Butch Camp (1996) User Reviews

Undeniably Campy

[Suradit · 5/10 · 9 April 2015]

If you choose to watch a movie called "Butch Camp" about a lesbian (pictured on the poster or DVD cover wearing leather and brandishing a whip) who runs a training course meant to toughen up wimpy gays, it might be a tad ingenuous to complain about it leaning heavily on stereotypes, as at least one reviewer did. It's a bit like watching a Marx Brothers movie entitled "A Day at the Races" and complaining that Dr. Hackenbush wasn't really a qualified physician… what did you expect? I hasten to add that I'm not implying this movie is on a par with a Marx Brothers production.

Assuming you're in the mood for a farce that employs slapstick, ridiculous characters, improbable situations and, yes, exaggerated stereotypes, this was reasonably well done. Paul Denniston, who played the lead, may have slightly overdone the clueless nature & reactions of his character, and somewhat disturbingly wore the same clothes 24/7, but he and the other central actors were likable and their performances were actually quite good given the context in which they were working.

It's a bit hard to give the movie a rating. The premise and the story development are both absurd, but the actors manage to save it from being a disaster. It's not rolling-on-the-floor funny, but it is amusing. If you enjoy this sort of thing, it's definitely watchable, but not exactly memorable.

Missed opportunity

[Davalon-Davalon · 5/10 · 9 October 2022]

Despite the fact that this film was inexplicably trying to tell about five stories at once, it still had about 10-15 hysterically funny moments. It could have been so much better if the stories had connected, but because whoever wrote this had an agenda or joke to make or stereotype to capture, it just went boomeranging inside a crazy box.

Judy Tenuta, who played the Butch Camp leader (and the Butch Camp was only one of the story lines in this crazy quilt of insanity), was initially funny, but ultimately, she was a one-note joke and she never got beyond screaming and yelling. I never got a sense of character. Paul Denniston, who is frequently compared to Michael J. Fox in reviews, was, on the other hand, consistently funny and although he wasn't given a deep character to portray, his comic timing, his commitment to what the character was and his great personal appeal made me an instant fan.

Again, some gut-busting lines and I might watch it again if I were in the mood to laugh, but unfortunately the disparate story lines, which the screenwriter tried (unsuccessfully) to weave together, were so distracting and unsatisfactory that the movie just doesn't cut it.

For a one-time viewing, it works... but only if you're gay and/or are familiar with enough 90s trivia to recognize the too frequent attempts to be "contemporary."

the band kiss sucks

[knick666 · 25 April 2003]

i really dont know why everyone is slamming this moive. i thought it was a rather funny romantic gay comedy. i saw this movie in a theater in chicago at a Tromathon and had to pick it up. it has a good plot and good actors. this movie is for both gay and straight people so everyone pick this movie up.

Insipid "Gaysploitation" Tripe that makes a Leg Wax look like a more appealing alternative...

[TSWolf-2 · 1/10 · 16 February 1999]

Whiny, annoying character somehow manages to get his dreams of seducing a straight friend come true despite having no socially-redeeming qualities whatsoever. Any possibility of identifying with the main character is completely undone by bad writing and a total dependency on cliche to define the characters.

Oh, and Judy Tenuta gets some chances to show off her standard stand-up routines in a sub-plot involving her "Butch Camp" gay-male-self-improvement courses.

Film actually succeeds in making Male Movement seminars look tame.

Butch Camp is Bad Camp

[jamesmccormack · 3/10 · 8 January 2011]

An amateur production filmed in Chicago with with lots of stereotypes. From dykes with bikes, to cross dressers to bitchy queens, the fill is a complete guide to gay stereotypes. The film goes on way too long...you will find yourself looking at watch...A LOT. Bad script. Even worst editing. Lousy acting. The film half of the film is barely passable, the second half is terrible. Just turn off the DVD and go do other more important things...like ironing. Paul Denniston is a likable sort but cannot carry a film. So called comedian Judy Tenuta is embarrassing to watch. Her segments seem to have been filmed separately and inserted into the film randomly. The rest of the cast should look for a new line of work...acting is out.

It was okay...

[trash_g · 3/10 · 13 July 2006]

I rented this movie from one of my local video stores and hunkered down to watch. I wanted to love it. I really, really did, but...

While I love Judy Tenuta and always will, but her performance was rather weak, and her scenes at the Butch Camp were horribly directed and boring. In fact, it didn't seem like much of a camp at all. Perhaps "camp" in the title was supposed to mean that this film was supposed to be campy (which it wasn't).

But overall, the acting was probably the best thing about this meager attempt to be funny (which it rarely was). I guess it probably broke ground as a gay film when it was originally released, but the plot was incredibly flimsy and rambled a bit. I didn't care about most of the characters. There seemed to be many good ideas, but none of the plot lines offered much of a payoff in the end.

Absolute disaster of a movie

[stevedgrossman · 1/10 · 26 May 2023]

I only started to watch it, because it was free.

It is an utter letdown from start to finish. The plot is a convoluted mess. The characters are shallow and unrelatable, lacking the depth necessary to invest in their journeys. The attempts at humor fall flat, relying on tired stereotypes and tasteless jokes that only serve to reinforce negative stereotypes.

The direction is lackluster, with uninspired cinematography and a disjointed editing style that further hampers any sense of flow or cohesion. It feels like a haphazardly assembled collage of scenes rather than a cohesive cinematic experience.

