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Jeffrey (1995 film)

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Jeffrey
Original theatrical poster
Directed byChristopher Ashley
Screenplay byPaul Rudnick
Based onJeffrey
by Paul Rudnick
Produced byMark Balsam
Victoria Maxwell
Mitchell Maxwell
Paul Rudnick
Starring
CinematographyJeffrey J. Tufano
Edited byCara Silverman
Music byStephen Endelman
Distributed byOrion Classics
Release date
  • August 18, 1995 (1995-08-18)
Running time
92 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$3.5 million[1]

Jeffrey is a 1995 American romantic comedy film directed by Christopher Ashley, based on the play of the same name by Paul Rudnick, who also wrote the screenplay adaptation. The film stars Steven Weber, Michael T. Weiss, Patrick Stewart, and Bryan Batt.

Plot

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The story takes place in Manhattan during the height of the AIDS epidemic and revolves around Jeffrey (Steven Weber), a gay man who has sworn off sex because of the epidemic. It is not so much that Jeffrey is afraid of dying, but that he is afraid that he will fall in love with someone who is bound to die; thus, his celibacy is about sex and about relationships in general. Almost immediately thereafter, Jeffrey meets Steve (Michael T. Weiss), a hunky, charming HIV-positive man. He experiences an emotional conflict as he must face his fear in order to accept love, often breaking the fourth wall to do so. With the help of friends, interior decorator Sterling (Patrick Stewart) and his partner Darius (Bryan Batt), as well as a cast of cameos – including Nathan Lane and Sigourney Weaver – he is able to overcome his fears and begin a relationship with Steve.[2]

Cast

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Cameos

Production

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Filming took place from July 11 to August 14, 1994.[3]

Critical reception

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Reviews to Jeffrey were positive, as it holds a 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 31 reviews. The critical consesus reads, "Jeffrey offends as readily as it amuses, but an outstanding performance from Patrick Stewart keeps it from going completely off the rails."[4]

Caryn James from The New York Times wrote, “For anyone who missed the play, the film offers a strong echo of its best qualities and a couple of truly hilarious moments.”[2] Patrick Stewart got great acclaim for his supporting role, winning several critics awards, and even generated Oscar buzz, but failed to secure a nomination.

The film grossed $3.488 million in the U.S.[1]

Home media

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Jeffrey was released on VHS after its initial theatrical run and on DVD in 2003. Shout! Factory released the film on Blu-ray in 2019.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Jeffrey". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Alexander, Ryll (2014). "Essential Gay Themed Films To Watch, Jeffrey". Gay Essential. Archived from the original on January 7, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2014.
  3. ^ "Jeffrey (1995)". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  4. ^ "Jeffrey". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
  5. ^ Jeffrey Blu-ray. Blu-ray.com.
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References
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