Any Day Now

Unearthing thought-provoking story content for films nowadays is like finding gold. By translating the injustice and prejudice of gay adoption rights in the 1970s into a feature length film, director Travis Fine has hit the proverbial nail bang on the head with such force that it will not leave a dry eye.

Starring Alan Cumming, as cross-dressing cabaret performer Rudy Donatello, Any Day Now tells a unique story filled with laughter and touching moments that allows viewers to truly regard the emotional mess at the hands of the discriminatory legal system just 30 years ago.

When Rudy and his partner Paul (Garret Dillahunt, Winter’s Bone) decide to fight for the custody of a 14-year-old boy with Down’s Syndrome, they foresee little of the battle they face with a society dead against same sex relationships. It’s a poignant topic today, as with the legalisation of gay marriage, homophobia has become almost as unpopular as being homosexual once was.

Paul is a lawyer, a very straight-cut character, embodying the struggle once-married-men faced when kicking down the closet door.  Juxtaposing Paul, in every way possible, is the flamboyant Rudy who coerces passion out of his, initially unwilling, partner.  Together Rudy and Paul make a formidable team when it comes to their case, if only the nature of their private relationship was inconsequential.

Isaac Leyva plays Marco, the vulnerable young lad who strikes every chord in the hearts of not just the two male protagonists, but also, more importantly, the audience. Unable either to fight for himself or express his true desires, Marco becomes a pawn in games he will never understand. Is he a boy looking for family, or are Paul and Rudy the ones looking to complete their family? 

Cumming has really found his role in this story of sadness and discrimination, enabling viewers to feel and hope just as Rudy does. Paul’s character takes a while to warm up, his own personal battle with coming out often overshadowing his every move. Dillahunt is perfectly refined for this role.

While the tale will not be to everyone’s taste, the emotion Any Day Now will stir guarantees its success. The director has done a fine job indeed.

Jennifer Atkinson

Any Day Now released nationwide on 6^th September 2013.

Watch the trailer for Any Day Now here: