Jeffrey (1995)

68% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
67% of users liked it
(4,285 ratings)

Based on Paul Rudnick's hit Off-Broadway play, this romantic comedy centers on the chaotic love life of Jeffrey (Steven Weber), a gay man who swears off sex only to fall in love with his ideal man (Michael T. Weiss). Jeffrey's vow of chastity is inspired by a fear of AIDS, a prospect which has… More Based on Paul Rudnick's hit Off-Broadway play, this romantic comedy centers on the chaotic love life of Jeffrey (Steven Weber), a gay man who swears off sex only to fall in love with his ideal man (Michael T. Weiss). Jeffrey's vow of chastity is inspired by a fear of AIDS, a prospect which has started to terrify him so much that he decides he'd be better off never making love again. He is happy and relieved for a time, until he meets Steve, a handsome, charming dreamboat who also happens to be HIV-positive. Jeffrey wants nothing more than to be with Steve, but his anxiety over the disease and fear of commitment stand in the way. Much of the humor falls to Jeffrey's friends, including the sharp-tongued Sterling (Patrick Stewart), an outwardly catty but surprisingly good-hearted interior decorator, and his young boyfriend Darius (Bryan Batt), a performer in the Broadway musical Cats. Nathan Lane also contributes a memorable cameo as a questionable priest. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Christopher Ashley
Genres: Gay & Lesbian, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 18, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Jun 3, 2003

Critic Reviews

Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
It's not a total bust, and some of the performances are charming, but it never matches the gleeful, irreverent mischief it had on stage.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
Rudnick, adapting his off-Broadway hit, deftly blends uproarious fun and touching gravity.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Wildly uneven, and it aims at the lowest common denominator in its exceedingly broad comedy.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
If nothing else, Rudnick and director Christopher Ashley know how to keep the audience off balance and in stitches.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It's more a series of sketches and momentary inspirations than a story that grows interesting.
Tom Green, USA Today
It is startling that such a funny play is not so funny a movie.
Brandon Judell, PlanetOut
The most offensive film of the decade has arrived, thank God, and it was worth waiting for.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
As written by Paul Rudnick (Premiere's Libby Gelman-Waxner), this is a mildly amusing vignettish attempt to make a gay comedy about AIDS.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A miscast lead, but Patrick Stewart makes it all worthwhile.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
The road to IFC is paved with good intentions... but [Jeffrey] is hobbled by pretentious gimmicks, amateurish acting and sloppy pacing.
Fred Topel, About.com
Outstanding comedy. Effectively portrays the romance of gay relationships, with a Woody Allen tone of comedy.
Jean Oppenheimer, Boxoffice Magazine
A warm and humorous -- as well as a sad and moving -- exploration of all-too-human relationships.
Brandon Judell, PopcornQ
If you think Priest got people's dander up, Jeffrey will have them running for their Saturday night specials, snickersnees, and heart pills.

Read all 13 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

A fun but already-dated gay dating comedy with a touch of AIDS sadness. Patrick Stewart adds to the silliness. It ranks up there with Torch Song Trilogy.
Drew S

This shit sucks. It's just as sexually compartmentalizing as The Birdcage was, only from the other end of the spectrum and about half as cleverly. I don't feel like saying any more.
Alec B

The breaking of the third wall and fantasy moments that really distinguish the story work better on stage, but there are enough enjoyable moments and strong performances (especially by Michael T. Weiss) to make it a worthwhile film.

Cast

            Steven Weber as Jeffrey

            Michael T. Weiss as Steve

            Patrick Stewart as Sterling

            Robert Klein as Skip Winkley

            Christine Baranski as Ann Marwood Bartle

            Peter Bartlett as Casting Director

            Vinnie Capone as Thug

            Mary Bond Davis as Church Lady

            Alice Drummond as Grandma Rose

            Olympia Dukakis as Mrs. Marcangelo

            Victor Garber as Tim

            Barton Heyman as Elderly Man

            Nathan Lane as Father Dan

            Albert Macklin as Slave

            Camryn Manheim as Single Woman

            Debra Monk as Mom

            Kathy Najimy as Acolyte

            Kevin Nealon as TV Reporter

            Michele Pawk as Young Mother

            Lenka Peterson as Church Lady

            Sarah Peterson as Nurse

            Ethan Phillips as Dave the sexual compulsive

            Joe Ponazecki as Uncle Barney

            Henry Stram as Cousin Gary

            David Thornton as Man

            Sigourney Weaver as Debra Moorhouse

            Peter Maloney as Dad

            Gregory Jbara as Angelique

            Irma St. Paule as Mother Teresa

            Bryan Batt as Darius

            K. Todd Freeman as Barney's Waiter

            Christopher Davis as Cater-Waiter Dancer

            Jeffrey Ross
            
            Marylouise Burke
            
            Peter Jacobson
            
            Tom Cayler
            
See full cast