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Gypsy 83

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Synopsis

A sweet gay drama of youth, beauty and differences from Todd Stephens, the writer of Edge of Seventeen.

Review

From Todd Stephens, producer and screenwriter of one of our all-time best-sellers Edge of Seventeen, comes yet another affecting drama about coming out and fitting in. Gypsy (Sara Rue of A Map of the World and TV's "Popular") wants nothing more from life than to be Stevie Nicks and hang out at cemeteries with her gay Goth best friend, Clive (Kett Turton), who dresses like The Cure's Robert Smith. In their hometown of Sandusky, Ohio, they are seen as freaks and losers, and both dream of stardom elsewhere. One day, when they learn of a "Night of a Thousand Stevies" concert contest in New York City, this odd couple hits the road, each with a mission: Gypsy wants to reunite with Velvet, the mother who abandoned her years ago; while Clive wants to lose his virginity to another man. Along the way, the pair comes into conflict with assorted rednecks. They also meet some potential friends, including "International Recording Artist and Karaoke Hostess Extraordinaire" Bambi Le Bleau (the bewitching Karen Black), and Zachariah, a hunky Amish guy who wants to escape "conformity and cows," and have sex with Clive.

While Gypsy and Clive each grab their share of personal freedom, they also experience betrayal; ultimately, they must own up to some of their long-held secrets. An honest and tenderhearted film, filled with great music and costumes, Gypsy 83 also features John Doe (from the punk band X) as Gypsy's mellow dad, and Paulo Costanzo (from Road Trip) as a closeted fraternity brother who has a hot men's room tryst with Clive and later watches as the two "freaks" are feathered by the other frat boys.

-- Gary M. Kramer

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Customer Reviews

Todd Stephens a new VOA

rrspyke wrote on 08/23/2006:

After the carefully crafted and slightly campy "Edge of Seventeen" Mr. Stephens had to come up with something significantly different to affirm his creative vision. And he succeeds.

Until I discovered Stephens films, my only exposure to Sandusky Ohio was limitted to Travel Channel's Roller Coaster Showdowns. But it seems that America's new land of angst is Sandusky. And Gypsy83 wants out - quick.

In this film, Gypsy's search for her mother is by extension, a search for herself. Like "Seventeen" this film has an emotional heart at the center that one finds hard to deny. And its all Sarah Rue's fault for her metered performance flipping between mania and depression.

Thanks to a few classic cameos, including Karen Black's sultry has-been torch song singer, the film is about getting somewhere in life, if you can get a grasp on your talents and vision. Well done, Stephens.

And, as a plus, who knew Karen Black could sing so briliantly?