'Trick' examines fledgling love

"Trick," is a lighthearted love story that examines two males falling in love over the course of a crazy night in New York City. Much of the film's charm comes from its laid-back demeanor regarding the relationship - it conveys that what's happening to the characters is monumental without actually spelling it out.

When we first meet Gabriel (Christian Campbell), he's a wired writer, who seems to have quite a bit of trouble expressing himself and his feelings. Most of his time is spent in an office, working on his musical or with his best friend Katherine (Tori Spelling).

Courtesy of FineLine Features Christian Campbell plays Gabriel, a young writer looking for love in "trick."

And so, despite the fact that he's on the prowl for a partner, Gabriel always seems to end up selling himself short.

All of this changes when he comes across Mark (John Paul Pitoc), a go-go boy who caught his eye earlier that night in the subway. The laid back and easygoing Mark provides the perfect contrast to the rigid Gabriel, and the two quickly hit it off. So Gabriel invites Mark back to his apartment for a little peace and quiet. The pair are then greeted by Katherine (she's using Gabriel's computer to print out 150 copies of her resumes) and, a few minutes later, by Gabriel's roommate. And so the two set off for a night in the city, all in search of a private room.

The film's biggest surprise comes in its cast, none of whom, save Spelling, are very recognizable to audiences. Campbell (the brother of actress Neve Campbell) is on target as the frustrated Gabriel, slowly letting the character's feelings come to the surface through the course of the film.

Spelling is also a bit of a surprise, turning in an over-the-top and enthusiastic performance as an aspiring actress.

A nice touch by those behind the film, is the fact that drag queen Miss Coco Peru is a dead ringer for Spelling.

Unlike many of today's movies, "Trick" gives its characters the time to grow and change before our eyes. The Gabriel that we see at the end of the film is much different than the one at the beginning, and the changes are a slow progression, rather than an instant shift.

The same can be said for almost every significant character in the story. This is a tribute to first-time film director Jim Fall who avoids the clichés and ends up giving us a legitimate look at a relationship.

"Trick" is well-written and acted, and although it's rarely laugh-out-loud funny, it provides an interesting look at a relationship in its fledgling stage.

09-10-99