, even though Aaron Dancik’s script clearly intended it to be hilarious. (Chris explains it was just his hangover.)
Adam’s friends are the kind of lugs who can’t believe that a guy who eats steak for dinner would also want to have sex with other men. Bearded slobs Nick (Chord Overstreet, “Glee”) and Ortu (Jon Gabrus) are the most convinced that, naturally, Adam is constantly eye-banging them. (The jokes are on them, but also far from funny.) Chris knows better, but he, too, can’t help giving into doubts, especially when his harpy girlfriend Jessica (Jordan Lane Price) insists that Adam wants him bad.
In addition to the Irish-Catholic, purple-state milieu, we’re in sitcom-hijinks territory. Clued in about Adam’s sexuality, the neighboring church lady begins to suspect that he and his three friends are all gay and sleeping with one another. She bakes Adam a Virgin Mary cake to… sweeten his gay away? In one of the film’s better — but still barely amusing — lines, Ortu riffs that what the neighbor’s conversion cake could have used to have its desired effect is a big ol’ rack for the Mother of God.
After a string of bad online dates, Adam finally meets a client at the auto shop that he can see himself with — then flubs the interaction by flirtatiously admitting to the guy that he sniffed the ChapStick in the glove compartment. It’s a bizarre, implausible line — and yet it works, because despite being in his mid-20s, long-closeted Adam’s still a teenager when it comes to dating. It’s one of the very few emotional insights about the very condition the film’s devoted to depicting — and gleefully married in this instance to the script’s love-hate, gross-out approach to bodies.
But “4th Man Out” barely cares about Adam’s romantic life, because it’s too busy dwelling on straight Chris’. Jessica’s the kind of unimaginatively terrible girlfriend who only exists in movies and reality shows about teenage bridezillas, and so there’s a barely engaging slog to get through about Chris’ journey toward Tracy (Jennifer Damiano), a girl who’s perfect because her interests line up with your average dude’s (beer and “Ghostbusters”).
The most interesting idea in “4th Man Out” arrives early. When the dudes first discover Adam is gay, they wonder if they have to start self-policing their casual sexism and homophobia, like calling each other “homos” as an insult and riffing on porn where, uh, certain fluids are placed on women’s faces. But there’s no real reckoning with the latent misogyny and gay-phobia in those conversations, in part because the film is inflexibly built around the idea that a dude can be both “gay” and “normal” and in part because it’s just not that smart.
Perhaps there’s comfort to be derived from this crowd-pleaser’s portrayal of the advantages of being gay in a small town. (The film took home Outfest’s audience award last year.) The simple act of coming out was how homophobic ignorance and prejudice were overcome so rapidly in the last couple of decades, after all: Ellen DeGeneres made headlines when she came out less than 20 years ago, and now she’s everyone’s mom’s favorite daytime star.
“4th Man Out” is certainly relevant to someone in America today. But, like Chandler and Joey jumping two feet in the air every time they accidentally touch hands, it’s probably retrograde to many more.
Sundance 2016: 15 Hottest Movies Looking for Sales (Photos)
"Southside With You"
Director: Richard Tanne
Cast: Parker Sawyers, Tika Sumpter
Why It’s Hot: Before they moved into the White House, Barack Obama and Michelle Robinson were just two young people going on their first date in Chicago. It’s a fascinating entry point for a movie about the President and First Lady. We know how their story ends, but buyers are very curious how it began. Does Michelle kiss on the first date? We can’t wait to find out…
Why It’s Hot: Between his low budgets and his loyal following, Kevin Smith’s movies are attractive to buyers, especially if Johnny Depp co-stars. “Tusk” was divisive but we loved it and can’t wait for this follow-up, which seems a bit more accessible and commercial than a movie about a human walrus.
Why It’s Hot: This family dramedy finds Krasinski’s character returning home to his small town where his mother is about to undergo surgery. The star-studded ensemble makes the film a high priority for buyers, who are expected to pounce before the credits roll.
Why It’s Hot: Netflix bought worldwide SVOD rights for $7 million, but the film’s theatrical rights are still available. The splashy Netflix deal, rumored to be the biggest pre-festival acquisition in the history of Sundance, suggests that interest will be high among indie distributors who aren’t beholden to output deals.
