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Circuit

2002, Movie, NR, 122 mins

Circuit: Review

CIRCUIT
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Playgirl centerfold-turned-director Dirk Shafer's second feature is no doubt meant to be a sincere warning against the pitfalls of the gay party netherworld, but he sure does seem to like it down there. This is essentially the story of one hunk's road to ruin via strong drugs and cheap sex, and Shafer is licking his lips every inch of the way. On the advice of his boss, who suggests he seek out "an environment more compatible to his lifestyle," gay cop John (Jonathan Wade Drahos) packs up his pick-up and leaves his small, conservative Illinois town for the gay mecca of West Hollywood, where his cousin, Tad (Daniel Kucan), lives. Tad is an aspiring filmmaker who's shooting a documentary about the "circuit," queerspeak for the inexhaustible round of all-night parties where body fat and signs of aging are anathema, and buff gay men dance shirtless until dawn, often aided by various pharmaceuticals. Innocent John comes under the tacky tutelage of Hector Ray (Andre Khabbazi), an aging hustler who's just been traded in for a younger model by a well-known Hollywood exec (Jim J. Bullock). Hector, in turn, introduces John to the seamier side of the circuit — the casual sex, hustling and myriad drugs that keep party boys partying straight on till morning. John is at first resistant, but soon his refrain of "I don't need that to have a good time" gives way to "Well, maybe just one hit." In almost no time, John is snorting Special K, injecting steroids into his tush, hitting the gym for hours on end and wearing as few clothes as possible. Once a fish-out-of-water, John is now chum in the shark tank of the circuit. Meanwhile, Bobby Rocks (Paul Lekakis), a generously endowed circuit "performer" and a featured subject of Tad's film, is also headed for trouble. Bobby, who's HIV+ but doing well on his medication, once sold his life insurance policy to Carlos G (William Katt), a ghoulish drug supplier and party promoter who's now perturbed that Bobby isn't dying fast enough and is enlisting Hector's help in doing something about it. Grim stuff, but for all the vomit and overdosing hunks, this stylish and often sharply written film is really all about having a good time. With its thumping soundtrack, absence of body hair and a camera that practically pants over every bulge, curve and crack of the male form, the film is really closer to porn than a serious critique of what's wrong with this increasingly pervasive aspect of gay culture. leave a comment --Ken Fox
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