Before You Know It (2013) Reviews

• Growing old is funny and painful.

  lauraohata-142-3597152014-07-30

  Dennis, Robert and Ty are survivors. They never had any children, and many of their closest friends passed away during the AIDS epidemic. No longer "young and fabulous," they have a difficult time feeling welcome among younger gay men. In spite of this, Dennis, Robert and Ty do their best to make ends meet and have a good time. "Before You Know It" follows three gay men who face the challenges of retirement. Dennis, Robert and Ty seek love and community acceptance in the post-AIDS era. Directed by PJ Raval, and edited by Kyle Henry, this documentary addresses aging with humor, dignity and compassion. While "Before You Know It" covers an LGBT subject, general audiences will find inspiration in universal themes. As "men of a certain age," Dennis, Robert and Ty aren't afraid to make fools out of themselves, and behave like their younger fellows. After all, why should age preclude anyone from having fun. "Before You Know It" teaches us all how to live life to the fullest, even in the toughest of times.

• An Incredible Documentary "Must See"!

  mashupthemusic2014-07-30

  A powerful LGBT documentary feature that everyone out there needs to see - Young, Old, Gay, Straight, Bi, Trans or otherwise! Great job PJ Raval and congratulations on a film well done!! My husband and I saw this for a private screening at The Writer's Guild and I must say, both of us were very impressed by it as a whole. The most brilliant part about it is that it forces us(as aging gay men in America) to see just what it will feel like when we "get there" someday. I don't think any of us as gale males ever thought hard or long enough on what our lives might actually be like once we finally become well over the hill. This film depicts just that scenario through three very different yet strong and emotionally felt characters, all being completely different from the next. We soon realize, these men all came out as young men in the 70's and into the 80's and each have survived the plague of the AIDS epidemic, unlike most of their friends and they are now here to tell you their tale. You must see this film, especially if you are a gale male who ever wanted to give it some real thought of what growing old might really feel or be like. An exceptional, well plotted-out documentary that paints a vivid "in your face" portrait of what the golden years could be like.