Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34586 in DVD
• Brand: Broadway
• Released on: 1999-11-23
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Color, Dolby, DVD, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Customer Reviews

A Grand Gesture
The last time I looked, a romantic comedy was supposed to be fun, improbable, unlikely, amusing, and topped off by a happy ending. BROADWAY DAMAGE fits the bill perfectly and will give you a pleasant and diverting evening's entertainment. If you liked TRICK or even the much-loved BEAUTIFUL THING, you're gonna love THIS movie, too!

Marc and Robert are a couple of real charmers, David offers a remarkably pleasant deceiving diversion, and quirky Cynthia pursues a glamorous carreer (perhaps a little over-long and over-done in fact). It all adds up to a lot of fun with even a few surprises in the middle of events that admittedly are somewhat predictable.

My favorite scenes are Robert's beautiful "grand gesture" and when Robert says, "Don't play with me, Marc" in the middle of one of the screen's sweetest kisses ever. I find myself playing them both on my DVD copy over and over again!

If you want realism, tragedy, or drama, watch The History Channel, "America's Most Wanted," or any number of available gay dramas on the market. But if you like fluff that makes you feel good and makes gay life look like it's a LITTLE fun after all, then you'll appreciate this little gem of a romantic comedy. Happy viewing!

If Streisand Were A Gay Man...
I couldn't help but to think of Barbra Streisand as I watched this film. In her best performances, Barbra played the role of the ugly duckling who falls in love with the handsome leading man (Omar Shariff, Robert Redford, Jeff Bridges). This movie follows a similar formula, where Robert is the ugly duckling and Marc is the handsome leading man.

Robert has two dreams: becoming a songwriter and landing Marc. Likewise, Marc also has two dreams: landing a role on Broadway, and finding a handsome boyfriend. In addition to their friendship, Robert and Marc have one thing in common: "girlfriend" Cynthia, who is trying to find a job (one job in particular, that is). Marc and Cynthia decide to share an apartment. One day, while staring out the window of their new apartment, Marc discovers the man of his dreams (a musician with stunning good looks, of course).

Marc explains to Robert the concept of the "Grand Gesture". Its when you swallow your pride, buy flowers or something, and let that special person know you're in love with them. Easy for Marc to say, since he is good looking and popular with the gents. Not so easy for Robert, who gets turned down by the card store cashier. Humiliated, Robert gives up on good-looking boyfriends.

Here is where the story varies from the typical Streisand plot. While ugly-duckling Streisand becomes the beautiful swan by using her voice, her talent or (in the most fictional of plots) a makeover, Robert stays plain old Robert. Can Marc see past Robert's dull exterior? Can Marc see past the musician's beautiful exterior? Will Robert get the courage to do the "Grand Gesture" to Marc?

Those are the questions to be answered in Broadway Damage. By the way, what's with the title? Alhough the movie explains what "broadway damage" is, I'm not sure it was the best choice for the title. Personally, I would have chosen "The Grand Gesture".

Back to Streisand... If you love "The Mirror has Two Faces", you'll love Broadway Damage. If you hated "Mirror", chances are you'll still like Broadway Damage, anyway.

a real hit
Like a good Broadway show, this film has it all: a great-looking, talented cast; a clever story; memorable music; optimism; and a warm-hearted ending. Michael Shawn Lucas is perfect as Marc, a sweet hunk trying to make it as an actor on Broadway. He goes to audition after audition, suffering rejection after rejection. Hence, Broadway 'damage'. His nerdy but cute song-writing friend Robert (Aaron Williams) harbors a secret passion for him, but hides it because handsome Marc is a perfect 'ten' and, therefore, out of reach. Their companion Cynthia -- overweight and over-the-top -- is played by Mara Hobel, no stranger to campy films. She played opposite Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford's daughter in 'Mommie Dearest', one of the great camp classics of all time. The three friends share career problems, relationships, and other personal traumas. They are loveable and a joy to watch. When Robert finally makes his 'grand gesture' to Marc, he does so in a wonderfully witty song (by Cindy Soltoff) which is sweet, bouyant, touching, and tuneful enough for any Broadway show. This is a real hit.