You might not realize it from watching it, but “Things Like This” (Shout!) is both the writing and directing debut of actor Max Talisman (who also plays the lead character). A self-described “plus-sized queer,” Talisman has made a movie that takes the gay rom-com to a whole new level in the name of representation.
Zack Anthony (Talisman), hereafter known as Zack A, doesn’t have much luck in love. As a trick is leaving Zack A’s apartment (with no plans to return), he compares him to Winnie the Pooh, saying that he’s “adorable with a tummy, and he never has pants on.” Later that morning, sitting on a park bench with his half-brother Kenny (Charlie Tahan), with whom he lives, Zack A is told it’s time for him to figure out his life. He can no longer use the excuse of waiting to get his vampire book published.
Meanwhile, Zack Mandel (Joey Pollari), hereafter known as Zack M, works as the assistant to dragon-lady talent agent Margie (Cara Buono). His (initially kooky) co-worker Ava (Jackie Cruz), constantly asks him to go for drinks after work, but he always says no because he has prior commitments with his boring and predictable boyfriend Eric (Taylor Trensch).
But Zack A and Zack M’s lives are about to change when they meet-cute at a gallery opening. After the initial spark, Zack M realizes he doesn’t love Eric. This occurs at the most inopportune time, as Eric proposes to him in a restaurant. This is soon followed by another inopportune moment, when Zack A accompanies Zack M to the emergency room after possibly breaking his nose. So, yes, their first date technically takes place at a hospital. And, no, Zack M’s nose isn’t broken.
Could things be turning around for the Zacks? Zack A’s actress friend Chloe (Margaret Berkowitz) arranges a meeting with a publisher for him! Zack M’s boss, Margie, meets with a potential client that he recommended to her, and she approves! Neither of the Zacks gets injured on their second date. Quite the opposite, they discover that not only did they both attend the same sleepaway camp at the same time when they were in middle school, but they were each other’s first kisses!
Just as things were beginning to go well, drama lurked around the corner. Zack M gets fired. His homophobic father, Paul (Eric Roberts), refuses to help him. When Zack M goes to his ex’s apartment to get his stuff, there is an unpleasant confrontation. Worst of all is that Zack M seriously doubts whether he deserves to even be in a relationship.
Thankfully, both Zack’s have supportive people in their lives to help them work through the situation. Zack A has his grandmother, Portia (Barbara Barrie), Kenny, Chloe, and Peter (Danny Chavariagga). Zack M has savvy Ava and his wise-beyond-her-years kid sister Hannah (Romy Reiner).
But wait! Talisman doesn’t just write, direct, and act, he also sings, as we learn when Zack A belts out a cover of Jack’s Mannequin’s “Dark Blue” at Hanna’s school dance, where Zack M just happens to be a chaperone. This is one of a few examples where self-indulgence gets the better of the movie and might turn off some viewers. Nevertheless, there are enough rom-com plot twists to keep things interesting for the most part.
Rating: C
