Were the World Mine (2008)

68% of critics liked it
(25 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(2,558 ratings)

Love is in the air thanks to a magic potion whipped up by an imaginative student in this playful independent comedy with music. Timothy (Tanner Cohen) is a bright young man who is attending an upscale private high school, Morgan Hill, thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of his mother (Judy… More Love is in the air thanks to a magic potion whipped up by an imaginative student in this playful independent comedy with music. Timothy (Tanner Cohen) is a bright young man who is attending an upscale private high school, Morgan Hill, thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of his mother (Judy McLane). Timothy is also gay and doesn't care who knows it, which doesn't make him popular with his classmates; his closest friends, a girl nicknamed Frankie (Zelda Williams) and her boyfriend, Max (Ricky Goldman), attend another school. Timothy has a serious crush on Jonathon (Nathaniel David Becker), but Jonathon isn't interested in boys, to Timothy's chagrin. Timothy is cast as Puck in the school's spring musical, a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and inspired by his character's machinations, Timothy tries to recreate the love potion used in the play. Miraculously, Timothy arrives at a formula that actually works, and after accidentally dousing Max and having to fend off his advances, Timothy sprays Jonathan with the concoction and soon has the boy of his dreams. However, before long Timothy's magic potion gets loose, and things get very lively on campus, among both the students and the teachers. Were the World Mine was the first feature film from director Tom Gustafson, and won the Audience Award at the 2008 Torino International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.
Directed By: Thomas Gustafson, Tom Gustafson
Written By: Thomas Gustafson, Cory James Krueckeberg
Genres: Action & Adventure, Romance, Gay & Lesbian, Comedy, Drama, Musical & Performing Arts

In Theaters: Dec 12, 2008 Limited
On DVD: Jun 9, 2009
Studio: Wolfe Releasing

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
This high school reworking of A Midsummer Night's Dream never really takes flight, but neither is it the preening misfire the first half promises.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
Were the World Mine is seriously uneven. If it displays considerable imagination and creativity, it also lapses too often into smug, campy silliness.
Mike Mayo, Washington Post
Editorial Review Writer-producer-director Tom Gustafson's musical fantasy Were the World Mine, based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, is mostly delightful.
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
A diverting Chicago-made export, director and co-writer Tom Gustafson's gay fantasia on Shakespearean themes is set in a socially stratified private school ruled by the rugby jocks but about to be sent into a tizzy thanks to the magic of Shakespeare.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
There are times when it is safe to say that a labor of love is love's labor lost, and, reader, this is one of them.
Reyhan Harmanci, San Francisco Chronicle
Were the World Mine follows the teen musical formula but renders its material with admirable lushness and intelligence.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
What could have been a charming and original endeavor becomes tacky and silly.
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul), St. Paul Pioneer Press
The songs are bright and beautifully sung, the cast's naturalism works against the surreality of the concept, and ultimately, the pieces fit together like a dream.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
All teen comedies would be this divine were the world Gustafson's.
Sarah Boslaugh, Playback:stl
Were the World Mine is a charming picture with a very simple message: be who you are, let others be who they are, and we can all be happy. In fact, we might even be fabulous.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Were the World Mine gets by on sheer charm -- and on Gustafson's inventive direction, Kira Kelly's elegant cinematography and co-screenwriter Cory James Krueckeberg's whimsical production design, which works wonders on a limited budget.
Bill White, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Were the World Mine is an independent film that succeeds through the excellent work of a cast and crew whose imagination compensates for budgetary constraints.
Richard Knight, Windy City Times
Tom Gustafson's musical fantasia is the gay indie of the year.
Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly
When the film narrows its focus from big questions addressed through overly broad strokes and instead zooms in on one-on-one interactions and the emotional power of a well-made musical sequence, it taps into a winning sweetness and poignancy.
Tim Cogshell, Boxoffice Magazine
So sincere, so earnest in it's desire that everything work out for the best for everyone, that one cannot help but give in to its earnestness and decide to like it, if not love it, despite its few failings.

