Were the World Mine poster & wallpaper
Get movie widget Recommend it Add to Favorites

Tanner Cohen, Wendy Robie, Judy McLane, Zelda Williams, Jill Larson ... see more see more... , Ricky Goldman , Nathaniel David Becker , Christian Stolte , David Darlow , Parker Croft , Brad Bukauskas , Reid Dawson , Alexander Aguilar , Yoni Solomon , Colleen Skemp , Waymon Arnette , Zach Gray , Julia Black , Peggy Roeder , Ora Jones , Annabel Armour , Nathanial David Becker

Love is in the air thanks to a magic potion whipped up by an imaginative student in this playful independent comedy with music. Timothy (Tanner Cohen) is a bright young man who is attending an upscale... read more read more... private high school, Morgan Hill, thanks to the hard work and sacrifice of his mother (Judy McLane). Timothy is also gay and doesn't care who knows it, which doesn't make him popular with his classmates; his closest friends, a girl nicknamed Frankie (Zelda Williams) and her boyfriend, Max (Ricky Goldman), attend another school. Timothy has a serious crush on Jonathon (Nathaniel David Becker), but Jonathon isn't interested in boys, to Timothy's chagrin. Timothy is cast as Puck in the school's spring musical, a musical adaptation of William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, and inspired by his character's machinations, Timothy tries to recreate the love potion used in the play. Miraculously, Timothy arrives at a formula that actually works, and after accidentally dousing Max and having to fend off his advances, Timothy sprays Jonathan with the concoction and soon has the boy of his dreams. However, before long Timothy's magic potion gets loose, and things get very lively on campus, among both the students and the teachers. Were the World Mine was the first feature film from director Tom Gustafson, and won the Audience Award at the 2008 Torino International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Flixster Users

72% liked it

2,557 ratings

Critics

68% liked it

25 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 35 min.

Directed by: Thomas Gustafson, Tom Gustafson

Release Date: December 12, 2008

Invite friends to see

DVD Release Date: June 9, 2009

Get It:
 

Stats: 308 reviews

report incorrect info

Photos

Were the World Mine i was in london Tanner Cohen
Upload a Photo | View All Were the World Mine Photos

Your Rating


clear rating

Flixster Reviews (308)

  • Tomassgringo
    February 17, 2011
    Tomassgringo
    A production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream" wakes a town from their prejudices! Tanner Cohen performs outstandingly! Too bad there is too much "art" for the closed-minded conservatives that would learn and benefit from this movie most! lol Fun movie!
  • hobster1
    September 1, 2009
    hobster1
    Whimsical musical about a student who, inspired by Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, whips up a magical potion from a flower that causes people to fall in love as he does. Although it occasionally wanders into camp territory, film remains a memorable variation on th... read moree bard's classic. Earnest indie preaching acceptance, is underscored by a charismatic cast and lush musical numbers, beautifully sung. Together they highlight this original and frequently winning film.
  • jjnxn
    June 27, 2009
    jjnxn
    Different to say the least, musical modern updating of A Midsummer Night's Dream with a gay twist, is enjoyable in parts but tries too hard for whimsy instead of being naturally whimsical.
  • kenstachnik
    October 28, 2008
    kenstachnik
    A juvenile fantasy of mediocrity.

    William S would be ashamed

    However I did get to meet Wendy Robie from Twin Peaks at the premiere, so that was pretty cool.
  • danieljparsons
    December 6, 2009
    danieljparsons
    "Shakespeare was queer, too!"

    An early episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer, called "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered", had Xander perform a love potion, which backfiring - at first with welcome results - had seemingly the entire female population of Sunnydale s

