Quick, give me a four letter word for honesty… Writers Casper Andreas and Jessie Archer bring to the screen a funny look into the social world of barhoppers and those who want more than a one night stand.

This film is getting huge buzz through festival screenings. Critics are calling it “light and fluffy” and “in tune” and they are spot on.

First, let me say it was interesting to finally see a gay movie give in to product placement - you won’t be able to miss Manhunt t-shirts and Lucas Entertainment videos throughout the scenes plus a Fleshjack makes a cameo - let me be clear - an innocent cameo.

All of the sex toys and nudity (and there’s plenty of both) are the backdrop for the movie’s big question, “Why are gay men afraid of the four letter word l-o-v-e?” And it’s a good question; my friends and I have discussed this to full length, usually over purple margaritas at Baby A’s. The writers could have stopped there but A Four Letter Word goes further in also posing the question, “Why do gay men replace love with sex?”

The film explores the ideas of gay type-A personalities, addictions and social awareness as answers to both questions without standing on a soap box for too long and avoiding the overuse of funny but bitter one-liners. This movie is smarter than the average gay fare and equally more daring.

I won’t give away the plot(s) or too much about the characters (I hate reviewers that spell out the movie for you) but I will say I did see a lot of truth in what I saw on screen - a good thing? hmmm, still out on that one.

The acting isn’t stellar but thankfully the storyline helps overlook most of the film’s flaws. Charlie David of Dante’s Cove (right) is better here however his looks still outshine his ability. Co-writer and lead player, Jesse Archer (left) will engage you by playfully exposing his character’s vulnerabilities as do the rest of the ensemble.

My favorite of the cast is Archer’s co-worker in the film, Zeke, played by Cory Grant. The yoga-loving sidekick is the cute ‘Jiminy Cricket’ of the bunch.

A Four Letter Word is a smart, sexy and comical 90 minutes of film fun.

Showing at The Dobie Theatre, 7:30pm and 10pm, Not Rated.

UPDATE: A Four Letter Word is now on DVD.