Despite a great deal of male-to-male affection (bare-chested hugging, kissing, and cuddling), "Were the World Mine" is overloaded with bigots. What's worse is, they win out! This 'fantasy' for open-minded audiences doesn't really have a happy ending at all...in fact, this is the least progressive gay-themed film in a good while. Handsome prep school lad, about to perform in Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" along with his classmates, is aided by his music teacher in coming up with an elixir which can turn heterosexuals gay. This naturally leads to confusion and anger when the newfound gays and lesbians (acting like horny pod people) descent upon the straights, begging for their returned affections. An ambitious, colorful production sense (with beautifully scored musical interludes) captivates the attention for a spell; however, the third act (switching the gays back to their hateful hetero selves) doesn't exactly inspire the quirky sweetness director and co-screenwriter Tom Gustafson was probably aiming for. *1/2 from ****

This is a film for the young at heart be you gay or straight or just curious. And did you see that Peter Ustinov 1948 film "Visa Versa"? If you like modern day fairy tales, musicals and films set in boys boarding schools then enter Shakespeare's Dream for a boy who is different.After watching it you too may also wonder if this is exactly the sort of film that could be useful to schools since it reverses the idea of what is "normal" when it comes to sexuality.I particularly enjoyed the way the story unfolds. Very clever. Now you see me now you don't. Like magic!"All the world's a stage" says the fabulous Wendy Robie between watering her naughty weedy seedlings(no cctv) and standing up to the schools silly head. She's great! If there were more Ms Tebbit's around the world would be a far more enchanting and tolerant place to live. And at the end of the film when she says "Well now that you've had your fun" our dear lovely Puck finds his spell's true implication. We are left after the curtain goes down resounding like tuning forks! So please watch this film if you haven't already done so and if you have maybe watch it again ... I'm going to.

I was lucky enough to see this film at the official youth screening at the Vancouver Queer Film Fest. Liked it so much I walked in and stood for the second, sold out, screening that followed. Beautiful scenes, good acting, great concept / plot, absolutely rapturous music... this movie made my heart melt, made me fall in love with the two main characters. This is what movies are supposed to do, and Were the World Mine did this beautifully.This film realizes many a gay boy's high school fantasy, and does it with style and grace. It's poignant, moving. The actors who play Timothy's two best friends nail it. The drama teacher is a woman to be reckoned with. And the two male leads are both gay in real life. I will be buying this one as soon as it comes out. In the meantime I will be listening to music from the film on their MySpace page.

Though it may be labeled as a gay/lesbian film, this is a witty and lovely takeoff on "A Midsummer's Night Dream." The acting by all the principals, particularly by appealing lead Tanner Cohen, Judy McKane as his mother, and Wendy Robie as the school drama teacher, is first-rate. The art direction, music and especially the cinematography help create a magical quality as the story enters the realm of Midsummer fantasy. Director Thomas Gustafson skilfully develops believable characters, manages complicated plot twists, and never loses the thread of "what if" that is essential to a retelling of Shakespeare's timeless story. Like the characters, you'll be enchanted by this small-budget but high-quality film.