4th Man Out (2015)
Running Time: 1hr 26mins
Adam (Evan Todd) decides it is finally time to come out to his closest friends on his 24th birthday and his three best buddies are basically as bro-y as you can imagine—their lives totally revolve around sports, poker, drinking, girls, etc.
When he finally tells them the truth and comes out, his friends are completely confused and don’t know what to say, what to think, or what to do. In their minds, their friend is a stereotypical straight male. Adam is a car mechanic, has had girlfriends, and even loves sports and poker as much as they do. So how is it possible that one of their best friends is into dudes and yet they had no idea? This is the question they search for an answer to while simultaneously adjusting to the new dating habits of Adam. In a not-so-subtle fashion, the guys are called out for their selfishness by making Adam’s “gayness” all about them. The guys, Chris (Parker Young), Nick (Chord Overstreet), and Ortu (Jon Gabrus) collectively work toward building an even better and stronger friendship than they previously had with Adam.
Surprisingly, 4th Man Out also brought up a perspective we don’t often see or discuss—the emotional toll our own lives can take on other people. Just like in the movie, feelings can be confusing and truths can be unsettling, but it is vastly important to sometimes check your own emotions at the door and be a selfless companion to someone that needs it most. Our lives are so intertwined, whether it’s with family or friends, that, without even realizing it, we can accidentally end up hurting each other. By omitting truths or avoiding topics, we create space between us, and that space can make it feel like we’re worlds apart.
Overall, I enjoyed the movie. It was predictable, silly, and, at times, it was even ridiculous. If you’re just looking for a film for the sole purpose of entertainment and to kill time, Absolutely watch it!