Read all 15 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Thomas J

A production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream" wakes a town from their prejudices! Tanner Cohen performs outstandingly! Too bad there is too much "art" for the closed-minded conservatives that would learn and benefit from this movie most! lol Fun… More
A production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream" wakes a town from their prejudices! Tanner Cohen performs outstandingly! Too bad there is too much "art" for the closed-minded conservatives that would learn and benefit from this movie most! lol Fun movie!
Mark H

Whimsical musical about a student who, inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, whips up a magical potion from a flower that causes people to fall in love as he does. Although it occasionally wanders into camp territory, film remains a… More
Whimsical musical about a student who, inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, whips up a magical potion from a flower that causes people to fall in love as he does. Although it occasionally wanders into camp territory, film remains a memorable variation on the bard's classic. Earnest indie preaching acceptance, is underscored by a charismatic cast and lush musical numbers, beautifully sung. Together they highlight this original and frequently winning film.
jay n

Different to say the least, musical modern updating of A Midsummer Night's Dream with a gay twist, is enjoyable in parts but tries too hard for whimsy instead of being naturally whimsical.
Ken S

A juvenile fantasy of mediocrity. William S would be ashamed However I did get to meet Wendy Robie from Twin Peaks at the premiere, so that was pretty cool.
Daniel P

"Shakespeare was queer, too!" An early episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, called "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", had Xander perform a love potion, which backfiring - at first with welcome results - had… More
"Shakespeare was queer, too!" An early episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, called "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", had Xander perform a love potion, which backfiring - at first with welcome results - had seemingly the entire female population of Sunnydale suddenly in love with him. Typically for such a strongly written tv series, even this largely "throwaway" episode was wittily written, had some great ideas, and the after effects (especially Xander's relationship with a now betrayed Willow) were not ignored. Were the World Mine takes the central idea of a love potion, here magically found hidden within the text of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, and spins it by having the formula attract people of the same sex. Obviously filmed on a low budget, I can only imagine how fantastic this would have been with just one more rewrite and a few million dollars chucked at it. Nevertheless, this is largely a huge success, is massively enjoyable and plays very well with Shakespeare's words - mixing styles together in clever ways. It works well as a musical - with imaginatively staged and choreographed routines - as a charming romance, as a comedy drama, and as a big two fingers up towards outmoded and outdated homophobic institutions, such as religious organisations and boarding schools (you can send your hate mail to bitemyass@gmail.com). It's also beautifully photographed. Best of all is the above average acting from all involved, which really took my surprise. Tanner Cohen as lead Timothy not only has the angst and hormones down pat, but also has a great singing voice (reminiscent of Jay Brannan). But special mention should go to the three leading women - Wendy Robie as the drama teacher, Judy McLane as Timothy's mother and Zelda Williams as Timothy's best friend, Frankie, who are all excellent. I urge you to watch this with some of your gay fearing friends and make them squirm. Now, where can I get one of them flowers?!
Sylvester K

First of all, this is a really clever film, why wouldn't someone try to make a love potion? This is one of the sweetest independent film I've seen, the numbers were really good, sung by talented cast. Secondly, the acting by Wendy Robie saved the entire film, without her… More
First of all, this is a really clever film, why wouldn't someone try to make a love potion? This is one of the sweetest independent film I've seen, the numbers were really good, sung by talented cast. Secondly, the acting by Wendy Robie saved the entire film, without her this would be another cheap looking film, but she really proved her acting ability. The gay guys couldn't act straight, that's I am saying. I am sure we've all learnt something today. Clap your hands if we'd be friends.
Sunil J

Kinda reminded me of a gayer version of A Dirty Shame but a little smarter and more enjoyable.
Quinto W

The lead guy (I forgot to check his name) is an excellent protagonist, very talented actor, and it's also fantastic to see Wendy Robie (without her eye-patch), the songs are good and its a very creative movie; I just hate how they have to make it look like the guy and his mother… More
The lead guy (I forgot to check his name) is an excellent protagonist, very talented actor, and it's also fantastic to see Wendy Robie (without her eye-patch), the songs are good and its a very creative movie; I just hate how they have to make it look like the guy and his mother moved to the only town where no one has ever seen a gay guy because, of course, being a movie with a gay theme they have to treat like it was some Very Special Episode where everyone reacts to the news dramatically and then comes to terms with it by the end. I really hate that.