Say Uncle
DIRECTED BY PETER PAIGE
Say Uncle is a commentary on how fear-driven we have become in our politically correct society—to the point where people mistake innocent gestures for malicious intent. Queer as Folk star Peter Paige wrote and directed the film and stars as Paul, an offbeat and childlike gay man who shuts down after his best friends announce they are moving to Japan and taking his 2-year-old godson with them. In an attempt to cheer himself up, he begins hanging out at the local playground and working in a toy store—both places where the patrons are an age he can relate to. One of the moms (excellently played by Kathy Najimy) recognizes he has all the characteristics of a pedophile and begins a crusade to have him taken in without any real evidence. There are far-fetched moments, yet they feel necessary as you find yourself squirming in your seat wondering, Is he or isn’t he? Unfortunately, the ending deflates before giving this thought-provoking movie the final punctuation it deserves.
Bob Merrick
