Gray Matters (2006 film)

Gray Matters is a 2006 American romantic comedy film directed and written by Sue Kramer, starring Heather Graham, Tom Cavanagh, and Bridget Moynahan. The film premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival on October 21, 2006. It opened in limited release in the United States on February 23, 2007.

Gray Matters
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Sue Kramer
Screenplay by	Sue Kramer
Produced by	Bob Yari John J. Hermansen Jill Footlick Sue Kramer
Starring	Heather Graham Bridget Moynahan Tom Cavanagh Molly Shannon Rachel Shelley Alan Cumming Sissy Spacek
Cinematography	John Bartley
Edited by	Wendey Stanzler
Music by	Andrew Hollander
Production companies	Bella Films Archer Entertainment[1]
Distributed by	El Camino Pictures Yari Film Group Freestyle Releasing[2]
Release dates	October 21, 2006 (2006-10-21) (Hamptons International Film Festival) February 23, 2007 (2007-02-23) (United States)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Box office	$944,479[3]

Plot

Gray, a family-oriented and quiet bachelorette, lives a close-knit life with her brother, Sam. Their lifestyle is generally co-dependent, involving them living together, going to dance classes together, etc. Gray and Sam's relationship has never been thought of as strange, but once a dinner party guest mistakes the siblings as a couple, Gray and Sam decide to venture outside of one another. While discussing what they can do about their single lifestyles and how they can "hook each other up" with a significant other, their conversation continues to the park, where Gray spots a possible girlfriend for Sam. Gray introduces herself to Charlie, then to Sam, and the two instantly like each other, agreeing to see each other again.

To Gray's surprise, Sam and Charlie become engaged the morning after their meeting. Charlie and Sam are so madly in love with one another that they plan to go to Las Vegas the following morning and elope there. They invite Gray along. Gray is a little hesitant, but agrees when Charlie says they can have a "mini bachelorette party". Gray agrees and the three make their way to Vegas. While in Vegas, Gray takes Charlie out for a hen night, and after many drinks, the two share a drunken but passionate kiss. The next morning, Charlie does not remember anything, but Gray has not slept the whole night, because of how she felt with Charlie. The situation makes Gray finally realize that not only is she attracted to women, but is falling in love with her sister-in-law.

The events in Vegas force a journey of self-discovery, testing the relationship between two very close siblings, and to finding happiness in lonely Manhattan. When Gray eventually comes out to Sam as a lesbian, he tells her that he has known all along, since they were young kids.

Later, Sam accidentally discloses Gray's sexual orientation to her entire office, which, along with Sam's encouragement, gives her impetus to find her true self, pursue relationships with women, and find her own someone to love.

Cast

• Heather Graham as Gray Baldwin
• Bridget Moynahan as Charlotte ("Charlie") Kelsey
• Tom Cavanagh as Sam Baldwin
• Molly Shannon as Carrie
• Rachel Shelley as Julia Barlett
• Bill Mondy as Jordan Phillips
• Don Ackerman as Conrad Spring
• Warren Christie as Trevor Brown
• Alan Cumming as Gordy
• Sissy Spacek as Dr. Sydney
• Gloria Gaynor as herself

Production

Gray Matters was shot on location in New York City in twenty-one days.^{[citation needed]} The screenplay was partially inspired by the life of the director's sister, Carolyn.^[4]

Release

Gray Matters premiered at the Hamptons International Film Festival, in the Spotlight section, on October 21, 2006.^[5][6] It opened theatrically in limited release in New York and Los Angeles on February 23, 2007.^[7]

Home media

The DVD was released in Region 1 by Fox Home Entertainment on June 19, 2007.^[8][9] It was released in Region 2 by Momentum Pictures on August 13, 2007.^[10][11]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 8% of 65 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 3.8/10. The website's consensus reads: "Gray Matters tries emulating Hollywood screwball classics, but the rapid fire dialogue and witticisms comes off only as a contrived gimmick."^[12] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 31 out of 100, based on 19 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable" reviews.^[13]

References

1. Scheib, Ronnie (October 25, 2006). "Gray Matters". Variety. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
2. "Gray Matters". Freestyle Releasing. 2007. Archived from the original on 2019-02-18. Retrieved 2015-04-10.
3. "Gray Matters". Box Office Mojo. 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
4. Wahrman, Anna (February 11, 2007). "Making "Gray Matters"". AfterEllen. Archived from the original on December 9, 2007.
5. "14th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival - Screening of 'Gray Matters'". Wire Image. October 21, 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
6. Masone, Marian (December 2, 2006). "Shades of 'Gray'". The Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
7. Holden, Stephen (February 23, 2007). "Brother and Sister, With Similar Taste in Girls". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
8. Beierle, Aaron (June 23, 2007). "Gray Matters". DVD Talk. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
9. "Gray Matters". Amazon. 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
10. DVD Reviewer (August 13, 2007). "Gray Matters (UK)". myreviewer.com. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
11. "Gray Matters". Amazon. 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2019.
12. "Gray Matters". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
13. "Gray Matters". Metacritic. Retrieved January 26, 2024.

External links

• Official website
• Gray Matters at IMDb
• Gray Matters at Yari Film Group
• Gray Matters at BFI