No family, or any relationship for that matter, is built the same. Our priorities and desires tend to change, and we may be expected to make life-altering decisions that shift the foundation of our relationships. In the delightfully crafted drama The Mattachine Family, director Andy Vallentine along with his husband, writer Danny Vallentine, explores the essence of family and the sturdiness of relationships.
Thomas (Nico Tortorella) and Oscar (Juan Pablo Di Pace) are a married couple at a crossroads. Over the span of a few minutes through a briskly edited montage, Thomas, a middle-aged photographer, recalls the moment he knew he was gay, the moment he received his first camera, and the moment his father died. This lively sequence is accomplished through voice-over concurring with photographs, in addition to characterizing Thomas as sweet-natured and endearingly loquacious.
Thomas goes on to talk about his husband. Oscar was a famous child star who, after being outed, was pushed out of the industry. Thomas recalls the moment he met Oscar at a wedding, and they quickly fell in love. Oscar wanted to start a family, but Thomas wasn’t as eager. Nevertheless, they agreed to take in a foster kid named Arthur. Thomas and Oscar fell in love with Arthur, but after his mother was released from prison, she regained custody of Arthur. In the present, Thomas is mourning Arthur’s departure while Oscar is out of state filming for a show.
Heartbroken by Arthur’s departure and feeling suffocated by Oscar’s acting career, Thomas begins contemplating fatherhood. In the central role, Tortorella is impressive, possessing an undeniable charm and a comforting smile. Even during the emotional beats, Tortorella proficiently gives way to more mournful remarks and expressions, subtly revealing the hurt that still exists after losing Arthur. That said, the constant narration is too syrupy and turgid. After the opening sequence, viewers, and Tortorella as well, could’ve done without the narration.
“Thomas and Oscar fell in love with Arthur, but after his mother was released from prison, she regained custody…”
In need of direction, Thomas gets advice from his friends, Leah (Emily Hampshire) and Sonia (Cloie Wyatt Taylor), a couple trying to get pregnant. Hampshire establishes a good repartee with Tortorella’s Thomas; their friendship is immensely enjoyable. In fact, Tortorella has good chemistry with all the supporting characters, and no supporting character is wasted.
If Thomas wasn’t sure he wanted to be a father before, he is now. But just like how Thomas had a change of heart, so did Oscar, referencing his career as the primary reason why having a child is not the best idea. The conflict between Thomas and Oscar is understandable, and both deserve happiness. By putting these characters in this realistic predicament, the Vallentines provide critical insight into what happens when partners don’t put in the work to understand each other’s wants and needs and what happens when they do. Additionally, the fact that they had to say goodbye to Arthur influences how they’re behaving now, be it consciously or subconsciously, which makes for compelling drama.
The film’s title is inspired by the 1950s national gay rights organization, Mattachine Society. There’s a scene of Thomas describing the organization’s origins to Leah, but that’s as far as the history lesson goes. The Vallentines know the kind of film they’re making. Sure, there are lines here and there that feel out of place, and characters arrive at their point of happiness too easily. But as far as the depiction of queer relationships goes, the film delivers, showing how every relationship has stages of intense bliss, deep-seated intimacy, and conflict.
With The Mattachine Family, it’s clear that the married filmmakers understand queer relationships and the challenges associated with parenting. And yet, despite focusing on the joys and hardships of love and family, the film retains a warm tone. Vallentine’s drama is a pleasant gathering of friends and romantic partners as they share tender moments and form an unbreakable family.
