Not many gay-themed shorts can boast a well-known name in the cast, but Curmudgeons can, as it stars and was directed by Danny DeVito. The short has know been released online via Vimeo, and you can take a look at it below.
The film follows Jackie (DeVito) and Ralphie (David Margulies) two old men who’ve fallen in love late in life. However, these grumpy guys can’t be together any longer, as Jackie breaks his hip and is separated from his boyfriend in a different assisted-living facility (something quite a few older gay couples face, as there is still a disparity in many places between how straight and gay couple are treated). The relationship shocks their families in this ‘potty-mouthed, but endearing, comedy’.
Sadly, since the short was filmed, Marguilies has died, but DeVito says he did see the film beforehand. De Vito told Vimeo, “David and I [were] very close – if you know what I mean – for a very long time. The first time we worked together was 1968 or ‘69. We [did] off-Broadway together, he directed me in a couple plays in New York, and he was a dear friend. So I obviously pushed myself into a role too; I had to give myself a part. We had a good time doing it. We did love each other. Really genuinely.
The actor/director adds, “When I was finished with the film, I had it on my computer and I brought it up to David in Manhattan. He was very, very ill. He was struggling – fighting for his life basically – and he got to see it. It was a great experience. It was just about finished, it didn’t have the music in it yet, but everything else was there. He passed away shortly after in January.”
Take a look at Curmudgeons below. If you know a short film we ought to be posting, tell us by getting in touch via our contact page. And check out more gay short films and web series here.
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