The One (II) (2011) User Reviews

Mixed feelings on this one.

[werewolvesrcuddly · 6/10 · 11 May 2014]

I really loved how this was moving along as a feel good movie, although he could have told his soon to be wife, "hey honey, we need to talk" before she got outfitted with a wedding dress.

You can't let what's expected in life be a guide for your true emotions. Daniel knew exactly that he was struggling with trying to fit in with what he was taught was the norm for society, but he should have held strong to his internal emotions.

Yes Daniel you blew your chance at true happiness in this movie. I don't care about him pushing a baby stroller down the path at the end of the movie to make us think everything will be alright. It won't, because you will always have that feeling of the one true love you let get away because of what you thought society was telling you what you should be like.

We need "The One 2" to close up this mess, bring Daniel and Tommy back together after a long search for each other, bring the ex wife into the fold to mend fences and use this opportunity to show that two dads can also help raise a baby. Sure life isn't always fair, but there are more misery gay movies out there than sunset walking hand holding endings in general.

A great little romantic comedy with surprising depth--UNTIL THE END

[jtdb · 6/10 · 20 July 2011]

All I'm going to say is, I've rarely enjoyed a movie this much that makes such a serious, serious misstep in its final moments--especially after blatantly leading the audience to expect something (based on several key plot points). It's not just disappointing, it was heartbreaking and vaguely insulting, and the audience I saw it with was vocal in their displeasure and confusion. One more shot--one more!--would drag this C- movie up to an A- For the record, Ian Novick is absolutely wonderful in a tricky role as a party boy who winds up with his heart on his sleeve--it's a masterful little sketch of a shallow man suddenly forced into deeper waters. Please fix this movie ASAP--Novick's performance deserves it!

This film did not waste my time.

[jromanbaker · 7/10 · 26 September 2020]

Since the beginning of the 21st century there has been an abundance of independent Gay/Queer films. For the first time in film history this has been able to happen due to many complex reasons that I will not go into here. This is a good thing, but the bad thing is that most Gay men outside of film festivals do not get to see them. DVD has helped distribution, but if you are living in homophobic countries this can be of no help. At the limit men in these countries can ( not everywhere ) have access to male on male pornography. That is like living on Pizza when what you need is a nourishing, fulfilling meal. Gay/Queer film can be nourishing and give hope. I decided to choose 15 or 20 at random and to see what they had to offer to those privileged enough to have access to them in a world that basically ( famous critics, usually male take note ) does not give a toss if they exist or not. End of sermon. I began with ' The One '. It had been solitary on the shelves for too long. I can understand having read the other reviews why it has caused quite a bit of confusion, and without giving spoilers on content I consider it has a lot to say about confusion in sexual relationships. The direction was good, and I did not think either of the male actors were planks of wood. Both gave decent performances, and the ending for me was disappointing. This is a subjective view as I would have liked another ending, and ideally the film could have lasted a half hour longer. The complexities were rushed too much towards a conclusion that I can see was frustrating to some and that includes me. So why was I unhappy about it ? The film hinges on the ' love ' ( debatable ) between two mature, intelligent men and a good extra half hour could have thrashed out a bit more the cowardice and romantic lies that led to the final scene. Also Gay men need happier endings and I think these two male characters in another scenario could have given one. Mainstream Gay film ( not always ) tend towards the sad ending and they get good reviews. The reasons ( political and social ) seem more at ease with crocodile tears endings for the sadder approach. A kind of ' well, it had to happen like that given it was two people of the same sex '. Independent film is freer to choose and of course sad endings can happen in them as well, but they are not quite so obligatory. They can also show what really happens in sex between men which mainstream films shy away from. That leads to another disappointment in ' The One ', and that is the rather unconvincing physicality between the two male leads. Hot on emotion they were less hot on what cements a rounded romantic/sexual encounter. Is this the fault of a tepid approach by the director or the hide the penis approach of the actors. It is not that I particularly want to see what the male has between his legs, but it is kind of basic between two men, plus the freedom of independent film to not be so coy. To sum up: the film is well made, good acting but it needed more flesh as it were on the scenario towards the end and please male actors loosen up a bit more in a film that involves more realistic love/sex making. Reading again the other reviews I can see why it satisfied some and why it disappointed others. At least the film opened up discussion and in the good light of that it succeeds despite the fact I was on the disappointed side.