The performances are equally disappointing, with actors who seem disengaged and deliver their lines with little conviction or emotional range. The lack of chemistry among the cast further exacerbates the film's inherent flaws.

Additionally, the production values leave much to be desired. The set designs and costumes are cheap and lack authenticity, failing to transport the audience into the world of the film. The soundtrack feels generic and fails to enhance the viewing experience in any meaningful way.

Overall, Butch Camp is a forgettable and poorly executed film that fails to live up to its potential. It lacks originality, compelling storytelling, and memorable performances. Save yourself the frustration and seek out better alternatives in the genre.

Far better entertainment than its iMDb rating would portend.

[airhead_abmem · 10/10 · 11 October 2003]

I watched this film before I checked the rating here on iMDb. For that small bit of luck I am most happy.... The existing rating of 4.7 (when I checked) grossly underrates the enjoyment I got watching this film. It is a terribly cute comedy with good acting and a funny story line. It may not be the most believable story line, I will grant you, but for entertainment it certainly is just fine. As far as "gay themed" movies, I certainly rank it among the most watchable comedies that I have managed to view.

very light romantic comedy

[Maven_ · 10/10 · 7 May 2004]

I don´t know what other ppl were expecting, a gay revolution maybe, but I don´t think movies must have that role, they must just entertain and be simple, as Butch Camp is. A light romantic comedy, and the actors they were not bad. I really liked Judy Tenuta, after seeing the film I became a fan of her style and Jason Teresi had that "thing" you know? Even if he wasn´t so beautiful I think he would still be standing tall in his acting. And of course Paul Denniston was very funny as the fragile and always temerous Matt. Those ppl bashing this movie are used to gay porn, so I guess they were frustrated not to see any - and terrified to find out gay people can actually love and desire a steady relationship, with love and everything. That´s it!

Some queens just want everything to be all wrapped up in one perfect movie: Get real.

[MrEguy · 20 January 2003]

Having been a big fan of the Giver-Goddess (Judy) for over a decade, I rented this flick the other day. True, the acting and the direction of the actors could've been a lot better. The film is loaded, purposefully, with innuendo, cliché and stereotype humor. I knew that when it all started! The characters are likeable and the writing is ripe with gay sarcasm and campiness. What I loved most of all is my being pleasantly surprised that this is actually, in the end, an adorable romantic comedy! Well worth viewing. A thoroughly enjoyable film. Some queens just want everything to be all wrapped up in one perfect movie: Get real.

Getting Into The Real "Butch Camp"

[teresij · 10/10 · 8 February 2000]

Although "Butch Camp" was a weak film, it did have it's redeeming qualities. It gave light wings to a hard and over looked metal shell. When you open up that shell you find laughter and some good acting.

Paul Denniston is pretty funny as the sorry Matt who needs and learns to stand up for himself. His Michael J. Foxish performance is second to none along with his timing.

Judy Tenuda is classic Judy. What more can you say. It's her stand up on the big screen.

Jason Teresi is the "Serious and Straight" (forgive the pun), in an over the top movie. He provides a much needed "realism" that adds drama, love, tenderness, and heart to the film. He pulls the movie together from all of the crazy directions it's going and brings them into a well rounded ball with no jagged edges. His performance is outstanding, which simply means that he stands out. If you focus the plot more on Matt and Rod, This could have been a whole different story and film.

Judy Tenuta is not the star--rent this movie.

[TCJim · 10/10 · 14 January 2000]

I was fortunate enough to see "Butch Camp" on one of it's few appearances on the big screen. Judy Tenuta is not the star of the movie. It is not gaysploitation. Some of the events may be a little preposterous. I base my rating of 10 for this movie on: I was entertained--and I left the theater feeling great. For gay men, especially, I highly recommend renting this film and watching it with a good friend.

Love It

[rava-1 · 9/10 · 15 April 2006]

Butch Camp is as fun as a Popsicle on a summer day. Sure it's messy, but it is a lot of fun to eat. Lighten up your expectations and love it for all its campy glory. It's as good in its own way as Repo Man, Preaching to the Peverted, Heathers or some similar cult classic.

Is the acting less than great? Sure! Does it exploit every gay AND straight stereotype in the book? Sure! Is it a trite romantic comedy? Sure! Does it matter? Not at all!!!

For some reason, this little flick is just darn satisfying. Every time I see it, I laugh at the stupid jokes and feel satisfied when the happy ending comes around. So what, feed me to the "hetero _ _ores," I just can't help myself!!!

A veiled homophobic stinker

[smarkland · 23 December 2001]

I wonder if the film ever got to the point where the characters realized they did not need to get "butched up," if they ever realized that they were fine the way they were. I wonder if the insipid main character, portrayed by an actor doing a horrible Michael J. Fox impression, ever came out at work thus ending what was unfunny workplace discrimination based on sexual identity. I have to wonder because I could not stomach watching this film to the end. I literally watched an hour thinking there would be something funny or that it would start to become redeeming. It did not.

What was the target audience here? Who would find any of these pathetic situations funny? I can only surmise that it was made for quasi-self-hating gay men who are not out in most areas of their lives and can relate to the ridiculous gyrations of the main character's attempt to become more butch. (Was there ever worst casting involved? The actors portrayal of nelly was simply not nelly, he was just nervous. An obvious straight actor portraying nervousness, prudishness, and self-righteousness but missing the nelly mark altogether.)

I give this movie half a star for being able to find funding at all.