Screen Scene: “Gray Matters”

"Gray Matters"

Director Sue Kramer

Yari Film Group

3 1/2 Paws

Yari Film group As Oscar season officially closes, it’s time to celebrate with a film a little lighter than the average multi-cultural ensemble piece or Irish Mafia blood fest. “Gray Matters,” written and director by newcomer Sue Kramer, is the perfect solution to the winter movie blues. While it’s not in every traditional romantic comedy that both the guy and the girl find the same woman of their dreams, “Gray Matters” is far from the typical popcorn flick.

Starring Heather Graham and Tom Cavanagh as a 30-something sister and brother duo (Gray and Sam, respectively) a little too attached at the hip, the film revolves around the pair’s search for love and a lifetime of happiness. Unfortunately, when the hunt materializes for both in the form of “the girl of their dreams” Charlie, played by Bridget Moynahan, all bets are off and the siblings must fight to finally learn to stand on their own two feet.

Sam takes the easy way out as he and dream girl Charlie swap vows after six whole days of dating, but it is the story of his not-so-together sister that really matters. As Gray struggles with coming out as a truly independent and strong adult as well as coming out as the lesbian she had no idea she was, the story’s deeper message shines through.

Moynahan is respectable but far from extraordinary, while Cavanagh is winning and Graham surprisingly refreshing. The two create a strong familial chemistry in a relationship that could have very easily fallen on the wrong note; Sam and Gray are prompted to search for their soul mates when many in the film mistake their closeness for romance.

The movie has many goofy moments, including one too many 1940s dance sequences as well as a cameo by legendary disco singer Gloria Gaynor. There are, additionally, a number of unrealistically odd-ball characters such as Gray’s shrink Sydney, played by Sissy Spacek, and Alan Cumming’s utterly hopeless Gordy.

Overall, the story maintains a good balance between pure fluff and good fun. Much of the credit goes to the scene-stealing supporting cast, including Spacek, Cumming and the especially hilarious Molly Shannon.

This zany yet honest story of self-discovery in the 21st century is a true standout; there’s no gray area here.

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