"Any Day Now"

 “Any Day Now”

2012 * R * 1h 38m  An attorney walks into a drag bar. I know it sounds like the beginning of a joke. In reality, it's the beginning of a very powerful and moving film. It centers around Rudy Donatello (Alan Cumming) who works as a drag queen singing hits in a gay bar. One day Paul Figer (Garret Dillahunt), an attorney who works for the D.A.'s office walks in and has a drink. The handsome man attracts Rudy's attention and the two strike up a conversation. One thing leads to another and the two are soon a couple. This takes place in the 1970s in L.A., a time where this kind of activity was still pretty taboo. 

Rudy lives in a seedy apartment building, next door to a junkie who has a young boy Marco (Isaac Leyva) with Downe's Syndrome. She's a terrible mom as you'd expect, and one night she disappears and leaves  her son unattended. When Rudy discovers the boy, he takes him in and gives him shelter. Eventually he and Paul start raising Marco as their own son. The boy is a sweet kid and is a real character. 

Well, things start to unravel. As they begin to fight for the young boy's custody, Paul's boss gets wind that he's gay. A legal battle ensues, and things get pretty ugly.  I got totally caught up in the story. The acting was excellent, especially Alan Cumming, who I don't believe I've ever seen before. How this film flew under the radar is beyond me. Maybe because of the nature of the story? Or perhaps the lack of stars? Whatever the reason, this is a very touching film. Warning: make sure you have plenty of tissues on hand. I found myself getting teary-eyed just watching the trailer. The movie is even more emotionally draining. 

4 1/2 out of 5 stars. 

Currently streaming for free on Kanopy (with your library card) and Tubi. Also on Crackle, Prime Video and other services.