“Before I Do”
(USA)
Screened at the 44th Reeling Chicago International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (4/5)
Letterboxd (4/5), Imdb.com (8/10), TMDB.com (8/10), Imdb.com critics review
#BrentMarchant #ReelingFilmFestival #BeforeIDo #LGBTQ #samesexmarriage #gaymalecouple #romanticcomedy #lakesidecabin #engagementcelebration #honestdepiction #relationship #culturaldynamics #impendingwedding #debutfeature #bisexual #childhoodfriend #collegefriend #Lakeview #sexualorientation #TheHallmarkChannel #lingeringdoubt #groom #opensecret
An engagement celebration is supposed to be a joyous, fun-filled occasion with family (however you define that) and friends. But what if the event is unwittingly based on less-than-truthful considerations, namely, the commemoration of an impending wedding to the wrong person? Indeed, how can the intended smile through lingering doubts that are hard to conceal? Such are the circumstances in play in this debut feature from writer-director Gary Jaffe, the tale of a weekend gathering to celebrate the upcoming same-sex marriage of John Michael (Cole Doman) to his fiancé, David (who’s not in attendance). The festivities take place at an idyllic lakeside cabin hosted by Alex (Michael Hsu Rosen), who just happens to be the groom’s former partner and who has himself only recently exited a bad engagement of his own. Also present are two of the former couple’s college friends, Luís (Robin de Jesús) and Simon (Jared Reinfeldt), and John Michael’s newly out bisexual childhood friend, Kit (Nico Greetham), who’s largely unknown to the other attendees. What makes this gathering less than festive, however, is the resurgence of old feelings between John Michael and Alex, a largely open secret that all the guests struggle to politely dance around while the former partners own up to their true emotions. The result is a charming, realistic romantic comedy that offers up plenty of great laughs, as well as an honest depiction of the complexities often found in relationships involving gay male couples. It frankly explores many of the cultural dynamics of the LGBTQ+ community and how they impact (or, more precisely, how they should unapologetically impact) such partnerships. And that’s what sets this offering apart from many other releases in this genre. Credit the smart, insightful writing, fine performances and superb chemistry among the ensemble for successfully bringing this to life. In fact, in many regards, the audacious honesty permeating this effort reminds me very much of the excellent Canadian release “Lakeview” (2025), which featured a similar narrative in a similar setting but with an all-female cast. It’s indeed heartening to see films like these capture such qualities so authentically as they do, especially when it comes to illustrating universal scenarios that aren’t strictly limited by attributes like sexual orientation. Admittedly, this offering has a look somewhat typical of releases like those shown on The Hallmark Channel, but don’t let the visuals fool you. “Before I Do” has much to say, and it says it so well, especially when someone feels trapped in an unsatisfying relationship and may not know how to move on from it until it’s too late.