The Art of Being Straight (2008)

38% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
37% of users liked it
(300 ratings)

Officially broken up with his girlfriend and looking for a fresh start in Los Angeles, a young and good-looking photographer finds his life turned upside down after he winds up in bed with a successful male executive in director Jesse Rosen's warmhearted tale of one man's search to discover his true… More Officially broken up with his girlfriend and looking for a fresh start in Los Angeles, a young and good-looking photographer finds his life turned upside down after he winds up in bed with a successful male executive in director Jesse Rosen's warmhearted tale of one man's search to discover his true identity. John has always had a way with the ladies, so when he relocates to Los Angeles to live with his old college roommate Andy, it doesn't take long for the old friends to fall back into the familiar pattern of trash talking and womanizing. Initially taken aback when his ex-girlfriend Maddy introduces him to her new girlfriend, Anna, John soon finds himself falling into a homosexual relationship of his own after landing a job at a posh L.A. ad agency. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 11 min.
Directed By: Jesse Rosen
Genres: Drama, Gay & Lesbian, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 20, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Mar 9, 2010
Studio: Regent/here! Films

Critic Reviews

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Smart without being smart-alecky, Mr. Rosen's writing avoids the aggressive cleverness and gummy politics of many similarly themed movies, focusing instead on realistic dialogue and low-key interaction.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
The title is the cleverest thing about this minor indie portrait of sexual confusion.
Dennis Harvey, Variety
A low-key comedy high on charm and credible twentysomething observation.
Ernest Hardy, Village Voice
The psychologically flat script isn't nearly up to the task of depicting the pleasure within confusion/despair (or vice versa); neither are Rosen's acting chops.
Avi Offer, NYC Movie Guru
Mildly engaging with an initially intriguing premise and brief moments of wittiness, but ultimately falls flat as a drama. Its bland protagonist, along with a lazy, unimaginative screenplay, leaves you feeling unmoved and underwhelmed.
Fr. Chris Carpenter, Orange County and Long Beach Blade
The director's inexperience shows at times...but his writing and acting are fine. Indeed, everyone in the cast is quite good.
Anna King, Time Out New York
Being straight is hard to do in this brief, ponderous mumblecore flick.
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
Structured like a comedy, but outfitted with only the most tedious sexual-identity riffs, generic characterizations, and no singular point of view.