Hard Pill (2005)

Hard Pill (2005)
Member Rating:  
A gay man takes an experimental medication designed to make him heterosexual in this provocative independent drama. Plain-looking, unlucky in love, and approaching middle age, Tim (Jonathan Slavin) isn't very happy with the shallow hedonism of the gay world. He pines for his straight best friend Don (Mike Begovich), whose occasional willingness to accept drunken oral sex marks the closest thing to a date Tim's enjoyed in years. When news breaks of a drug trial for a miracle pill that will turn homosexual men straight, Tim jumps at the chance to enroll. His decision alienates him from Joey (Scotch Ellis Loring), his good-time-guy pal, and from Don, whose company he must shun in order to bolster the drug's effectiveness. As the treatment progresses, Tim tries out hetero sex with Sally (Susan Slome), a co-worker who's been in love with him for years. But when he spurns Sally for a better-looking new girlfriend who knows nothing of his gay past, Tim's final link to his previous life is severed. Ultimately, though, a crisis among his old friends drags Tim back into their orbit, putting his entire course of treatment in jeopardy. The debut feature from writer/director John Baumgartner, Hard Pill played the festival circuit before airing on Logo, the nascent, Viacom-owned gay cable network. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

 Read More


Starring:
Jonathan SlavinScotch Ellis Loring, (more)
Director(s):
John Baumgartner
Format(s):
DVD
View All Versions to rent and buy
 
 
 
 

Synopsis of Hard Pill

A gay man takes an experimental medication designed to make him heterosexual in this provocative independent drama. Plain-looking, unlucky in love, and approaching middle age, Tim (Jonathan Slavin) isn't very happy with the shallow hedonism of the gay world. He pines for his straight best friend Don (Mike Begovich), whose occasional willingness to accept drunken oral sex marks the closest thing to a date Tim's enjoyed in years. When news breaks of a drug trial for a miracle pill that will turn homosexual men straight, Tim jumps at the chance to enroll. His decision alienates him from Joey (Scotch Ellis Loring), his good-time-guy pal, and from Don, whose company he must shun in order to bolster the drug's effectiveness. As the treatment progresses, Tim tries out hetero sex with Sally (Susan Slome), a co-worker who's been in love with him for years. But when he spurns Sally for a better-looking new girlfriend who knows nothing of his gay past, Tim's final link to his previous life is severed. Ultimately, though, a crisis among his old friends drags Tim back into their orbit, putting his entire course of treatment in jeopardy. The debut feature from writer/director John Baumgartner, Hard Pill played the festival circuit before airing on Logo, the nascent, Viacom-owned gay cable network. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
94 mins

Complete Cast of Hard Pill


Director(s):
John Baumgartner
Writer(s):
John BaumgartnerK. Dayton Mesher
Producer(s):
Susan Stoebner
Looking for special editions of Hard Pill?
See All Versions
Subtitles:
Check All Versions
Closed Captioning:
Check All Versions
 
 
 
 

BY MAIL

Monthly Subscription
NEW! 7 - Day Rental
No subscription required. Usually ships in 24 hours.
 

IN-STORE

 

What's Your Take?

Add to FavoritesIn Favorites  |  Share:     Email to a friendShare on FacebookShare on Twitter
    YOUR REVIEW
    WRITE A REVIEW
     
    1000 
     
    Member Reviews
     
    Jeffrey N.

    Ok, so the cinematography can be quite poor at times...and some of the acting is just plain amateur...but overall, I think most people would be happy with the final product. It all centers around a "what if" scenario about if turning from homosexual to hetero could make someone happier with their life. It kept me interested the entire time, despite its flaws.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Michael A.

    How much comedy can you find in a movie about a gay guy who wishes he was straight. There were some funny parts, but most of the movie was cliche's of gay men. Some of the writing was a little forced, but it is still an okay movie. It is even better than some of these million dollar films put in theatres. ENJOY IT!

    Yes   |   No

     
    Michele S.

    I enjoyed this movie. It raises some interesting psychological questions about sexual orientation and its influence on relationships. I agree that it is not much of a comedy but is certainly worth watching.

    Yes   |   No

     
    Read All 13 Reviews