(Practically) Gay
After Alex's boyfriend breaks up with him at a wedding, another couple invites him in for a nightcap in their Airbnb's hot tub. When he starts to open up to him about his romantic troubles, they console him in more ways than one. Alex reckons with the feelings for women he's previously ignored out of a belief that living authentically as an out, bisexual male was impractical.
Review
Sometimes a breakup is just the start of something better
We have all seen movies where a breakup feels like the end of the world, but this short film takes a much more interesting turn. Alex is at a wedding, his boyfriend leaves him, and he is basically a mess. Then he meets this couple, Brice and Paige, and ends up at their Airbnb. It sounds like the setup for a typical thriller or something adult, but it is actually just a very honest look at how we hide parts of ourselves to make life easier for everyone else.
The vibe in the water
The whole scene in the hot tub is great because it does not feel scripted or stiff. The actors are really likable and they have this natural way of talking that makes you feel like you are just hanging out with them. Dan J. Johnson is great at playing that lost feeling, and the couple does not feel like they are trying to trick him or anything. They are just being human. It is cool to see a movie talk about being bisexual without it being a huge, dramatic moment. It is more about Alex realizing that trying to be practically gay was just a way to avoid explaining himself to others.
If you have ever felt like you are playing a role just to fit into the queer community or the straight world, this one will definitely hit home. It is short, sweet, and the conversation feels like something you would actually have with friends late at night after a few drinks. No big speeches, just real talk about why we choose the labels we do.