    ... read moreuddenly in love with him. Typically for such a strongly written tv series, even this largely "throwaway" episode was wittily written, had some great ideas, and the after effects (especially Xander's relationship with a now betrayed Willow) were not ignored. Were the World Mine takes the central idea of a love potion, here magically found hidden within the text of Shakespeare's comedy A Midsummer Night's Dream, and spins it by having the formula attract people of the same sex. Obviously filmed on a low budget, I can only imagine how fantastic this would have been with just one more rewrite and a few million dollars chucked at it. Nevertheless, this is largely a huge success, is massively enjoyable and plays very well with Shakespeare's words - mixing styles together in clever ways. It works well as a musical - with imaginatively staged and choreographed routines - as a charming romance, as a comedy drama, and as a big two fingers up towards outmoded and outdated homophobic institutions, such as religious organisations and boarding schools (you can send your hate mail to bitemyass@gmail.com). It's also beautifully photographed. Best of all is the above average acting from all involved, which really took my surprise. Tanner Cohen as lead Timothy not only has the angst and hormones down pat, but also has a great singing voice (reminiscent of Jay Brannan). But special mention should go to the three leading women - Wendy Robie as the drama teacher, Judy McLane as Timothy's mother and Zelda Williams as Timothy's best friend, Frankie, who are all excellent. I urge you to watch this with some of your gay fearing friends and make them squirm. Now, where can I get one of them flowers?!
  • fb100000185301014
    May 25, 2012
    fb100000185301014
    First of all, this is a really clever film, why wouldn't someone try to make a love potion? This is one of the sweetest independent film I've seen, the numbers were really good, sung by talented cast. Secondly, the acting by Wendy Robie saved the entire film, without her this wou... read moreld be another cheap looking film, but she really proved her acting ability. The gay guys couldn't act straight, that's I am saying. I am sure we've all learnt something today. Clap your hands if we'd be friends.
  • SunilJawahir
    September 25, 2009
    SunilJawahir
    Kinda reminded me of a gayer version of A Dirty Shame but a little smarter and more enjoyable.
  • divinetrash
    September 2, 2009
    divinetrash
    The lead guy (I forgot to check his name) is an excellent protagonist, very talented actor, and it's also fantastic to see Wendy Robie (without her eye-patch), the songs are good and its a very creative movie; I just hate how they have to make it look like the guy and his mother ... read moremoved to the only town where no one has ever seen a gay guy because, of course, being a movie with a gay theme they have to treat like it was some Very Special Episode where everyone reacts to the news dramatically and then comes to terms with it by the end. I really hate that.
  • officiallyme
    July 20, 2011
    officiallyme
    brilliant! the music is dreamy and brite while the plot is fun and unique! it avoided a lot of pesky stereotypes and they picked believeable characters! oh yeah and i'm in love with the fact that the song's lyrics are from shakespeare's "a midsummer night's dream"! just plain cle... read morever, i tell you! (and beautiful) i can't stop listening to the music now, i've fallen in love!
  • NoxInvictus
    November 28, 2009
    NoxInvictus
    I thought the synopsis sounded pretty interesting but man, so many parts in the movie was just...overkill!! I get that its a gay musical but that doesnt mean you HAFTO go overboard.

View All Were the World Mine Reviews

Critic Reviews

Colin Covert
February 12, 2009
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

This high school reworking of A Midsummer Night's Dream never really takes flight, but neither is it the preening misfire the first half promises. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
December 12, 2008
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

Were the World Mine is seriously uneven. If it displays considerable imagination and creativity, it also lapses too often into smug, campy silliness. Full Review

Mike Mayo
December 12, 2008
Mike Mayo, Washington Post

Editorial Review Writer-producer-director Tom Gustafson's musical fantasy Were the World Mine, based on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, is mostly delightful. Full Review

Michael Phillips
December 12, 2008
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune

A diverting Chicago-made export, director and co-writer Tom Gustafson's gay fantasia on Shakespearean themes is set in a socially stratified private school ruled by the rugby jocks but about to be sen... Full Review

Ty Burr
December 5, 2008
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

There are times when it is safe to say that a labor of love is love's labor lost, and, reader, this is one of them. Full Review

Reyhan Harmanci
November 21, 2008
Reyhan Harmanci, San Francisco Chronicle

Were the World Mine follows the teen musical formula but renders its material with admirable lushness and intelligence. Full Review

Lou Lumenick
November 21, 2008
Lou Lumenick, New York Post

An ambitious gay musical fantasy inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream, Tom Gustafson's Were the World Mine is far better in concept than execution. The shoestring budget hurts. Full Review

Stephen Holden
November 21, 2008
Stephen Holden, New York Times

Were the World Mine, an indie alternative to Disney's High School Musical franchise, is a small, endearing film.

Stephen Farber
July 31, 2008
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter

This picture dares to summon the spirit of the Bard as well as the ghost of Arthur Freed and succeeds as a rousing, warm-hearted spectacle.

Jay Weissberg
June 10, 2008
Jay Weissberg, Variety

The clunky script keeps pulling everything to an earthbound level well below the desired airy realm. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Cast

More Like This

Click a thumb to vote on that suggestion, or add your own suggestions.

  • Romeo + Juliet
    Romeo + Juliet (100%)
  • A Midsummer Night's Dream
    A Midsummer Night's Dream (100%)
  • Leave it on the Floor
    Leave it on the Floor (100%)
  • Les Chansons d'Amour (Love Songs)
    Les Chansons d'Amour (Love Songs) (100%)

More Movies like Were the World Mine

Facts

No facts approved yet. Be the first

Were the World Mi... : Watch Free on TV

Movie Quizzes

No quizzes for Were the World Mine. Want to create one?

Video Clips

Upload a Video |

All Were the World Mine Videos

Meet Other Fans

Add Were the World Mine to favorites

Recent News

No recent headlines. Got one?

Recent Lists

Make a List |

View All Lists

Most Popular Skin

No skins yet. Interested in creating one?