By EWEN MCDONALD
***
Running time: 96 mins
In stores: Now
Leo's been sprung. He was going to spend his 30th birthday with a Chinese takeaway and a few beers but friends and lovers have organised a surprise party. Surrounded by them, Leo (Kevin McKidd) flashes back to his time in a New Age men's group where, holding the "honesty stone," he admitted he was guy and attracted to Brendan, a dark and handsome Irishman. That's news to the group, especially Brendan (James Purefoy). For Brendan is partners - in the business and out-of-office meaning of the word - with Sally (Jennifer Ehle).
Meanwhile Leo's gay flatmate, Darren (Tom Hollander), is having an affair with real estate agent Jeremy (Hugo Weaving), who gets his kicks having sex in the houses he's trying to sell.
Leo's announcement offers the opportunity for the men to share their feelings, bond on a wild man weekend and generally scoot off into New Age self-discovery in this off-centre comedy from director Rose Troche (Go Fish).
Smart, well written and produced, Bedrooms & Hallways is often accurate and revealing about friendship and deeeper relationships. Some wonderful performances, too, from Simon Callow as the group leader, Weaving being suitably sordid, and Hollander stealing the film as Danny, the leopard-skin coated, platform-sneakered queen. It suffers from everyone trying a tad too hard to make a point, but is broad enough to reach a wide audience.
Video: Bedrooms and hallways
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