Were The World Mine Film Review

If there’s one thing I like equally to a good book, it’s sitting back and watching a great film with snacks. One of my favourite films and also musicals has to be Were The World Mine from TLA Releasing. I think this film is one of the best LGBTQ+ musicals and I will quite frankly die on that hill!

I thought I’d do a Were The World Mine Review but I think it’s just epic and although I mainly write book reviews, some films deserve their own recognition and this is one of them, any gay person in their right mind should watch this movie and tell me what they think!

There are spoilers in this Were The World Mine Film Review. They will be in italics so if you don’t want to read them, skip past it.

Were The World Mine Synopsis

This light-hearted comedy, directed by Tom Gustafson and based on his award-winning short film Fairies, stars Tanner Cohen as Timothy, an unpopular gay teen cast in his school’s musical adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. While rehearsing, Timothy successfully recreates the play’s magical love potion, causing chaos across campus. Amid the madness, Timothy sets his sights on winning over the boy of his dreams.

Overall Rating – 4.6/5

If you’re trying to figure out why I’ve rated Were The World Mine take a look below.

Were The World Mine Plot – 4.8

I love the plot, it follows one gay and one “straight”. However as time goes on, with a little magic thrown in it comes to light that you should never judge a book by it’s cover. It’s a low budget film that’s for sure but at the same time it flows with ease, you won’t get bored and unlike other films, it doesn’t have a crappy ending.

Were The World Mine Music – 4.5

Musicals can be hit and miss, take a look at the new Mean Girls musical after all. The music isn’t that bad, there are some songs that are hit-and-miss although that totally depends on what your musical tastes are.

All Things Shall Be Peace and Sleep Sound are my two favourite songs from the film, I’d love to know what yours are. The singing also isn’t that bad and the use of autotune isn’t a huge factor in the film.

Were The World Mine Acting – 4.5

Obviously it’s a low budget film so you’d expect the acting to be meh. However, the acting is pretty decent compared to other low budget films that I’ve watched. The lead roles are filled with excellent actors and I will also say the amount of times the cast gets topless, you know it was made for the gays!

Were The World Mine Questions

Have some questions about Were The World Mine? Take a look at the Were The World Mine questions below in my Were The World Mine film review.

Were The World Mine Main Actors

The main actors in Were the World Mine (2008) are:

1. Tanner Cohen as Timothy – The protagonist, a gay high school student who discovers a magical love potion.
2. Nathaniel David Becker as Jonathan – Timothy’s crush and the star athlete of the school.
3. Wendy Robie as Ms. Tebbit – Timothy’s eccentric and supportive drama teacher who helps him discover the magic in A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
4. Judy McLane as Donna – Timothy’s mother, who struggles to accept her son’s identity but grows throughout the film.
5. Zelda Williams as Frankie – Timothy’s best friend, who provides support as he navigates his challenges.

These actors bring to life the whimsical and emotional world of this LGBTQ+ fantasy musical.

Were The World Mine Theme

The primary theme of Were the World Mine revolves around self-acceptance, love, and the power of transformation. The film explores the struggles of being different, particularly in terms of sexual identity, and how fantasy can provide a means of empowerment and change. Timothy, the protagonist, uses a magical love potion to challenge societal norms and force others to experience same-sex attraction, giving them a taste of his reality.

Key sub-themes include:

• LGBTQ+ Identity: The film addresses the challenges of growing up as a gay teenager in a conservative environment and the desire for acceptance.
• Love and Desire: Through the magical love potion, the film highlights how love cannot be forced or manipulated, underscoring the importance of genuine connection and mutual affection.
• Acceptance and Empathy: It encourages viewers to understand and embrace differences, whether in sexual orientation or personal identity.
• Fantasy as Escapism: The Shakespearean elements and dreamlike sequences offer a form of escape from the harsh realities of Timothy’s life while ultimately leading to personal growth and empowerment.

In the end, the film promotes the message that true love and acceptance must come from within, and transformation happens when people are open to understanding others’ experiences.

Were The World Mine Summary

Were the World Mine is a 2008 LGBTQ+ musical fantasy film directed by Tom Gustafson, inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The story follows Timothy, a gay high school student who struggles with bullying and unrequited love for his classmate, Jonathan. Timothy feels like an outcast in his small, conservative town and finds solace in his daydreams and imagination.

During rehearsals for the school’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Timothy stumbles upon a hidden magical formula in the play’s text. Using the formula, he creates a love potion, much like the one used in the original Shakespearean play, which has the power to make anyone fall in love with the first person they see. Timothy decides to use the potion to turn the tables on the people in his life, causing those around him—especially Jonathan and his bullies—to experience same-sex attraction.

As chaos ensues in the town, with people falling in love unexpectedly, Timothy comes to realise the consequences of manipulating others’ emotions. The film ultimately explores themes of acceptance, self-discovery, and the power of love. Timothy learns that true love cannot be forced and that everyone must be free to love whom they choose. In the end, the spell is reversed, and Timothy gains a sense of self-empowerment, as well as hope for mutual affection from Jonathan.