X
  • 2020
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2020
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 35 m

Summary Todd is a hyper-articulate, obsessive compulsive gay twentysomething whose fear of dying alone leads him to a baffling conclusion: he might not be gay after all. When he meets Rory, a whip-smart struggling actress with her own set of insecurities, the two forge a relationship that’s all talk and no sex.

Directed By: James Sweeney

Written By: James Sweeney

  • 2020
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 35 m
  • 2020
  • Not Rated
  • Strand Releasing
  • 1 h 35 m

Straight Up

Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
66
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 11 User Ratings
6.3
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Todd is a hyper-articulate, obsessive compulsive gay twentysomething whose fear of dying alone leads him to a baffling conclusion: he might not be gay after all. When he meets Rory, a whip-smart struggling actress with her own set of insecurities, the two forge a relationship that’s all talk and no sex.

Directed By: James Sweeney

Written By: James Sweeney

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
66
75% Positive
9 Reviews
25% Mixed
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 12 Critic Reviews
66
75% Positive
9 Reviews
25% Mixed
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
Mar 5, 2020
A sweet, funny and thoroughly winning romantic comedy that’s a kind of a bi-curious take on When Harry Met Sally for the Millennial crowd — or anyone else looking for some brainy, banter-rific fun.
By Gary Goldstein FULL REVIEW
75
Jun 30, 2020
Straight Up wrestles with its messaging, which bogs the picture down. It takes a few predictable turns, and some predictably unpredictable ones. But Sweeney maintains the manic patter even when the pacing flags.
By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW
75
Feb 28, 2020
An assured and refreshing first feature from writer/director/star James Sweeney. With the rhythms and conventions of a traditional romantic comedy, it is refreshingly unconventional in form and content, boasting a sharp script and a gift for cinematic storytelling.
FULL REVIEW
67
Feb 25, 2020
Often charming in the most confrontational way possible, Straight Up pays due respect to the endlessly creative ways people delude themselves into avoiding difficult realities. It may talk (and talk) a good game, but it’s in the quieter moments of silence when it speaks volumes about the perils of modern alienation.
By Glenn Heath Jr. FULL REVIEW
65
Jun 26, 2019
Lighthearted in tone yet intellectually intriguing, the L.A.-set film ponders valid queries about identity, even if they’re almost entirely sustained by dialogue.
By Carlos Aguilar FULL REVIEW
60
Feb 24, 2020
The closing scenes of Straight Up are more contrived and constrained — an acquiescence to living inside the box, with one dramatic wrinkle that feels tacked on and ill-considered. The fiery talent that Sweeney displays throughout, both in front of and behind the camera, regrettably ends up ashen.
By Keith Uhlich FULL REVIEW
50
Feb 27, 2020
You never quite buy Todd and Rory as flesh-and-blood people who could have conversations that don’t sound rehearsed.
By Ben Kenigsberg FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 11 User Ratings
6.3
55% Positive
6 Ratings
36% Mixed
4 Ratings
9% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 11 User Ratings
6.3
55% Positive
6 Ratings
36% Mixed
4 Ratings
9% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Valparaiso Pictures, Particular Crowd
Release Date Feb 28, 2020
Duration 1 h 35 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
Tagline He might be gay. She might not care.
View All Details

Awards

The Queerties
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival
• 1 Nomination
Film Independent Spirit Awards
• 1 Nomination

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