ANTHONY J. CARUSO

Bil’s rating (out of 5): 0

USA, 2017.  Red Dawn Productions.  Screenplay by Anthony J. Caruso, based on the novel Seventy Times Seven by Salvatore Sapienza.  Cinematography by Alan Ray.  Produced by Steven L. Busby.   Costume Design by Kimberly Brown.  Film Editing by Anthony J. Caruso.  Podcast: Bad Gay Movies.

Anthony J. Caruso directs himself in this abysmal, impossible to endure romantic drama.  His character Vito is conflicted about his decision to study to become a monk with a rather progressive order that doesn’t mind that he’s gay, but who wishes he would tone down the partying.

Vito accepts an offer to spend the summer volunteering at an AIDS hospice and, while there, meets a handsome landscaper named Gabe with whom he falls in love.  Can he go back to his decision to live a life of chastity or can he serve his calling to God while also indulging in earthly love with someone he feels so good being with?

Hard to say given that Caruso’s flat and unintelligible performance makes it impossible to see any inner life to the character, he has the same flippant response to every situation be it serious or light.  The plot is taken from a romantic novel by Salvatore Sapienza, Seventy Times Seven, and what reads as good-natured utopian fantasy in books that seek to combine a love story with some healthy and controlled lust is awkward and illogical when dramatized by actors who don’t  ever look like they know what they’re doing.  Please don’t watch this.