"Any Day Now" follows a gay couple, Rudy (Alan Cumming) and Paul (Garret Dillahunt) who in a matter of days fall in love and take in a teenager with Down's syndrome named Marco after Marco's neglectful mother is arrested. Despite Rudy's objections, the couple must live closeted in order to maintain temporary custody of Marco. The truth about Rudy and Paul's relationship threatens the happiness they find parenting Marco, who flourishes in their care. The film follows the legal and personal struggles the gay couple have in the 1970's trying to gain legal custody in this based on a true story.
I really fell for this film, perhaps as quickly as Rudy and Paul fell for each other in the film. I felt though this is not the lightest of stories, it is an important one and is well told in this character-driven drama. The characters and their relationships are well-developed and I especially liked seeing Dillahunt's character Paul really grow from a closeted and timid lawyer to a passionate father and partner to the head-strong and passionate Rudy. One of the best aspects though is that there are moments when the antagonists such as the judges and other opposing forces show sympathy towards Rudy and Paul though the reality is that in California in the 1970's the legal system simply wasn't going to bend for a gay couple in a custody situation. I think this gave an element of humanity to the minor players, who were easy to portray as one-dimensional "bad guys." Look out for the scenes where Rudy sings - I think the staging is especially poignant and effective at conveying emotion.
Overall I think this is a well-done and effective small film that had the benefit of a well-written script and strong acting by Cumming and Dillahunt. Give this one a rental - A-
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