As a fan of the novel, I had high standards for this literary adaptation. Published in 1988, Michael Chabon's "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" is an essential volume in any gay library. It's protagonist sleeps with both women and men -- and doesn't identify sexually -- a character 20 years ahead of his time. While Mysteries of Pittsburgh -- the film -- is far from perfect, it's entertaining and doesn't put the lead men into the closet. Art Bechstein (a very adorable Jon Foster) has just graduated from college and he's got the summer to study for his stockbrokers license exam and work at a bookstore. Art is the son of a gangster (Nick Nolte) who doesn't want his son near his dangerously unsavory business. Here's the first oddity some of you might have noticed -- Art Bechstein is a Jewish name -- while Jon Foster can pass for Jewish - Nick Nolte is most decidedly not Jewish. Art's sleeping with his supervisor Phlox (Mena Suvari) who thinks the relationship is more than it is. Art's summer goes from routine to insane when he meets Jane (Sienna Miller) and Cleveland (the ever-fearless Peter Sarsgaard). A tenuous family unit Cleveland is a small-time hood with gambling debts and Jane is a little rich girl on an adventure. Immediately there is a sexual tension between the three leads. Jane, Art and Cleveland all flirt with one another until it all explodes. Yes, there are male-male kisses and yes the two men sleep together -- that's all we'll tell you.
While I didn't see any amazing chemistry between the cast members, it works nonetheless. For the first time in a while we've got an indie with some star power and gay cred.
While I didn't see any amazing chemistry between the cast members, it works nonetheless. For the first time in a while we've got an indie with some star power and gay cred.
