Jeffrey

United States, 1994

Film
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This film manages to convey a serious message about the impact of “safe sex” on gay male relationships despite its surreal and comedic approach. Fed up with paranoid lovers, endless bundles of blood test results, and the consuming fear of investing emotionally in a partner he may lose to AIDS, Jeffrey decides to give up sex for good. He rationalises that this will allow him to channel his energy into his career and hobbies, which in turn will help him to forget about sex. However, his resolve is soon put to the test when he meets the gorgeous body-builder Steve (Michael T. Weiss) while working out at the gym. Torn between wanting to ravish Steve and wanting to maintain his celibacy, Jeffrey turns to his best friend Sterling (Patrick Stewart) for advice. As circumstances (and friends) conspire to bring Steve and Jeffrey together, Jeffrey begins to warm to the idea of a committed relationship. However, Steve’s revelation about his HIV-positive status soon throws a spanner in the works and Jeffrey finds himself caught between love and fear once again. Seeking the advice of Sterling and his partner Darius, a post-modern evangelist, a self-help group, his liberal parents, and a randy Catholic priest, Jeffrey struggles to come to terms with the concept that a life lived in fear is no life at all. Features a variety of cameos from stars such as Sigourney Weaver, Camryn Manheim, Olympia Dukakis, Kathy Najimy, Christine Baranski, and Nathan Lane. Based on the play by Paul Rudnick.

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Credits

director

Christopher Ashley

co-producer

Mark Balsam

Mitchell Maxwell

Victoria Maxwell

production company

The Booking Office

Working Man Films

Duration

01:30:00:00

Production places
United States
Production dates
1994

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If you would like to cite this item, please use the following template: {{cite web |url=https://acmi.net.au/works/92642/ |title=Jeffrey |author=Australian Centre for the Moving Image |access-date=3 May 2024 |publisher=Australian Centre for the Moving Image}}