SPOTLIGHT SELECTION

When you think about your best friend—or your best Judy—do you assume that they are a friend to the end? Did it ever cross your mind that your closest friend might want a change that you aren’t ready for? In Todd Flaherty’s poignant, biting comedy Chrissy Judy, one young man is confronted with growing up and finding his own path when his best friend seemingly leaves him behind.

Chrissy and Judy have been friends for years, and their bond is strengthened by their scrappy drag act. While they struggle to book consistent gigs, Judy is optimistic of the summer ahead while Chrissy seems to toss on a wig and lipstick as an entertaining hobby. Chrissy thinks that his life will become more serious and complete if he takes the next steps in his relationship with his boyfriend, Shawn. Chrissy has the rug pulled out from under him as two very quickly becomes one.

Since Judy has no real warning of his best friend’s true feelings, he has no plans and no way to prepare for being set adrift in his own gay single life. We talk all the time about the importance of found family and queer siblings, but Chrissy Judy is singular in its exploration of gay male loneliness and losing the one person you didn’t need to explain yourself to.

Flaherty is a quadruple threat. Not only did he star and direct, but he wrote the script and edited the film. Judy soon discovers the power of loving his own independence and seeing Flaherty overcome his tentativeness (mess and all) is satisfying and comforting. Chrissy wants to live a life that we all seem to want, but maybe he realizes that he can’t follow an instruction manual to find happiness—it’s not that simple.

Chrissy Judy is a dark comedy filled to the brim with wit, snark, and reluctant heartbreak. It values the lessons of picking yourself to make yourself stronger—even when you didn’t know you could.

~ Joey Moser

Official Selection: Outfest LA LGBTQ Film Festival

Official Selection: Provincetown International Film Festival