Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Things Like This a gay romance about two men with low self-esteem who begin dating only to realize they had met in summer camp when they were kids.
Zack Anthony (Max Talisman) is a struggling writer having trouble finding love because he’s a plus size man. When he runs into Zack Mandel (Zoey Pollari) at a bar and is unable to pay for his drink, Zack Mandel picks up his tab. To show his appreciation, and because he finds Zack Mandel attractive, he offers to buy him a drink later that week. The two make eye contact, and it’s obvious that they’re attracted to each other. The only problem is that Zack Mandel has a boyfriend, Eric (Taylor Trensch).
The next day Eric gives Zack the lunch he’d packed him for work, then moves in for a kiss; Mandel gives him his cheek, then leaves. On his way to work, Zack throws away the lunch. While at the office, he tells his co-worker, Ava (Jackie Cruz), about meeting Zack Anthony. Ava asks him why he stays with Eric, who she thinks is a bore. She also thinks Zack isn’t happy and could find a better boyfriend.
Before Zack Mandel is to meet Zack Anthony, he goes out to dinner with Eric. Zack doesn’t care for the restaurant, but he doesn’t say anything because Eric does. While they’re looking over the menu, Eric gets down on one knee and proposes to him. Shocked, Zack quickly says no, that he won’t marry him, then proceeds to breaks up with him before leaving to meet up with Zack. While at the bar, he tells Zack Anthony that he’d broken up with Eric. And with that, the romance begins.
Some Thoughts:
My biggest problem with Things Like This is that it opens with a powerful scene where Zack Anthony is body shamed by one of his sexual partners, but never fully commits to exploring the subject. If the film isn’t going to tackle the body shaming, why does it open with it?
I wish this was the only issue I have with the movie, but it’s not. The pacing is off, and the story often feels as if it can’t figure out what to do next. Most of this is because it refuses to fully explore the driving force behind Zack Anthony’s self-esteem issues. While the opening scene hints that the main cause is his weight, his lack of income also plays into it. And sadly, neither are delved into. We never find out why he refuses to look for employment or how he’s handled negative reactions to his weight over the years.
The same cannot be said for Zack Mandel, who we get to understand in detail. And since the story only delves into one of the two men’s fears and weaknesses, their romance feels a bit forced. Their only connection is that they’d kissed when they were kids in summer camp.
However, despite its many faults, it can be entertaining. This is mostly due to the side characters, particularly Ava. Her quirky fashion sense and personality make her perfect for Mandel’s gal pal. However, Ava knows a lot about him only because they’ve worked together for two years. They’re not friends, which Zack makes very clear. So, instead of being used to fill in Mandel’s romantic past, her purpose is to show his fear of intimacy. It’s an odd use for this character, but Jackie Cruz makes it work.
The Final Verdict:
Things Like This has all the necessary plot devices of a romance yet feels a bit contrived and unfulfilling. Although there are some fun, quirky characters, none of them are good enough to make this an easy movie to recommend.