"All Over the Guy" is a solid romantic comedy that happens to involve a romance between two men. Although this is not necessarily a novel premise, "Guy" contains enough to distinguish it from other romantic comedies. The film was written by its star Dan Bucatinsky who has appeared in the tremendous "The Opposite of Sex," "Bounce," and "The Sky is Falling."

Dan talked to us about sex, love and capturing it on film.

Dan Bucatinsky: Yes, we have to hand it to Ellen and Will & Grace and all the producers, actors, writers and filmmakers before us who helped pave the way for those of us who wanted to make the kind of movie that 'just happens' to have gay characters in them... rather than having a piece w/ a gay agenda. My film is based on a play that 'happened to be' about a straight couple. So the themes are more universal. But in terms of the world at large, I'm sure there are folks in Mississippi that look at Sodomy the same way their ancestors did.

"It's funny.. a lot of people come up to us, both straight and gay, and tell us the scene is 'hot'... and all we can remember was that the scene WAS hot... like humid, sticky kind of hot..."
--Writer and Actor Dan Bucatinsky on the critical sex scene in "All Over the Guy".

I think the visibility gay characters have had over the years has helped assimilate them into our culture. Those same folks in Mississippi or wherever, probably don't love seeing interracial couples, but the more they become part of the palette, the less surprised we all will be when we see them on the canvas.

"Queer as Folk" pushes the envelope the most. In fact, the envelope, on that show, looks a lot like a jockstrap and it gets pushed... off. But good for them for putting those images out there, and helping us toward a world of acceptance rather than merely tolerance.

Writing dialogue for a feature film does not make my brain hurt. Does it make your brain hurt? I write the way I speak. And the way my peers, my friends... those around me speak... some may find it 'cutesy'... but it is part of my reality... and I try my hardest to write the same quick-witted, snappy, and at times assaultive way that makes me laugh... and others laugh... and is fun for actors to speak... this keeps things alive...rather than boring. But it's certainly not different from the way I speak. If the people you know seem like their attention spans aren't long enough... or if they don't keep your interest... you should meet some of my friends...

"Queer as Folk" pushes the envelope the most. In fact, the envelope, on that show, looks a lot like a jockstrap and it gets pushed... off."
--Bucatinsky comments on breaking gay male stereo-types on television.

I noticed that Don Roos was the executive producer for "All Over the Guy." Given the subject matter of "All Over the Guy," it must have been very important to have him on board. What is it like to work with Mr. Roos?

The subject matter of the film wasn't really what got Don Roos interested in the film. He said it was the dialogue... the characters. He wanted to be part of a small, indie film which was not only funny but truthful, and we were lucky to have his creativity, his wisdom and his expertise on the set everyday. He also passed out ice-cream sandwiches to everyone in the cast and crew at 3:00 each day of the entire 25 day shoot.

The critical sex scene in "All Over the Guy" worked well and was sincere. We hear about the closed sets on films like last weekend's "Original Sin" and actresses blush when asked about bearing their breasts (sometimes ridiculously, see "Swordfish"). Without making you blush, tell us about filming the sex scenes in "All Over the Guy?" How can filmmakers make actors and actresses more comfortable on the set when in the bedroom?

The sex scene in AOTG was shot on day 2 of filming. It was one of the more difficult experiences of my career. The room was small... there were only the two of us actors... a boom operator... and the camera man/D.P. It was 100 degrees... and Richard and I still didn't know each other that well... but he was very laid back and relaxed... and actually helped me to relax... we just took it as a technical challenge... and tried to make it as believable as possible. It was amazingly UNsexy while we were doing it... and I, worried about Richard being uptight, tried to make it go quickly... but Richard didn't want me to 'cheat him on the kiss' for fear of making it unbelievable... so after a while... we just jumped in and did what the script called for... it's funny.. a lot of people come up to us, both straight and gay, and tell us the scene is 'hot'... and all we can remember was that the scene WAS hot... like humid, sticky kind of hot...

"He also passed out ice-cream sandwiches to everyone in the cast and crew at 3:00 each day of the entire 25 day shoot." --Bucatinsky on working with Don Roos.

"Planet of the Apes" was referenced frequently in your film. Are you an "Apes" fan? Have you seen the new film?

I am a huge fan of the original Planet of the Apes, and as a kid, I collected the TV show bubble gum cards. I don't really do any of that anymore... although I enjoy watching the original when it's on cable. I did see the remake... and found it interesting to watch... technically incredible... but lacked the charm of the original. I won't be collecting any dolls (action figures) from the new version... too scary...

Visit the official website for All Over the Guy

Jonathan W. Hickman