Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
What Happens Next is about an older, closeted gay man who falls in love with a much younger man.
After CEO, and confirmed bachelor, Paul Greco (Jon Lindstrom) sells his company, he’s forced to retire at the age of fifty-five. Since he doesn’t know what to do with himself, his controlling sister, Elise (Wendie Malick), buys him a dog, which Paul names Mrs. Greco. Irene’s next step is to get Paul set up with Irene (Marie Marshall), a recently divorced woman.
While walking the dog in a nearby park, Paul runs into Andy (Chris Murrah), an ad writer in his early twenties. As Paul and Andy get to know each other, Paul begins to feel homosexual desires. Soon he starts watching gay porn and forming feelings for Andy. And with that, the story begins.
Some Thoughts:
What Happens Next has the look and feel of an uninspired made-for-TV movie. The script is so bad that not even Lindstrom and Malick can save it. It also doesn’t help that Murrah could use some acting classes.
Although Andy is in his early twenties, his apartment looks like it belongs to an elderly man. The dialog also tries too hard to make Andy sound hip and cool, forcing Murrah to deliver lines that even a seasoned actor would have difficulty making work.
On top of that, the lack of chemistry between Murrah and Lindstrom stretches credibility. Paul and Andy connect over a period of time, but their interest in each other feels choppy and uneven. Other than having dogs, they don’t share any common interests, nor do they seem to be interested in each other. Because of that, the romance feels like it comes out of nowhere. There’s also a twenty year age difference between them that’s never addressed.
The one shining light in this dull mess is a short scene where Elise is in a salon getting her nails painted by Ruthie (Megan Hilty). These are two women who understand comedy and know how to bring an over-the-top character to life. And while the salon appears more pedestrian than someone like Elise would go to, Hilty plays her part so well that it doesn’t matter. It is the one funny scene in the entire movie.
The Final Verdict:
What Happens Next is a gay romantic comedy that suffers from a thoughtless script and two lead characters who lack spark and inspiration. There are better things to watch.