Buffering (2011) User Reviews

Not Great

[jpiccone-87844 · 4/10 · 6 September 2017]

I'm not sure I saw the same film as the other reviewer, but this one had problems. A lot was accomplished with a small budget, and while the film was competently made, it needed a LOT of tightening. There are endless repetitive scenes that I think were intended to build tension but instead had me screaming "get on with it!" at my screen.

Also, the introduction of a non-homonormative element was abrupt and didn't really make any sense, and a lot of the plot was driven by clichés, many of which just don't ring true at all.

I give it 4 stars because I wish I hadn't watched it and instead spent the time on a better movie, or maybe sleeping.

Gay for pay

[bkoganbing · 6/10 · 7 July 2014]

Buffering, a British comedy with a gay twist as a pair of gay males both become unemployed and are facing mounting bills. As they're both a pair of attractive lads Alex Anthony and Conner McKenzy decide that a lot of people would pay to see these two going at it carnally. It gives a new twist to the term 'gay for pay'.

They've even got a friend Jessica Matthews who is going through her own sexual self awakening, thinking she's possibly transgender. But she also has some marketing ideas and even suggests that they make it a three way. In fact both Anthony and McKenzy have been checking out their hunky next door neighbor Oliver Park and as he says he might not be gay, but he certainly is 'progressive'.

Buffering even for its admittedly low budget since about 3/4 of the action takes place in one apartment has some amusing moments. The players in the ensemble cast are bright and attractive. I'd recommend this to a gay and 'progressive' audience.

Alright film

[itsvivek4u · 15 July 2011]

When I finished watching the film, I wondered what would this film have been like if it was done in US by an independent film maker. It would visualize a raunchy, really bad film , something like a couple of ones that I recently saw in the film festival. This is not to say that the UK version was any better. The film was simple but there was something about it that saved it from being a cheap thrill vs a decent attempt at a satire comedy. The story is pretty simple and straight forward actually.

Seb and Aaron have been together for a while. Suddenly now they find themselves in huge debt because they both lose their jobs. Aaron has been hiding about his unemployment from Seb and has been engaging in internet porn for about 3 months now. This crisis forces them to channel in their entrepreneurial skills. Aaron secretly starts filming their sex life and uploading on internet. Soon he finds that people are actually paying to see them. When Seb finds out, he is initially quite disturbed but goes along since they both need the money. Becoming better at selling themselves, the physical, emotional and industry demands start to take a toll on their relationship. Enters Jem , their old roommate, who soon becomes their director and plans the whole record and upload internet phenomenon. She gives them tips to raise more money. The final nail in the coffin is when she suggests that it is getting repetitive and they need a third person to join. Enter their hot neighbor who is not gay but is progressive and wants to apply for the post. This is too much for Seb who has to deal with his inner fears and finally goes with the plan, making this live event their biggest success and also making all the money they need to pay off their debt.

The film has various humorous moments as Seb and Aaron move from casual vanilla sex going all the ay to kinky to make the videos more spicy and satisfying for their increasing fan base. It is all cheesy but then it is a gay film after all. The 2 guys acted well but the story gives them only a limited scope. Most story just is about they filming and people watching. IO am guessing the budget of the film would have been pretty low, since everything just happens in one house. The film is not bad but there is nothing in the film for repeat value.

It is purely a one time entertainer and that too if your entertainment expectations are very low. (4/10)

Silly

[cekadah · 2/10 · 25 July 2015]

A silly little piece of crap movie that is just too cute and sweet to be entertaining. Why did I watch it?

Plot - two lovers Seb & Aaron own a nice house and share an auto. One gets laid off from his job the other has his job hours cut due to budget restraints. Bills pile up, auto is repossessed, next to go will be their house. So one partner comes up with the idea of selling live sex scenes over the internet to viewers willing to pay. Bingo ... cash starts to flow in.

Enter Jem a female friend with ideas on how to expand this operation! But the leading character Seb is put off by this idea and suddenly walks away. Aaron and Jem must now find a new partner ... for the show must go on ..... boy next door shows up.

You can guess the end .... hint .... Seb comes home.

Posh Tosh

[jromanbaker · 3/10 · 17 December 2022]

I am a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ films but this film has absolutely nothing going for it. The posh English accents and the actors not being able to lift the dialogue to life was a total turn off, and yet the premise of the film could have been good. Two male lovers have lost their jobs and their large house is about to be repossessed. What do they do ? They have paying customers over the Internet to see them having the most fake sex I have seen since ' Brokeback Mountain, ' and even then I am hesitating to say that in that at least well made film there was a modicum of sexual success. Then enter a young woman who wants to give them sexual guidance and all credulity went out of the window. To add insult to injury a straight hunk wants to condescend to play at gay sex for money. No spoilers but the film goes from bad to worse. I am giving it a 3 for the premise which made me spend cash to buy it, but really, really I should have saved my money. This was nothing more than cold human meat served on a frozen plate.

Fun & frolics

[alimair85-983-807578 · 10/10 · 28 February 2011]

i found this film at a festival in Gran Canaria (where it won best script) and it was a great combination of comedy and drama with a blistering soundtrack and great performances.

Some funny lines and some moments of emotion...

All in all - good fun.

A young gay couple (Seb & Aaron) have overspent on their credit cards and have bills stacking up. One of them(Aaron) decides to sell their sex life online without telling the other one that he's secretly filming them. The money starts to pour in until he gets caught! Realising that their troubles are being "paid off by getting laid" Seb agrees to carry on until their back in the black. When their friend Jem turns up and suggests they introduce a third to really take them over the top things get dicey in their relationship...a wise "sex shop owner" counsels them both individually to make the right choices - be it choosing between Viagra or cialis (the blue pill or the orange) or choosing love over money or a threesome..!

A feel good romantic comedy

[Gordon-11 · 1 April 2012]

This film is about a couple who resorts to making homemade online porn to pay off mounting debt.

"Buffering" is a surprisingly well made film. If it has a low budget, it certainly does not show. Maybe the plentiful product placements (which does not feel contrived by the way) helped contributing to production costs. I really like the portrayal of the couple, they are realistic and convincing! They have to make ends meet, just like any ordinary real life couples. How their relationship changes as the pressure increases is also well depicted. Though the plot has a lot of clichés, especially involving the female best friend, I still find "Buffering" very enjoyable.

original working of a classic plot line

[s-wallas · 10/10 · 31 July 2011]

Feel compelled to write this film up after seeing it at a local screening. Taking one of the classic plot lines of financial adversity and marital tensions this story updates the well travelled paths of Full Monty and Calendar girls with a nice twist on contemporary fascination and technology - namely porn and the internet.

I fully bought into the relationship angst of our two leads and loved the conceit of the credit crunch backdrop. Clever - and marks this narrative out to be viewed as a fitting record to where we are and how we get out of the mess - well some anyway. That the couple in question are gay is irrelevant - they could have been straight and the story would have still worked.

Both touching and comedic in equal measure I laughed and nearly cried with the pathos of some scenes.

Wonderfully edited, good cast, lovely turns from a wonderful sage sex shop owner, nicely written and well directed I am in awe that this film was made for £30,000.

This is a great film for all audiences. Thoroughly recommend this film. Sexy but chaste given the thrust of the narrative ...no pun intended.