Why It’s Hot: It’s the opening night film, and surely Sundance wouldn’t program a dud. While Shannon plays Plemons’ dying mother, Kelly is a “Saturday Night Live” writer, so expect a little levity in the proceedings. Plemons has earned no shortage of goodwill thanks to “Fargo,” “Breaking Bad” and “Friday Night Lights.” Perhaps this is the project that makes him a movie star.
Why It’s Hot: Reichardt has earned a loyal following in indie circles thanks to her previous films with Williams -- “Wendy and Lucy” and “Meek’s Cutoff.” Kristen Stewart’s indies have been hit-and-miss at the box office, but she’s still a high-profile actress, so if the film delivers dramatically, buyers will be ready to open their checkbooks.
Why It’s Hot: Lonergan is one of indie cinema’s most-respected filmmakers whose work appeals to prestige distributors. This film was initially set to star Matt Damon before Casey Affleck took over, though Damon is still credited as a producer. “Manchester” was shot by indie darling DP Jody Lee Lipes, who represents another attractive element amid the high-profile package.
Why It’s Hot: This project has been in the works for more than a decade. It’s based on a shocking memoir by Brad Land, who recounted a terrifying assault and his experience pledging his brother's college fraternity. The film explores the issue of hazing and how that brutal annual ritual tests the siblings’ bond. James Franco produced “Goat” with Killer Films and David Gordon Green wrote the script, so expect this one to be a must-see for seasoned buyers who like their indies with an edge.
Why It’s Hot: Rebecca Hall is said to give a devastating performance as Christine Chubbuck, a depressed TV reporter who shot herself live on the air in the 1970s. It’s a fascinating story and Campos’ most accessible movie to date. His other, more challenging films found distribution and they didn’t have the star power “Christine” boasts, so expect some smart buyer to take it off the table quickly if reviews are positive.
Why It’s Hot: The logline alone -- a champion college quizzing team tries to win the all-India finals and lose their virginities -- had us in stitches, and the controversial Indian filmmaker known simply as Q doesn't play it safe. This could end up being this year’s “Napoleon Dynamite” if advance buzz is any indication. Buyers shouldn’t underestimate the audience for a movie like “Brahman Naman,” which is in English but could still lend itself to an American remake.
Riley Productions
"Michael Jackson’s Journey From Motown to Off the Wall"
Why It’s Hot: Sundance is the undisputed king of indie cinema, and director Linklater is among its filmmaking royalty. This documentary examines his impact on the indie world, from making “Slacker” in Texas in the early '90s to directing "Dazed and Confused," "Waking Life” and “Boyhood.” His work has inspired a generation of filmmakers to try their hand at DIY-filmmaking. The Sundance crowd should eat it up.
"The Lovers and the Despot"
Director: Ross Adam and Robert Cannan
Why It’s Hot: This strange-but-true story follows a famous director and actress who are kidnapped by movie-obsessed dictator Kim Jong-il and forced to make films in North Korea, where they get a second chance at love, but only one chance at escape. With a gloriously bizarre premise like that, this documentary promises to be fascinating.
"Under the Gun"
Director: Stephanie Soechtig
Why It’s Hot: Produced by Katie Couric, this doc about gun violence is guaranteed to generate controversy, which might as well be music to buyers’ ears. It gives distributors something to sell. “Under the Gun” examines the aftermath of the Sandy Hook massacre and includes never-before-seen footage from the movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colorado. It’s probably the hottest documentary at Sundance this year, so don’t miss it.
Atlas Films
"Holy Hell"
Director: Will Allen
Why It’s Hot: Sundance played a savvy publicity game with this title, initially keeping Allen’s identity a secret. He eventually came forward to claim responsibility, but his reluctance is understandable. The film takes an inside look at a West Hollywood cult formed by a charismatic teacher in the 1980s that eventually imploded. We don’t know what kind of cult is depicted in the movie, but we’re guessing he didn’t want to get on its bad side.
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TheWrap takes a look at the hot commodities at this festival, from John Krasinski’s “The Hollars” to the documentary “Holy Hell”