Straight Up

James Sweeney (2019)

15 Certificate

Review

Our Score

by James Luxford

Writer/director James Sweeney also stars as Todd, an openly gay man who begins to doubt his sexuality, leading him into a relationship with actress Rory (Katie Findlay) with whom he has almost everything in common. Dismantling the idea of love and examining its parts, this smart romantic comedy offers the notion that compatibility may be more important than passion in the long run. Of course, things are never that simple, and both characters face internal struggles. If the film's eventual destination feels a bit safe, the journey is fascinating, thanks to Sweeney's quirky charm, fast-paced delivery and permanently alarmed expression. Findlay balances his energy with a pragmatism that's endearing and relatable. Straight Up serves up identity politics in a surprising way, bringing fresh thinking to often tired genre tropes. It's a rom-com for people who think they've seen it all.

Summary

Todd is a neurotic Asian-American man living in Los Angeles who, despite the fact that he's been out for a number of years, has decided he may not be gay. He meets his match in Rory, a jaded starving acid-tongued actress, and the duo soon realise they may be each other's soulmate. Romantic comedy, starring Katie Findlay and James Sweeney, who also wrote the screenplay and directed.