Starring Heather Graham, Tom Cavanagh, Bridget Moynahan, Molly Shannon, Alan Cumming, and Sissy Spacek
Written By: Sue Kramer
Directed By: Sue Kramer
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Buy on Amazon.com link

So here’s a new twist to the romantic comedy genre: a brother and sister both in love with the same woman. Sounds sort of ridiculous, dunnit? Fortunately, first-time director Sue Kramer manages to save Gray Matters from being too hokey or too pigeon-holed into having a solely lesbian appeal. That said, this film is not nearly as good as it could be, and suffers from cliches, lack of cliches, and occasional utter dullness.

The film follows two close and nearly inseparable siblings, Gray (Heather Graham) and Sam (Tom Cavanagh), who are both searching for the right person. At this point, Gray just can’t keep a boyfriend. However, when both of them meet Charlie (Bridget Moynahan), Sam falls for her romantically while Gray just makes a quick friend….or so she thinks. When both women get drunk one night, they end up kissing, something that Charlie doesn’t remember. And then there are some introspective moments where Gray realizes she’s gay and in love with her brother’s wife. Despite a really efficient plotline established in the first half-hour, the film sort of begins to meander. Gray discusses her troubles with her therapist, a terribly misused Sissy Spacek, and a lovelorn Scottish cabbie played by Alan Cumming. Problem is that for most of the second half of the film, nothing really happens. What makes the first half so successful is the relationship between brother and sister, who for the first five or so minutes, you assume are a couple.

One of the fundamental problems of the film is that Gray is so continually inconsistent. She is created to be some sort of ditsy, neurotic, nostalgist (she an her brother share a love for old musicals) whose constant indecision is likely meant to be what has prevented her from realizing she’s gay. But the character is never all that convincing. Sometimes I can empathize, other times I feel like slapping her. Moreover, the most chemistry Graham manages is when working with Cavanagh, whose performance is the film’s best. While Gray goes through her voyage of self-discovery, Sam essentially disappears.

I commend the filmmakers for putting together a film that while not altogether original, features an interesting plotline and a realistic look at sexual awakening. However, as a comedy it’s not that funny, as a romantic film it’s not altogether romantic, and as an indie drama it looks far too polished. It’s a good try, but ultimately, it comes up flat.

Features:
Making of Featurette
Theatrical Trailer

Audio:
5.1 Dolby Surround

Video:
1.85:1 Widescreen

Subtitles:

Favorite Scenes:
Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 96 minutes
Extras Rating:
Overall Rating: