The Curiosity of Chance (2006) User Reviews

Overall a good indie effort - with solid acting and likable characters.

[jtapley-2 · 7/10 · 2 January 2009]

I was prepared to be disappointed with The Curiosity of Chance - but fortunately it does not follow the exact pattern laid out in the short blurb about the movie and the storyline is actually more interesting and clever! This is NOT a coming out story. Chance IS out. This is more of a "coming to his own" type of scenario.

Fortunately, he does not recruit the hodge-podge of characters to get revenge on the bully as we are led to believe -- instead, it is his friends who do so just because that's what real friends do. The acting is solid - giving us quirky characters with interesting stories and a bit of mystery. Tad Hilgenbrinck is perfectly cast as the eccentric Chance Marquis - giving a wonderful Willie Wonka quirkiness to the character. He is very much like a few people I have met in my life - and I could readily identify with him. Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyze couldn't be better as the rather odd sidekick photographer friend Hank Hudson. In fact, Pieter has some of the funnier lines of the movie - which his delivery of made even funnier. And Aldevina da Silva as Twyla Tiller is another wise casting move - bringing us a beautiful film image of the female friend that almost every gay boy has in high school - tough, sarcastic and deeply loyal and loving.

Not to be left out is the solid, if understated, performance of Brett Chukerman as Levi Sparks - the soccer star/next door neighbor/amazingly empathetic and insightful jock that is in every movie of this ilk but almost does not exist in real life. However, Brett makes this character believable - with his subtle style, perfect facial expressions to match each scenario and his dream that ultimately has nothing to do with football. I immediately liked this character - just as I did the other main characters.

The peripheral characters are colorful, odd, and obviously have deeper stories that are only hinted at but never totally, or in some cases even slightly divulged. Magali Uytterhaegen as the Vice Principal is somewhat a stereotypical character but as the movie progresses toward it's obvious conclusion you begin to understand that she seems to really get it and actually cares about Chance. The fact that we know little about her - other than Twyla's idea that she is transsexual and that she inexplicably smells - adds to her mystique. Chris Mulkey as the father (Sir) is well played. One senses from the beginning that while he is extreme military that he is not necessarily an extreme disciplinarian - there is a sense that he cares even if he is unsure how to manifest that feeling. He, in the end, is the father every struggling gay kid wants to find out he/she really has.

The Battle of the Bands conclusion is basically formula movie-making . . . however, the addition of the drag queens (which, by the way, were some of the best and most realistic drag queens I've seen in a movie in a long time) was, while expected, quite delightful. The final scene with the kiss was sweet while leaving the mystery of whether it was real or fantasy.

This might be a new entry in my list of favorite gay-themed movies. Not as much for the story as for the acting and the solid directing for a low-budget indie film. Bravo to Writer/Director Russell P. Marleau for making the most of a limited budget. And double bravos to whomever did the casting for this movie - well done!

I still want to know what was in Hank's case.

A fine and funny gay themed movie without the stereotyping!

[johannes2000-1 · 8/10 · 9 October 2009]

TCOC is basically a fine and fun movie. Tad Hilgenbrink does a great job and is totally convincing as Chance, the young, intelligent gay high school kid that has decided to be true to his gay and somewhat extravagant self in whatever circumstances he finds himself, which provokes all kinds of strong reactions from people around him, like his teachers, his father and some bullying high school jocks.

Tad Hilgenbrink is not a stunner (that part fell to Brett Chukerman as Chance's neighbor and friend), but he's good-looking enough, and his character Chance is very cute in his attempts to act snubby, cynical, ad-libbing and world-wise as any self-respecting queen would be, while bravely taking the punches that this behaviour evokes. TH has a strong screen presence, and he sure knows how to use his facial expressions - see for instance the scene where he watches (or fancies?) his gorgeous neighbor doing a striptease! I saw TH in the umptieth rip-off of American Pie: "Band Camp", in which I thought he was balancing on the brink of obnoxious, which was exactly what he had to play, but in the end of that movie he was allowed to show his more serious and endearing side which forecasted his acting in TCOC. I must grant him his courage to take on this totally contrary part, which not only meant playing a very out and open gay guy, but also includes a drag-queen act. And I also grant him his fine balanced approach of playing this gay character: not stereotyped, but putting it all in the the subtle gestures and attitude, it made his being gay all the more believable and acceptable.

There is much to laugh about in this movie, but here I did have some reservations too. Apart from the main character and the struggles with his personal problems, the rest of the script and the supporting characters are unfortunately a bit shallow. Curiously enough there are all these interesting and promising premises, with which nothing much is done. For instance, this high school seems to be somewhere in Europe, but apart from some people having a weird accent it didn't serve any purpose. Chance's father is a widowed military-man, who evidently seriously tries to cope with his strange son, but until the last few minutes he only stays a caricature. The dorky schoolfriend Hank is so unrealistically stupid that it makes your teeth ache, and the colossal female head of the school is equally over the top; both have a lot of scenes that are clearly meant to be hilarious but in my opinion fell rather flat. The drag-queens bring in some fine performances, but their talk with Chance in the dressing room could have been so much more interesting, showing him the good sides but also the hardships where this path in life can lead to; here they just bicker among themselves and Chance just awes their ad-libbing skills.

The only well evolved secondary story-line was that of the (straight?) neighbor guy Levi who becomes friends with Chance but also belongs to the "enemy" jock's camp, putting him (as well as Chance) in a moral dilemma. I liked the mature way in which Chance dealt with this: not with anger or with changing his behaviour to fit in better, but just by staying true to himself. It's this attitude that eventually wins his buddy over and I think it sums up the message of this movie: in order to fit in it's not always necessary to do concessions, just start with opening-up to each other and respecting each others personality and peculiarities. It sounds so cliché, but every new day it proves to be the most difficult thing ever!

Important to Note

[aryugaetu-725-65299 · 8/10 · 29 June 2013]

It is important to note:

Considering its budget, it's not bad.

At the beginning, it was not well established that it is in Europe, in an American-style, English- immersion high school, which is not uncommon for cities with larger U.S. military bases nearby. They are free to U.S. military dependents and any remaining availability is open to local citizens wishing greater U.S. and/or English language exposure.

Also, being in Europe, the drinking age in most places is 16, and it is why seeing high school students in clubs that serve alcohol isn't too unusual. Unlike the U.S., by high school, a student in Europe is expected to be a responsible adult, and are given the rights of an adult such as drive, drink and legal sex.

"The Curiosity of Chance" is a good movie for young (questioning) Gays, from about 12 to 18. The lower ratings given here are from egocentric wannabe critics with an inability to see a movie through the eyes of its intended audience. It's sad these home critics cannot remember the struggles of being a Gay teen. This movie gives very good advice, albeit in an unsophisticated way… but, it's a teen movie. Other good Gay teen movies are…

"Beautiful Thing" (1996), "Edge of Seventeen" (1998), "L.I.E." (2001), "Cowboys & Angels" (2003), "Dream Boy" (2008), "Were The World Mine" (2008), "Noordzee (North Sea) Texas" (2011), "Struck by Lightning" (2012)

For our Gay Mormon, older teen, brothers, see "Latter Days" (2003) and "The Falls" (2012)

Well done indy-entertainment

[petersonteddy · 7/10 · 6 March 2009]

The story is about the obviously homosexual but even-more smart, charming and eloquent youngster Chance Maquise crossing the ocean to attend an International Highschool. As obligatory for a film set in a highschool scenario, he had to fight bullying, teachers and parents and his own weaknesses. But Chance Maquise way to discovering his own personality is therefore funny and more interesting than in a usual growing-up-movie.

Unfortunately no one beside a few freaks can understand or even handle this extroverted guy. But Chance - starting as a lonely wolf – takes his chance and converts strangers into friends and convinces, at last, everybody that a certain touch of curiosity is a benefit for everybody.

Though some aspects make CoC appear more than the usual teenage-entertainment, it is definitely not. That it's situated in the 80's has no further intention than showing fancy clothes and place some acceptable jokes about accent differences. Any attempt to recapitulate the upcoming gay-movement in the 80's or at least a slightly different atmosphere poured into the superficial highschool-scenario could have changed this a lot. That said, for pure entertainment value you won't be disappointed with COC.

OH, and, yes........there is a kiss----but it's.......

[arizona-philm-phan · 2 July 2008]

.......gratuitous (although it is a good lip-lock).

While this film doesn't merit a lot of comment, here're just a few observations---

• It's cute, it's innocuous and it's in no way innovative. What it does do is reinforce---in a fun way---the principles of standing up for oneself, appreciating the friends one does have and, most importantly, keeping hope (re: that last 2-person scene in this movie).

• This definitely will appeal to the high school crowd (what's really going' on here---is this just a little different take on the "High School Musical" theme?).

• Just a thought or two about our leads---Hilgenbrink: a little "one-note" in his come-across (but at only age 23 or so when shooting, and with not much in past filmed performances, he has the greater potential of the two male leads) // Chuckerman: just because you're cute doesn't mean you can act (gonna get in trouble for that one---from the girls, maybe the boys) and gave a rather wooden performance (he was much better at "dragging us into the picture" with his performance in the year 2000 Short: "Crush"). Do have to allow him this, though---the facial expression he gives us, while walking away after "the kiss," was a priceless moment // Aldevina Da Silva's work here was tippy-top above the rest. If there's an award for this sort of thing, it belongs to her.

***If you want something better in the gay teenager mode, try one of these: "C.R.A.Z.Y" // "Summer Storm" // "The Mudge Boy" // "The Last Day"

****

I wanted a different story...(Spoiler)

[Rhinojack · 7/10 · 22 July 2008]

From the get-go, I was constructing in my mind, the plot I'd like to see develop, then I began to realize that it was not going to happen, and go down a rather predictable path. I like a story line of forbidden love, fish out of water, and people that can't stand each other, thrown together and changing. I knew as soon as they showed the hunky shirtless neighbor, that he would be the eventual focus. The protagonist, being constantly bothered by the homophobe jock, brushes his abuse off his shoulder, preferring not to empower by acknowledgment. Meanwhile the jock's friend lives next door, and though intrigued with our hero, is torn between being cool and his allegiance to the jock, or being associated with an undesirable. What would have made a more interesting story, is to have the main character and the jock, reluctantly thrown together, (what I thought sure was to develop with the sports interviewer subplot, that never went anywhere) and have the jock realize that the protagonist isn't so bad at all, if not fall for him if it could made believable. I'd also get rid of the steroid use issue. Of course this would probably change it to a drama, but it wasn't too much of a comedy to begin with. Overall an enjoyable movie though there was no need whatsoever to set it in Europe and peppered with characters with questionable accents. As far as the 80's time frame, good music and quirky fashion was provided but I think that it could have easily been done in the present.

Chance, a little bit of us all.

[gallopinggay · 10/10 · 29 November 2011]

I was skeptical when first watching this film, because I have wasted enough time trying to relate to campy gay films on logo. This one will shock you... so, TAKE A CHANCE. Everyone can relate to at least one of the characters in the film, if not many of them. I almost felt like they had taken real memories from my life and put them in the film. I found it so relatable and thought the actors really understood the intentions of the film. It is hysterical and still heart felt. I would recommend this film to anyone, its a delightful piece of work. It reminds you that being different, unique, and just "yourself" is the most rewarding thing in life. Check it out, you will laugh a lot and maybe even tear up a little. Great film!!! CHECK IT OUT.

So many missed opportunities

[hcpatel-27182 · 6/10 · 21 December 2020]

This had the potential of being a really good film but unfortunately falls flat because it doesn't know what kind of film it wants to be.

Had this been a comedy set in the US during the 2000s about a gay teen finding himself through drag it might have worked well enough to scrape a 7, as is. But it is a borderline 6 for me. For starters it is difficult to believe schools like this existed anywhere in Europe like this back in the 80s.

It wasn't awful I watched it to the end and there are some nice touching moments. Unfortunately, it doesn't develop any of the myriad themes it tries to include. The actors do work hard at it, to their credit.

A culture clash movie about an out and proud drag queen from the US in a conservative 80s school in Belgium would have made for a more interesting and ultimately satisfying film. The Belgian actors could have spoken mostly in Dutch/ Flemish or French even, depending on where it was supposed to be. The accented English dialogue distracts us from the narrative. Subtitles in this case would have been less of a distraction.

Equally, a teen romance movie about 2 boys coming together to face their bullies through music or drag would have worked very well too. It needn't have had to been a romance either to work. It subverts the usual trope of the out kid bringing the closeted kid into the light, I suppose but it just isn't believable.

A more recent film like Handsome Devil, proves that it could work. Returning to this film I don't understand the bullies motivations to behave the way they do and the inconsistent reactions their victims have.

There is enough drama going on with the football team without shoehorning the trauma at home too. I recently rewatched Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure first as a grown up and the Dads' are a class act in trying/failing to deal with their respective kids delinquency. The premise is totally idiotic but nothing feels implausible whilst watching it.

I'm not exactly a fan of Perks of Being a Wallflower but it established all the above themes using secondary gay characters in only a couple scenes. Unlike the Curiousity of Chance this was a very serious and sombre undertaking. They worked a lot better and were believable reactions from all the players.

Here we had a whole film fo develop something along those lines and I just think what a waste.

Well, I liked it...

[skattyus-211-25082 · 9/10 · 8 February 2012]

OK, well a lot of people seem to dislike this film, but I enjoyed it quite a bit? :)

Is it dull at some moments? Yes. Is it often clichéd? Most definitely.

However, as a low budget foreign film, I think it accomplished more than most overpriced American films! In fact, if you want to watch an LGBT film, you have to look overseas as American cinema doesn't even really touch the topic (at least not that often, unless it's a hollow stereotypical gay character).

What I liked about this film? I simply enjoyed the sarcasm and just soaked in all the "clicheness"! It was very colorful and I was able to connect with the characters at some level. Not exactly high art cinematography, but let's face it: most films we watch for entertainment aren't (well, at least for me).

If you like cute stupid films like Legally Blonde, Clueless, etc...I think you might enjoy this film?

Killed the Cat

[NJMoon · 4/10 · 26 July 2008]

There seems no earthly reason to set this film at an "international" high school (is there even such a thing?) in the 80's other than to provide some weak visual and aural humor. But funny accents and funny clothes do not a good film make. Curiosity apes the real thing: "Edge of Seventeen" - all to no avail. Stick with it long enough the leading man (as usual in high school flicks, nobody looks like a teenager) somehow manages to push through the arch, unbelievable dialogue and predictable plot to find some sense of truth. In the end, the title character may get to live happily ever after - or maybe he just wants us to think so.

Simply Incredible

[Simply_Jer · 8/10 · 22 October 2006]

I will preface this comment with the fact that this was an indie film and low budget.

That being said, bravo. I was amazed how close the characters in the movie to the aspects of mine, and probably every gay man's, life. Tad and Brett borough the characters to life with such a brilliant portrayal of the outcast and the in-crowder stepping out. I will admit there were a couple times the dialog seemed a bit interesting and/or almost forced, but overall, i would recommend this movie to anyone. The gay aspect is not shoved in your face, so anyone who enjoys teen comedies can enjoy this.

It's not Oscar worthy, but it isn't THAT bad.

[dan_90802 · 5/10 · 28 January 2010]

If you're looking for 90 minutes or so of mindless entertainment, you could do worse than The Curiosity of Chance. As others have mentioned, it is not original in any way. The gay stereotype as creative outsider is old. The jock as thick-headed homophobe is tired. And the supporting characters are nothing more than stock creatures from any coming-of-age, coming-out-of-the-closet story set in high school.

Set in "the 1980's", TCOC seems to repel some viewers because they do not understand the setting (an American high school in Flemish-speaking Belgium). While this is not explained anywhere in the film, there are a lot of clues. The houses are not typically suburban America, the license plates are clearly foreign, the big sport is soccer, people have accents, etc. I'm not clear why the writer/director did not make this clear, as it might have added some interest. Instead, it seems like he tried to keep it country-neutral, as in, this could have been anywhere. But that simply leaves a viewer scratching his head wondering why all these "American" high school kids and their teachers speak English with a Flemish accent.

Set that aside. Just pretend that you know that this is set in Europe, in an American-style, English-immersion high school. Ex pats send their kids there, so there are some Americans. Then you can enjoy the flick.

Think part Edge of Seventeen, Get Real, Rock Haven, and Grande École mushed together. There are worse ways to spend an hour and a half.

Brilliant

[Iloveuaidie · 10/10 · 28 January 2015]

Very funny feel-good film. Follows a gay young man's experience of life in high school and the various problems that comes with adolescence and being a transfer student. Contains bullying, drag and lots of comedy. Chance Marquis is a new transfer student at Brickland High. As well as becoming the school's bully no.1 target, he strives to find his identity through visiting a gay drag club and crushing on his next door neighbour. After numerous mishaps Chance realises that he must stick to his own motto : expressing one's individualism, even if it means completely stepping out of his comfort zone. I found this film brilliant :) I love Chance's cocky attitude and eccentric personality; it adds life to the film. Chance's friends add humour to the film and the setting is perfect. Needless to say the acting is sublime.

This film really was a great surprise !

[Pyreneenguy · 10/10 · 19 June 2008]

This film really was a great surprise !

Hard to believe I'm only the second person to comment on it ! Fine, it's low-budget, but I guess I enjoyed watching this movie more than Titanic. I've watched Titanic I don't remember how many times and I'm certain that I'll be returning to watch Chance again and again. The main character is gay, but the gayness isn't thrown into your face. I kept thinking 'Edge of Seventeen', but really ,the two films are very different.It's got more to do with tolerance. No more about the film, you'll just have to make the effort and watch it yourself ! You won't be disappointed !

limps along with little style or class - lame and forgettable

[jvframe · 4/10 · 13 August 2008]

Easily the best thing about "The Curiosity Of Chance" is that the Devo song "That's Good" accompanies the opening credits.

The rest of the film is really quite lame, barely entertaining, and highly forgettable.

The screenplay is far too apparently contrived and self-consciously striving to appear witty - and it is delivered with a distinct lack of passion or conviction.

I don't like that the main protagonist is a cruel smart-arsed vile little body fascist and yet he's presented as someone whom we ought to feel empathy for as he struggles for non-judgmental acceptance.

Chock full of tired gay movie clichés, there is particularly unforgivable opportunistic and abusive stereotyping in the portrayal of the school principal - who is targeted relentlessly for our supposed amusement as an overweight woman with no self-awareness of her body odour problem.

Noticeably placed eye candy in the form of actor Brett Chukermen is diminished by the fact that Brett doesn't move outside of the range of facial expressions which are almost trademarked "Jake Gyllenhaal".

I really can't see any reason to recommend this film to anyone - not even the Devo intro saves it.

Stand up for who you are!

[nyghtweaver · 8/10 · 13 February 2009]

While this movie has a gay lead character, it is not an in your face flamboyant movie. I say that only to point out that anyone can watch and get something from the moral theme of this movie. It is a must see for anyone gay, and also for anyone who has ever been a misfit or an outcast. It is funny and endearing with a plot that is full of heart. The movie follows the basic message that everyone should find and make peace with who they truly are. Its not always an easy journey, and sometimes there are obstacles and people who are determined to get in your way and bring you down. The finale is a fantastic song, shouting out the anthem of standing up for who you are. The actors all do a great job, and the drag queens positively steal the show. Give it a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

What's with the ridiculously awful accents

[kendoll1968 · 5/10 · 5 June 2021]

This film can't seem to figure out where it's taking place. The awful accents were enough to make me quit watching.

The curiosity Of chance

[Desmondlyons · 8/10 · 29 January 2012]

This is deffo one of my new favorite films !!

There are times when i thought the acting could have been better , but then again there was no over the top acting either .

Really enjoyed the main characters . A lot of them i had seen in other films but they never stood out until now

The drag queens were hilarious especially clairvoyant

The only problem I had with the film was that you had to be told it was based in 80's .. Nothing from the 80's really stood out .. ie the fashion and so on

Loved every minute of it , would recommend every one give this film a chance

proves that not all gays have style or class

[klc-16 · 2/10 · 13 February 2009]

I have yet to see another gay film that is as bad as this one...completely predictable, lamely written, poorly acted, and nary a decent line in the entire film... Even more dismally disappointing is the fact that some people on IMDb actually liked it. To these people I would simply say that you need to set your sights higher, preferably by going and renting some of the good stuff. Examples: Whole New Thing; C.R.A.Z.Y; Just A Question of Love; Ma Vie en Rose; Shelter; The Bubble: Whispering Moon... or even Another Gay Movie - the original, NOT the sequel! There is no excuse for this piece of crap... there are lots of indie films that have been good, original and well acted. Shame!

Pretty Awful

[meaninglessbark · 2/10 · 17 January 2013]

Definitely not worth spending any of your time on.

The Curiosity of Chance feels like a movie made by high school kids who had access to good equipment and who had seen ever John Hughes teen movie many many times and L-O-V-E-D the 80s.

The film looks good, is decently shot and edited, has believable costumes, and decent 80s tunes.

But the script is awful. The story feels as if it were made up as they went along but you know it wasn't because the dialog is so wordy, clunky, and stiff you wonder if it was written with industrial equipment. The humor is low, one expects to hear farting and burping throughout the film. When the vice-principal is introduced it's mentioned by Chance's narration that she smells bad. She smells bad! Hilarious. (Some might claim that the Curiosity of Chance is a send up of high school dramas but if that was the intent it fails.)

The story and characters are nothing but clichés and stereotypes. Chance is a Rosemary Clooney loving vintage clothes wearing drama kid who thinks a top hat and bow tie are sensible attire for his first day at a new school. Not very far into the film Chance ends up in the dressing room of a drag show listening to big bitchy queens dish out pat advice. Shortly after that Chance is putting on his mother's old dresses and makeup.

But at least Chance isn't alone as everyone in the film is a stereotype or movie cliché...Chance has a much younger sister who is wise beyond her years, the jocks are jerks, the outcasts are all friends, and so on and on and on.