Most cringe-worthy movie since "Hostel"

[scootmandutoo · 3/10 · 28 June 2012]

I just watched this at a monthly gay film fest and I have to admit, I haven't turned away from the screen this much since the brutal scenes in "Hostel." I spent much of the movie watching through my spread fingers. I didn't feel too out of place, because my partner was with me and he actually thought it was worse than I did. Not quite as bad as some glbt-themed movies can be, like, say, the entire 'Eating Out' series. At least, in those cases, the films oozed so much superficiality you never expected much. This film actually has higher production values. Some of the performances are even borderline decent.

The problem is with the script and all the clichés and the fact that these characters are so creepy that they are entirely unlikable...and then the film leaves you with an ending that makes you feel you just gave up 90 minutes of your life...for what?

This one was a cross between the "Eating Out" movies and "Making Love," so we dubbed it "Making Out," which certainly sounds better than "Eating Love."

I guess I don't understand why one of the protagonists that we are supposed to sympathize with is a creepy stalker/pathological liar, who preaches true love and then just uses someone he cares nothing about to propose marriage to, simply as a revenge ploy. And the other guy is not only cheating on his bride with another man, but the scriptwriter gives wifey a back story of a woman with abandonment issues whose father walked out on her. And then....let's her get pregnant! You are kidding me, right? Torture, I tell you.

And forget that the wife is as clueless as a bag of rocks and has a clairvoyant girlfriend who can spot a gay man a mile away and then even sleep with them, because...well...it is theatre and a woman has to have sex with someone! Arrrrrggggggghhhhh.

But the really torturous scenes involved a bachelor party and scenes with mom and dad and cigars and....oh it's too painful to relive it all.

I will say this....it certainly had us talking. Just not in the way the filmmaker intended.

ps.....afterward, consider how well Jon Prescott's acting resembled a plank of wood. He captures being an inanimate object as well as just about anyone I have ever seen.

Well acted, poorly written with an unsatisfying ending

[aretel · 3/10 · 3 July 2014]

This film starts off well giving me an element of hope that this film might actually be good. But just as my expectations are lifted, the sledge hammer comes down hard crushing all hope of this film being somewhat entertaining.

The acting is good, but the writing doesn't do the actors justice. Even the best of actors couldn't make this film believable or plausible. There are too many stereo types written into the script which makes it tired, dated and so irritating to watch.

The casting was well done which was the only redeeming factor that made the film palatable to watch.

The ending of this film was, let me just say, very incomplete and unsatisfying. There really was no resolution except for the obvious.

A total bust in my opinion.

Absolutely exhausting to watch everybody TRYING so hard...

[oofyprosser-94487 · 3/10 · 29 August 2017]

Got to chime in with everything scootmandutoo said. I don't think I can remember a single moment in this whole movie that I found emotionally convincing, or even plausible. Was it the hackneyed writing, the extremely far-fetched situation (yeah, I guess there may be guys out there from the Ivy League-Choate-Amherst-Wall Street law firm set that actually stay deep in the closet at this late date, if only to clinch their places in Daddy's country club and will, but I just don't travel in those exalted circles), or the unbelievably _earnest_ efforts made by all the actors other than the male leads? No, they all tried so damn hard it wore me out to watch them. And then you have Tommy and Daniel, whose scenes together were like a torrid (or torrid one minute, chilly the next) love affair between two planks of lumber. Did sparks fly? No, but sawdust must have piled up in the corners. Lawd have mercy, chillun, at least try to pretend you're feeling SOMETHING, not just standing around waiting for your next dividend check!

Very rarely do I regret time spent watching any movie whatever which claims to speak the Life of the Gay Male. This time I did. Folks, really don't waste your time when there are pictures like "Big Eden" and "Parting Glances" and (the hilarious) "Sordid Lives" waiting to be seen and re-seen. Listen to me. I'm your mothah. I know about these things.

Better Than You May Thinkl

[hjames-97822 · 8/10 · 21 August 2015]

This is Jon Prescott's film. And he is perfect. His Daniel is the ultimate WASP living a totally closeted life. He is a total emotional fraud, living in constant fear of being exposed. He reunites with former classmate Tommy and they have s torrid affair. Are they in love? Yes. But Tommy is as big a fake as Daniel and their love, while genuine, can not last.

Real love is built on truth and honesty and these two have neither. Daniel's wife Jen is clueless. She is totally oblivious to the fact that not only is her husband gay, but he's having a torrid and ongoing affair with Tommy. It all seems to hit her at once near the end of the film. It's as if someone finally hit her over the head.

The character of Tommy's mother is poorly cast and totally unnecessary. Daniel's father is played as a country club Yoda. And I have no idea why someone named Michael Billy is in this picture at all.

