Is it progress to say that gay rom-coms can be as silly and stupid as straight ones? That’s the dilemma one encounters when watching My Fake Boyfriend, a superficial entry into the world of romantic comedy that has no business being as enjoyable as it is. The thin material, stretched even thinner by an overabundance of jarring needle drops and conspicuous product placement, is saved by its trio of lead actors … but only just barely.
A decent premise My Fake Boyfriend‘s setup is goofy but promising: After trying unsuccessfully to move on from his vain soap opera actor boyfriend, Andrew enlists the aid of his best friend, Jake , and Jake’s girlfriend, Kelly , to disentangle himself from his emotionally abusive ex, Nico.
What makes the film work A key element to the film’s charm is the lead actors, who elevate the material that could have been rendered unwatchable by less charismatic performers. As Andrew, Lonsdale possesses a vulnerability and honesty rare in romantic comedy leads, gay or straight. You’re invested in his emotions, even if they are being manipulated by a plot that, at times, strains creditability.
Some very real flaws Actors can only do so much though, and it’s in other areas, specifically the uneven direction and paper-thin script, where My Fake Boyfriend is a drag. The director, Rose Troche, showed a knack for modern screwball comedy with the farce Bedrooms & Hallways two decades ago, and that peeks through in some sequences in My Fake Boyfriend, particularly in the creation of Cristiano in the first act.