Any
Day Now
"Any Day Now" a favorite from the
recent Key West Film Festival, returns to Key West. Directed by Travis Fine
(The Space Between) and produced by notable Key Wester Anne O' Shea (who
appears as Mrs. Lowell) "Any Day Now" is based on a 1970s child
adoption case involving a gay couple.
Alan
Cumming stars as Rudi, a drag performer that becomes enthralled by Paul, a
closeted and slightly geekish DA played by Garret Dillahunt. Across from his
shoebox apartment, Rudi sees Marco, ( Isaac Leyva) a boy with Down Syndrome
huddling in his apartment at midday in dirty clothes under an onslaught of
rock. Gradually he learns that Marco is seriously neglected by his druggy and
bigoted mother (Jamie Anne Allman).
In
a slightly unconvincing act, Rudi takes matters in his own hands immediately
and pursues taking custody of Marco, with whom he has a friendly rapport and barges into Paul's office.
After
some theatrical upheaval which does ring true, Paul decides to handle Rudi's
efforts and he becomes his lawyer. After being initially shot down at a
hearing, Paul asks Rudi to move in with him, thereby strengthening both the
case and their relationship.
"Any
Day Now" follows in the tradition of naturalistic films such as
"Kramer Vs. Kramer". It has strong character development and although
Rudi might seem a cliche to some, Cumming has so much spirit and verve in the
role to make his character solid. Rudi is no Plastic Drama Queen, but rather a
dimensional person.
The
real spark of the film though is Isaac Leyva as Marco, who plays his character
with a refreshing lack of sentiment and melodrama despite its understandably sad story. Cumming
and Leyva illustrate a visceral and utterly believable friendship and love from
a step-parent to a son and vice versa. Most enjoyable of all is seeing Marco as
a real kid, full of comedy and fire in a story that eschews the route of so
many sappy TV movies, at least as far as Marco and Rudi go. The two actors
share a dynamic pull that transcends the story's "do the right thing"
march. The film also has a rich historical feel of West Hollywood during the
1970's. This gives a touch of lightness and realism to a series of courtroom scenes.
Strangely,
despite its undeniable sadness which is very real "Any Day Now" does
not dwell in its tragedies. Instead, like "Kramer Vs. Kramer", the
story focuses on the humor, the strong bonds and the grace of its characters,
however in peril they become by our societal and legal prejudices.
"Any
Day Now" is courageous in its lack of a happy ending, and more poetic for
it: the last image we see is of a soft footed Marco, alone to face a passive
cement sky.
Write
Ian at redtv_2005@yahoo.com
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