The ending is true to form. Liars and frauds do not win in love. Sometimes there are no happy endings. Watch it for the interplay between the two men.

Pendulum swing between clichés and implausibility

[dc_matt · 3/10 · 14 December 2013]

There is some really good acting here. But the best acting is is done by secondary players, because they have the more plausible story lines. The worst acting is by the two lead actors, but the fault may mostly be due to the implausible storyline given to them. It was insane to think that a deep and thoughtful philosophy major would be so clueless about himself after so much experience in school, grad school, and life in the city. But even more insane to think he'd fall in love with a selfish, egotistical liar who borders on the criminally obsessed. The story has too many scenes and actions for which you cannot know what the character's motivation is. At one moment the closeted man is completely afraid of man man sex , the next second he's all comfortable and cuddly, and then wham he's nervous again. No continuity of character from scene A to scene B, so no chance for eventual character development from Beginning to End.

Tommy fakes us out....puts one over on.......

[arizona-philm-phan · 25 October 2011]

.......almost all of us. (Read on to find out how).

(( This isn't as well done as "Shelter".....nor quite as good as "Latter Days".....BUT it's not far off their mark ))

A CAST OF ENGAGING CHARACTERS (making up the Devilish and Age-old TRIANGLE):

• Tommy Miller (Guy #1) - (played by: Ian Novick) ---- To date, a smaller parts actor. Yet, this film shows he merits so much more....if nothing else, for the cute hunkiness and honesty he brings to Tommy....a Guy who grabs our hearts....a Guy who's In Pursuit. "T" is Open...he's Out...knows the man he wants....and he takes us along on the joyride to get him. He's an upfront Guy, who tells it like it is. A Mister Personality....most definitely deserving of that capital "P". Of our two male lead characters, Tommy's "The One" you're most likely to fall for. And you will have a ball while doing so.

• Daniel (Guy #2) - (played by: Jon Prescott) ---- Lots of TV series work....yet with a plum film role in 2010's gay-related, "Howl", playing the James Franco character's oft-time lover. Here, in this story, he's playing the built and pretty Daniel....an emotionally torn man, suffering a severe case of "Closetophobia". Perhaps now's a good time for the question: WHO is the love of this man's life? Is it the fiancé and wife-to-be? Or is it, perhaps....what's that Guy's name, again? Oh, and you should watch for what is, to me, the somewhat puzzling way in which Prescott plays this role: facially expressive with other characters in the film.....BUT, strangely, often detached looking / fairly expressionless in his scenes with Tommy.

(( AN ASIDE ABOUT DANIEL ---- Did ANY of you out there, having seen this film, realize how very many guys Daniel's life represents? A man, like so many of us, who becomes engaged...marries and fathers a child....all the while never facing up to who he is sexually. How many of us are living this kind of life, one which Family...Society...expects of us? A life which is not really our own...not who we really are? Should it be at all surprising how many of us are Daniels ))

• Jen (The One Stuck in the Middle) - (played by: Margaret Anne Florence) ---- Quite a bit of TV work...with 3 or so lesser movies thrown into the mix. Jen is a pert and pretty gal, as both fiancée and bride. A level headed woman, very much in love with her man. YET, she's a someone who unknowingly comes to meet and grow quite friendly with "The Other Man". In doing so, Florence pulls it off in a most believable manner. Even though you and I are watching her through guys' eyes....she'll MAKE us deeply feel both her happiness and her despair. Be prepared.

A LAST THOUGHT (I told you at the beginning to watch for this):

• For those of you UNhappy with the way in which this film SEEMINGLY ends....in a less than romantic way (yes, I've looked at your reviews and displeasure here and there)....just read on.

• Aaah, yes. So, Tommy...Our Mister Upfront Guy. See...right about here is where you movie watchers should be remembering...recalling that really important thing he's already told us (more than once). What? What is it, you ask? ....THAT HE IS IN LOVE...IN TRUE LOVE..(something he's also told the object of his affection). SO...you doubters out there....put all such thoughts aside. For there is NO way in which a man like the Tommy we've come to know...with his depth of feelings...would just walk away from "The One". From that person who he just learned has again become available. NO way in which a caring sort like Tommy would leave another man waiting at the altar. Unless.....UNLESS he has very definite plans to reenter the life of "The One" (though he may wait a bit...just to make a Someone squirm). And if you think otherwise about this, then "T" has, indeed, Totally Faked you out. So....BUCK UP!...CHEER UP!......in the REAL ending of this film, you're going to get exactly what you were hoping for. HAPPY viewing!

