What Matters Most

With the presence of Chad Allen, this B movie is raised to a higher level. I saw this actor perform on stage several years back and thought then he was very good. I have seen him lately in several films involving being a gay detective. But this one, made in 2001, and directed by Jane Cusumano, is exceptional. He brings touching honesty of a young man who is dominated by his father and kept from being his own identity. Chad gives a heartwarming and convincing performance. It's a shame that his admittance of being gay interferes with his work. Yet his courage to continue to work is commendable. Such a loss that some audiences can't look beyond the tabloids and judge an actor's work on his abilities and not his private life. Let us not forget John Barrymore's private life and yet he's considered one of the great actors of our time. Go figure.

Allen is backed with Polly Cole as his young girlfriend. And she fits perfectly with him on the acting side. They both seem to bring forth the right touch of emotions in the situation and they work well together. Also Marshall R. Teaque and Gretchen German as his parents gave terrific performances. Teague's scenes with Allen were electric. Tamara Clutterbuck plays the girls mother and does a wonderful job as well. All the actors were well chosen. I can't recommend this film highly enough.