Everything You Wanted to Know About Gay Porn Stars (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)"Everything" is an interesting concept for a series and its male subjects are fascinating. However, the entire series suffers from stilted filmmaking and a lack of a linear structure. Creator John Roecker lists a myriad of gay male porn stars in the credits but not one is given a clear narrative or arch-some appearing only once. While this may appear conceptual or artsy, essentially what it does is fail to allow viewers to emotionally connect to any of the subjects. Nick Piston is probably given the most empathetic presentation and we are allowed to connect with him when he is allowed to be vulnerable.
The documentary is shot with a handheld camera (it seems like one you or I might have for home movies) and is basically 232 minutes of static shots of actors answering questions, some relevant, some not. John is not a prolific interviewer and doesn't seem to follow any particular theme or line of questioning and often times asks really are pretty tangential and incoherent. He also handles questions about trauma and loss pretty casually.
The subjects of the film are really good sports, quite fascinating in their own right, and I applaud each and every one of them for their candor and vulnerability. They deserved better than this piecemeal project. The director clearly knows that the DVDs and series will sell based on its provocative nature, but it is pretty lackluster and has horrendous production values. Some of my issues with the series:
-if you are only going to do static shot interviews with a single camera on a subject, don't place shadows in their eyes. Part of connecting to a subject is seeing their eyes.
-the sound is pretty bad in parts, inaudible at others.
-there is really no vision, theme or through-line to the series. It seems random and haphazard. What is someone supposed to walk away with?
-if you are trying to humanize adult film actors, why must they all be interviewed with their shirts off?
-the "questions" that are asked seem to be off the top of the head of the director and pretty random-the series title is a little off base in that the focus is pretty narrow.
-the lack of film technique makes this series a snooze at points. At least take a walk with the subjects or offer a change of scenery. 3+ hours of the interviews is really trying on the viewer.
-the devotion of a whole episode to the Harlow Cuadra trial seems out of place and doesn't follow the arch of the show. It brings the series to a screeching halt. Plus, shots of the director standing over the sink or sitting outside on the phone while speaking to Harlow are mind numbing.
The second disc is much better than the first. The episode on drugs is very moving due to the openness of Nick Piston and him being given time to connect with viewers. The other subjects don't fare as well-coming across as what they hope not to, pretty whiny addicts. Its not their fault. Their interviews are truncated and the interviewer is not effective.
I support this film because I believe sex workers do deserve more respect in our country and do not deserve to be vilified and ostracized. However, I think this series was pretty poorly executed. Definitely worth a watch on netflix, but skip the purchase.

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Go beneath the sheets with all seven episodes of the series that \'gives voice to the stories, stars and scandalous secrets of the gay skin trade" (The Advocate). In this revealing look at a taboo world, 16 of the hottest adult film stars provide a candid and raw insight into their careers and lifestyles, describing in shocking detail the dangers of the gay porn industry.

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