By: Daniel P’Lopez
The Mattchine Family is an indie LGBTQ+ film directed by Andy Vallentine and written by Andy and Danny Vallentine. The film focus is around the life of a married gay couple in Silverlake (LA), played by Nico Tortorella, and Juan Pablo Di Pace. The apparently perfect couple, Thomas and Oscar, seem to have the ideal gay life, but something is missing without a family that includes kids. The two end up fostering an elementary school kid named Arthur, who brings joy and love into their lives.
After a year, Arthur’s mother comes back wanting full custody, and it changes their perfect little world. Oscar, a former child actor wants to move on without kids as he is more focused on his career in the entertainment world, and wants to redeem his adult career. Thomas, a photographer, falls in love with the idea of having a family of his own. It creates issues and strain in their relationship because both are wanting two different things for themselves and their lives together.
Thomas is determined to get Arthur back, but when he finally realizes that won’t happen, Thomas comes up with the idea to have a child of his own. Thomas seems lost without Arthur, or a family of his own, and after meeting another gay father who gives Thomas the push to go to a sperm bank to have a kid. Thomas tries but what works for one doesn’t always work for the other. Thomas and Oscar eventually split, but life goes on for Thomas, who still does not know where to go or what to do. Once Thomas receives a call from his social worker, he stumbles upon the mattachine steps where he has been before with his best friend played by Emily Hampshire. Thomas gets to have a baby and everyone is happy in the end.
Both Nico Tortorella and Juan Pablo Di Pace do a fine job of interpreting the script of Andy and Danny Vallentine. This film is certainly one of the best gay oriented film available today.
As a gay man who once wanted to be a father and have kids of my own, I know how it is and how it feels to want to have that normalcy of a life with your partner, with kids and as a family. I think most of us think it or want it in our lives, but it shows that not every person does wants kids or is meant to be a parent. But it’s a great thing that many LGBTQ+ people are having kids and living their lives as it portrays this in this film.
It shouldn’t matter what orientation someone is, or who they love, as long as there is love in the relationship in the home and within the family that is all that should matter. “The Mattachine Family’, is an interesting film that explores the complexities of relationships and family dynamics. The film seems to touch on important themes such as the desire for children, career aspirations, and the challenges of navigating legal custody battles. It’s refreshing to see diverse representations of LGBTQ+ families in media and I hope this film brings attention to the unique experiences and struggles faced by these families.
The Mattachine Family is available now through streaming.