In 2000, queer cinema got a much-needed breath of fresh air with the release of The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy.
The film followed a group of friends in West Hollywood as they navigate friendships, romance, heartbreak and career ups-and-downs. It stood out against the offerings of gay stories in film at the time since it focused on traditional rom-com storylines rather than heavier themes like AIDS, coming out, and sex.
The film also featured early performances from actors that would go on to have established careers like Timothy Olyphant, Billy Porter, and Zach Braff (plus a supporting turn from the Jennfier Coolidge). Not to mention, it’s written and directed by Greg Berlanti, one of the most successful and powerful gay creative executives in working in Hollywood today, whose next big-screen romance Fly Me To The Moonhits theaters this summer.
Scroll on below for 20 facts you may not know about this groundbreaking comedy…
James
My husband and I still use “meanwhile. . .” to point out a hot guy at the store or in public. We figure, if they get it, they’ll be flattered, but most would never get it.
wikidBSTN
One of my favorites – funny, sad, nuanced, great cast, well-acted, with very good production values. One of those films that makes you smile when you think about it.
theaterbloke
I always looked on this film as being what the American version of QAF should have been. There is an almost one to one correspondence between the characters of both works but the Broken Hearts guys are written better than their Pittsburgh counterparts. And the script is more succinct which enhances the story. OASN, I also find myself saying “meanwhile” when I spot a hot guy.