It’s probably nothing to be alarmed about, but in a few recent high-profile movies, gay characters are being killed off.
This includes the Oscar-nominated movie “Close” and the M. Night Shyamalan flick “Knock at the Cabin,” as well as the Jim Parsons vehicle “Spoiler Alert” (Focus).
With four well-deserved Emmy Awards to his name for his singular portrayal of Sheldon Cooper on “The Big Bang Theory,” out actor Parsons established himself as a comic genius. Since that time, he’s also proven himself to be an equally capable dramatic actor via his performances in the movie version of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart,” and the remake of Mart Crowley’s “The Boys in the Band.”
Parsons continues that trajectory with “Spoiler Alert,” the movie adaptation of Michael Ausiello’s 2017 memoir “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies.” Directed by Michael Showalter, the same straight man who showed sensitivity to gay characters in the Oscar-winning “The Eyes of Tammy Faye,” with a screenplay by two gay men – actor David Marshall Grant and writer Dan Savage – “Spoiler Alert” is nothing less than respectful to its queer characters.
Michael (Parsons), a staff writer for “TV Guide,” considers his line of work to be a dream job as he long imagined his childhood as an ’80s sitcom (“Spoiler Alert” features a few reenactment fantasies to illustrate the point). To prove he’s not “allergic to fun,” he joins a gay co-worker at a bar for a themed night. There he sees Kit (Ben Aldridge), whom Michael describes as a “sweatband-wearing matinee idol.” As luck would have it, Michael is Kit’s type – “a tall dweeb.”
They share personal details to get to know each other better. Kit’s a photographer who designs ads. He’s an only child from Pennsylvania, where his retired parents Marilyn (Sally Field) and Bob (Bill Irwin) still reside. Marilyn is a triathlete, and Kit is not out to either parent. Michael is a middle child whose parents are dead. His childhood obsessions include Christmas and soap operas. He’s an FFK (former fat kid) who still has body issues.
A textbook case of opposites attracting, they begin a courtship, eventually moving in together. A first serious relationship for both, they come to it from different places. It’s more of a serious adjustment for Kit whose previous relationships tended to be a series of hookups, while Michael lives in fear of having his heartbroken.
They have a pretty good run, which includes 11 years of shared Christmas pics. But during their 13th year together, they see Tony (Grant), a couple’s counselor. Michael accuses Kit of always being on Grindr (looking, not touching, as per their agreement), always being stoned, watching too much TV, and flirting with office stud Sebastian (Anton Porowski). Kit accuses Michael of being at the office too much, and drinking too much, but not willing to get high with Kit. They try a temporary separation, with Michael staying in their apartment, and Kit moving to Brooklyn.
At one of their Christmas parties, Kit reveals that he hasn’t been feeling well. A visit to his doctor reveals that a growth has been found and he is scheduled for a biopsy. The story takes a turn for the worse when Kit is diagnosed with a rapidly growing neuroendocrine tumor.
No spoilers here, but what follows is a series of heartbreaking scenes, including one in which Field (who is wonderful throughout) gets to have another “Steel Magnolias” moment, while Parson has his own Shirley-MacLaine-in-“Terms-of-Endearment” scene. This is a whole-box-of-tissues movie, and it’s surprising that it was overlooked at the Golden Globes and the Oscars, considering the strength of the lead performances, the writing, and direction.
Rating: B+
“Spoiler Alert” is now streaming exclusively on Peacock.
Gregg Shapiro is the author of eight books including the poetry chapbook Fear of Muses (Souvenir Spoon Books, 2022). An entertainment journalist, whose interviews and reviews run in a variety of regional LGBTQ+ and mainstream publications and websites, Shapiro lives in Fort Lauderdale with his husband Rick and their dog Coco.