PS: If you're not starving....it'd be worth your bucks to buy an All-Regions DVD player and try these 3 great little films (probably for more mature Gays): "Four More Years" /// "He Is My Girl" /// "Different From Whom?" (I've done reviews).

Ruined by the ending

[molli-barnes · 5/10 · 2 October 2019]

What the heck was that ending.

It wasn't too bad up until then, but now I'm just mad.

Absolutely loved this one

[itsvivek4u · 8/10 · 11 July 2011]

I absolutely loved this film. There are more than one reasons why I did. The story is very close to my heart and it was handled so beautifully. Not once did I feel bored in the film or wanted it to end. It might not have the highest or best of the production values but it was 100 times better than the usual crap US cinema throws at us in the name of gay cinema. The story is pretty simple actually, something you have seen before quite a few times but the treatment is very different here and so many surprises thrown, it is just too good.

Openly gay Tommy, reconnects with his old classmate from college Daniel in a sports bar. Tommy always had a thing for Daniel and surprisingly one that day they end up sleeping with each other. Tommy is happy but soon Daniel announces that he is engaged to Jen and will definitely marry her. Daniel has a perfect life with perfect job, parents, career and soon to be wife. He cannot screw that up. Tommy is now head over heels in love with him. He also happens to meet Jen as they all workout in the same gym. He makes up a story forcing Daniel to join him for a weekend vacation where they spent very good time and get physical again. Tommy thinks maybe has a chance now but Daniel again mentions that there is no way he is leaving Jen. The two men meet once in a while while Tommy trying to persuade Daniel to not get married because he clearly loves Tommy more than Jen but Daniel would have none of it. They eventually end up getting married and Tommy is left heart-broken. Meetings between Daniel and Tommy decrease but Jen grows fonder of Tommy specially after she realizes that he is gay after a failed attempt to hook him up with her girlfriend. Things are moving fine. Tommy is finding hard to get Daniel out of his mind. Couple of times when Daniel meets Tommy is his aptt and tries to have sex, Tommy refuses because it is not the right thing for Jen. A few months later Jen announces that she is pregnant. This changes everything for Tommy. He realizes there is no more chance and moves on with his life. In the meantime, Daniel has totally devoted himself to work. Very close to the delivery date, Tommy meets daniel and Jen in the park with his new boyfriend and announces them that he is getting married just so that he can hurt Daniel and hurt he does because the way Daniel and Tommy look at each other tells Jen the entire story. She leaves Daniel and later reassures him to be his friend. Daniel comes out to his family which very surprisingly remain supportive. Now when he wants to go back to Tommy, he has already left. Daniel is all alone. The movie ends beautifully with Daniel spending time with his daughter alone in the park hoping to maybe find love.

Such a sweet film. The scenes just passed by my eyes all over again while writing this. Chemistry between all 3 characters was awesome. From Tommy and Daniel's reconnecting to awkward sex, to love to betrayal and getting married, everything was just perfect. Tommy showed good skills of a man who cannot get his love however hard he try. At the same time, Daniel did an excellent job as a man who wants a perfect so called normal life and even though he clearly likes Tommy, cannot do anything about it. His reaction when Tommy introduces his new boyfriend is very good. It shows that he somehow expected that Tommy will alway wait for him but people move on. SImilarly, when Jen realizes the whole truth, her reaction was just right. Not over board but something how people would react in real life. There were so many scenes that I can clearly remember even now. The subject of a gay man falling for a straight jock as been done to death but it is the screenplay and direction and the way the characters are portrayed which makes so much of a difference. The film had a right mix of comic elements as well and thank god had no stereotypes associated.

I absolutely loved it. Even though predictable at times, this film meant a lot to me. (8/10)

"The One" is truthful in its message - do not take people for granted.

[sinnerofcinema · 10/10 · 29 March 2014]

There is much to be said for this film. It is deep and filled with lots of unexpected turns. I specially enjoyed this film because it dives into the realm of real raw emotion-just the way people feel and think. The way the main character is conflicted about his values vs his true emotions mixed with societal/family expectations was developed very well. The film is also a very intelligent, well crafted piece of real life and about how things work out due to unforeseen circumstances. It is also a cautionary tale of what happens when you allow true relationships to linger for too long without really showing the way you feel. People, as with life, move on, so the message to the story is clear. Do not take people for granted because once that relationship that was special is gone, it is hard to regress back to how things were. In short, "The One" is about living life to the fullest with all of its consequences. Definitely worth watching.