‘4th Man Out’ Puts a Contemporary Spin on Orientation

Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Undoubtedly, one of the most poignant days of a gay person’s life is when they “come out” to family and friends. “4th Man Out” explores these moments, within the non-judgmental standards of the millennial generation. It’s only life, after all.

The beauty of the story lies in a couple of plot elements – the “4th Man” is part of a group of lifelong male friends who grew up together and are all “brothers from other mothers,’ plus it’s set in small town America. This allows for a little transitional awkwardness, but also provides some high level humor and authentic love to shine. This is a lower budget independent film, and has some of the surface indications of that status, but the filmmakers do more with less just by creating some deep and abiding characters.

Chris (Parker Young), Nick (Chord Overstreet), Ortu (Jon Gabrus) and Adam (Evan Todd) are four lifelong friends who also reside as 25 year-old adults in the small town they grew up in. They are as brothers, and constantly are either partying together or just hanging out. Adam has been hiding the fact that he is gay, and decides to start the process of coming out with his friends. Their reaction is supportive, with some minor transitional quirks.

Adam (Evan Todd) is the Man of ‘4th Man Out’
Photo credit: Gravitas Ventures

The problem is twofold – Chris and Adam’s relationship, as close as any blood relations, begins to unravel, plus Adam is dreading coming out to his family. The rest of the story focuses on those two issues, and seeks resolutions through trial error and hilarity. As Clarence the Angel once said, “no man is a failure who has friends.” And in this case, they’re all providing wings for Adam.

It’s the casualness of the reaction to Adam’s news that is ultimately the strength of the story. These are contemporary men, video gamers and beer bongers, who have better things to do then practice any judgement toward their friend. But still, it’s a buddy they’ve known for a long time, and they’re intrigued by – and in Chris’s case a bit perturbed – that he has lived a double life without including them. These are new emotional reactions to explore with such news, and “4th Man Out” mines a bit of contemporary territory. It’s also hilarious, with sharp dialogue and gentle silliness in the mix.

The four guys are all exceptional actors, and embrace their small town characters with gusto and precise comic timing. Parker Young and Evan Todd look like they stepped out of GQ magazine, while Chord Overstreet and Jon Gabrus are the lovable schlubs. Overstreet in particular has some nice quirks, as he seems most nervous on how to act around the proclamation. Impatient at one point, he is thrown a magazine to calm down. Through the rest of the film, he is seen reading progressively loftier tomes, which is a precious running gag.

The most familiar cast member is from TV’s “The Office,” the great Kate Flannery (who portrayed Meredith on that show). She plays Adam’s mother, and strikes a perfect balance between keeping her family together and dealing with Adam’s news. Her speech to him towards the conclusion is tear inducing, and she speaks for many families who don’t expect such turn of events, but want desperately and lovingly to understand them.

Left to Right: Nick (Chord Overstreet), Adam, Chris (Parker Young) and Ortu (Jon Gabrus) of ‘4th Man Out’
Photo credit: Gravitas Ventures

Director Andrew Nackman and writer Aaron Dancik did a great job of pulling this movie in the short window of independent filming, especially with the casting. There were a few elements that spoke to the independent nature of the production, and some cliches in the script that sometimes didn’t work in the overall atmosphere. There is even a controversial scene that might elicit some debate, but always in essence this is a sincere and bright story of friendship.

In thinking of the evolution with gay-themed cinema – from the bitter fears in “Boys in the Band” (1969) to the AIDS crisis in “Longtime Companion” (1989) to a show of normal camaraderie in “The Broken Hearts Club” (2000) to finally “4th Man Out” – there will be a day soon when these films won’t be characterized as “gay movies,” just as movies. That is the heart of the matter.

CLICK HERE [17] for an interview with some of the cast of “4th Man Out,” including Kate Flannery.

[19]	By PATRICK McDONALD [20] Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [19]