Getting It is about two drowning men who throw each other a lifeline. After being dumped by his cabaret partner boyfriend, Jaime (Tom Heard), a talented singer, angrily shuts out the world, only singing for himself and always putting his own needs first. His best friend Elaine (Sharron Bower) has had it, and calls out his selfishness, which only hurts Jamie and pushes him further inward.

Next door, Ben (Donato De Luca), a poet whose mother has passed away, can’t seem to shake his depression, taking on the life of a hermit with his brother, Luke, and sister-in-law, Alicia. When Alicia asks Jamie to reach out to Ben, Jamie sees his opportunity to be generous and prove Elaine wrong. Slowly, Jamie starts falling for Ben. But has Jamie really changed?

SNAPSHOT REVIEW

While it doesn’t sound like an interesting story line for movie, it certainly is a story line about how life is sometimes. Yes, the movie moves along quite slowly, and takes some time to develop, but there are a few endearing moments that capture your attention bringing things back into focus. In the end it’s about relationships. Relationship with yourself, with friends, and with loved ones. Also looking at one’s own dreams and aspiration. Is there a time to give up on these, or do you just need someone to relight the candle? The connection between Jamie and Ben is platonic at first, then develops into a relationship, then falters as neither is confident or sure enough in themselves. The story of two insular artists who need each other, yet don’t realize it. Worth the watch.

Director’s Statement

When I sat down to write, Getting It, I wanted to write a love story for two men where being gay wasn’t the story. No one would be coming out hoping for acceptance or worried about disapproval from anyone. Just a film about two men whose life journeys led them to each other and where their individual personality traits and circumstances are the story.

Interpersonal relationships and the dynamics between two people have always fascinated me far more than any other kind of story. Especially when those two people are trying to merge their lives. The personal flaws, insecurities, and desires any two people bring to a relationship present a multitude of hurdles and obstacles. And when love is present the stakes are high.

This is the kind of movie I choose to make and the kind of movie I hope, Getting It is.

To make a relationship-based film I knew I had to find exceptional actors to bring the story to life and hold the audience’s interest. I am very fortunate that, Getting It has brilliant actors who supply everything their characters require and more. They are a writer/director’s dream come true. And as an actor, it is always exciting for me to play a scene with actors who not only knocks the ball over the net but put their own unique spin on it. So as an actor/writer/director I was thrilled on all levels.

Getting It is a statement about getting out of your own way. Tearing down the walls of insecurity, doubt and selfishness people build up that isolate them from the world. This is what the central character, Jamie has done. He is an angry, wounded soul when the film opens. When Ben enters Jamie’s life with his own set of challenges and vulnerabilities, Jamie has a choice to make. Either maintain the comfortable status quo of brooding and mistrust in his self-made isolation, or recognize that life is what one puts into it and summon the courage, energy and good faith to put someone else first and possibly reap the rewards of living an unselfish life.

– Tom Heard, Writer, Producer and Director of Getting It

Watch Now

Writer/Producer/Director: Tom Heard

Cast: Tom Heard, Donato De Luca, Sharron Bower, Lesley Pedersen, Jason Graf, Adrian Laguette

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist with a focus on travel, lifestyle, entertainment and hospitality. He has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He enjoys discovering delicious eats, tasting spirited treats, and being mesmerized by musical beats.