The Dying Gaul - D+

On DVD (2007). Rated R, 105 minutes. Trailer.

I guess I only have myself to blame for renting a movie with this plot (from IMDB): A grief-stricken screenwriter unknowingly enters a three-way relationship with a man and his wife - to chilling results. Fun! The draw for me was Peter Sarsgaard (aka the new John Malkovich), as he is one of my favorite actors. The film feels like a really bad gay play, complete with at least 20 minutes of bizarre scenes wherein the characters read their chat room discussions. Click below for more fun details on the movie I hated, but just couldn't turn off.

Campbell Scott is the married husband/film producer that seduces Sarsgaard's character, Robert. Robert is recovering from his partner's recent death, which he helped happen because of said partner's painful TB treatments that involve drilling into his brain. Campbell's character is married to Patricia Clarkson, who is decent as the scorned woman in this bizarre plot. After she finds out about the relationship through nefarious anonymous chatting, she tries to ruin them both. The thing goes bad, and ends with an accident killing Clarkson along with her kids. Just for fun, here are the IMDB keywords for this one: Plant Life / Homosexual / Screening Room / Marriage / M*sturbation Scene. Unbelievable.