Tony Vitale’s Kiss Me Guido, a farce in the mode of Seidelman’s Desperately Seeking Susan, plays gay and Italian American stereotypes against one another.
Grade: B (*** out of *****)
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Theatrical release poster
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The opening scene of the Sundance Film Fest entry sets up the great divide between the two sub-cultures. They are represented by a sexy pizza parlor worker, Frankie (former model Nick Scotti), and a gay stage director, Warren (Anthony Barrile).
The two men end up as roommates as a result of misunderstanding; Frankie naively believes that “GWM” in a Village Voice ad means “Guy With Money.” The ideological point of this liberal film, which ultimately perpetuates rather than really contests stereotypes, is to preach for co-existence, showing that gays and straights could be good friends and trust each others–despite variable sexual orientation and lifestyle.
Release by Paramount Classics on July 18, 1997, the low-budget film (about $750,000) found an audience and grossed $1,918,497 at the box-office, a respectable performance for a gay-themed indie.
Credits
Produced, directed by Tony Vitale
Produced by Ira Deutchman, Christine Vachon
Written by Tony Vitale
Cinematography Claudia Raschke
Production companies: Kardana Films, Capitol Films, Redeemable Features
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date: July 18, 1997
Running time: 86 minutes
Budget $740,000
Box office $1,918,497
