I AM MICHAEL

US, 2015, 95 minutes, Colour.
James Franco, Zachary Quinto, Charles Carver, Emma Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Leslie Ann Warren.
Directed by Justin Kelly.

The Michael of the title is Michael Glatze on whose experience the story is based.

At the opening, he appears in 2008 as a pastor during a counselling session with a young man with a homosexual orientation, indicating that the man could change, and drawing on biblical teaching for his point of view.

The transition in the screenplay is strong, going back to San Francisco in 1998 where Michael is an openly gay man, a well-known journalist on a gay magazine, and in a partnership which seems to be solid and has a future. Michael is played by James Franco, who has been involved in a number of gay-friendly features and documentaries. Zachary Quinto is his partner. The film has been executive produced by Gus Van Sant.

Michael seemed to have everything going for him, work on the magazine, strong editorial discussions about stances to be taken, many critical of more evangelical religious organisations who use biblical arguments against homosexuality. He is popular as a speaker and a number of gay men express their appreciation of his perspective and advice. When his partner, Ben, gets an invitation to go to Canada for work, Michael hesitates but goes with him. However, in Canada he is unsettled, his outlet being a blog.

But, on the way, he visits his old home town of Olympia, remembers the effect of his mother, encounters a young gay man who prays devoutly at a family funeral, seeming to be able to cope with his sexual orientation and his religious faith. Michael has entered into a new relationship which becomes a threesome with Ben. The have a grant to travel around the United States interviewing young gay people and presenting their findings to audiences for discussion.

Michael, however, has a panic attack, remembering his father’s illness and sudden death. While he is reassured, his mind turns to thoughts of death, God, faith, life after death. To the surprise of everyone, especially Ben and the readers of the blog, Michael starts to talk about faith, changing his sexual orientation, returning to what is “normal”, phrases which hurt Ben and others who read the blog.

In fact, Michael leaves Ben, travels in the United States, decides to go to biblical school to get a degree and to become a pastor. While he is there and plays in a recital, music having been his major study at university, he encounters a young woman, Rebecca (Emma Roberts) who is to be his future wife. While he still wants a certain independence in his life, he does become a pastor with his own church. (The screenplay also takes up the theme seen at the beginning of the film, with the young man not following through the advice that he received from Michael.)

The film ends in 2008 with Michael and Rebecca on the verge of the Ministry in their own church, which seems rather open-ended. However, the actual Michael Glatze saw the film and approved of it, which seems to mean that there has been until now a happy-ever-after ending with Michael pursuing his religious direction, moving away from his sexual orientation).

It is interesting that James Franco supported this film, which seems to offer an open-mind on changes in sexual orientation while maintaining that this is, if not impossible, rather improbable.

1. A true story? The perspective on homosexuality, the possibilities for change to heterosexuality?

2. An American story, San Francisco, Colorado, Wyoming? The scenes in Canada, Halifax? The sense of each city? The musical score?

3. The opening, Michael and his client, discussions about homosexuality, lifestyle, trying to persuade the young boy, his stances – and Michael later
seeing that the advice was not followed?

4. 1998, San Francisco, Michael and his look, blonde hair, gay lifestyle, his partnership with Bennett, the domestic life, the outings together? Is working on the magazine, the staff meetings, discussion about stances, the churches and moral attitudes? His articles, the influence, being quoted, giving talks? The gay culture, Michael and his having accepted his orientation after his childhood, his self-esteem?

5. Bennett, his personality, discussions with Michael, loving him, their shared life? The invitation to Halifax for the job? Michael agreeing? Finding it too difficult after a time, blogging, not enough and his leaving?

6. The visit to Olympia, memories of his growing up, flashbacks to his mother? Her death? His concern about his father, heart disease, walking along and suddenly collapsing and dying? Michael and his panic attacks, Bennett taking him to hospital, the doctor, the repeat requests, the tests? His not having his father’s disease?

7. Meeting Tyler at the club, the encounter, sexual? Bringing him home, threesome?

8. The documentary, the grant, the three travelling the United States, the variety of interviews, the people and their comments, excerpts used for presentations, audience reaction?

9. Michael and his panic, sense of his health, his father, consciousness and death, of afterlife, of religious dimensions? Watching people? The importance of the gay man, the funeral, his prayer, Christianity as credible? Michael sharing, sense of God, going into the church? His enquiry, the Scriptures, talking with
Tyler and Bennett?

10. The blog, his change of stances, the articles, his hurting people and their basic attitudes, his references to abnormal and normal life…? God’s attitude?

11. His conversion, in himself, becoming more stern, reading the Scriptures, quoting them? Enrolling in Bible school? The lectures, his learning?

12. His piano recital, his musical background, Rebecca watching him, meeting in the diner, their talking, the date, and her not liking sushi? Rebecca and her clothes, a friend warning about her dress, not tempting men, warning about Michael? Rebecca googling and discovering the truth? Michael coming to talk with her?

13. The phone call to Bennett, Bennett saying how hurt he was, Michael’s stances, Bennett wishing him well?

14. Becoming a pastor, yet his sense of independence, his having to get his diploma in private? In the church, the sense of panic, people coming in? Rebecca supporting him?

15. In fact, his work as a pastor, his marriage to Rebecca? His approving the film?

16. Gay themes in characters, principles, magazines and articles, blogs? Bennett, Tyler, the editor and staff, the various friends?

17. Audience belief in and response to possibilities of changing orientation? Christian and biblical beliefs?