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Amazon.com An older artist, shunned by the white-hot media of the contemporary world, begins to glow again when he meets a handsome, not-altogether all-American boy. In 1998, two writer-directors brought extraordinary care to this subject, creating films that appeared on several top 10 lists. Gods and Monsters won an Oscar for Bill Condon's screenplay and a nomination for Ian McKellen's acting. Richard Kwietniowski's Love and Death on Long Island was forgotten during the award season. John Hurt has rarely been better as Giles De'Ath, a renowned British author of dry, laborious text. By sheer accident he sees a Porky's-type comedy at the theater: Hot Pants College II. About to leave, he spies on screen his very idea of beauty: a near-talentless American actor named Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley, in another deft, underseen performance). So starts De'Ath's very long trek out of his shell. He is so out of touch that when he purchases a VCR (to see the original Hot Pants College, no less), he doesn't realize he needs a TV set to view the picture. By film's end, he will meet his idol and jump into an abyss. Kwietniowski's debut film has uncommon sensitivity in the realm of fantasy and dream makers. As with Gods and Monsters, its homosexual undercurrent can play comfortably in front of straight viewers looking for crisp writing, fresh perspectives, and great acting. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Reviews (30) 
Hot Pants College 2
a nice and charming story about obsession. John Hurt plays a writer who walks into the wrong movie and finds the handsome Jason Preistley fasinating and he goes and becomes so obsessed with the actor he goes to Long Island to seek out where he lives, he eventually finds out and meets him threw his girlfriend because he told her hes such a big hit in London, so they meet and they become friends. Hurt's passion for Preistley grows(only if it where someone other then a old man loving a guy, ehhh) and then people are rejected. good filmmaking with superb performances all around. Maury Chaykin and his fellow restaurant staff are hilarious, especially the highlighted scene where they all talk about dog names. a wonderful film
Just your usual 'man wants boy who lives with girl' story
One really wants to like this unusual little film. The premise is intriguing and full of possibilities, and it is deftly cast. It hedges its bets, though, and is not ultimately very satisfying, though it starts out promisingly. Giles De'Ath (John Hurt), a reclusive and arrid academician, is locked out of his London home. Ducking into a cineplex, he finds himself in the wrong theater watching 'Hot Pants College II'. He is arrested by the sight of a young actor on screen, Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley). Having been accosted by some jocks, Ronnie is lying on a table in a picture of homoerotic martyrdom. The actor's beauty captivates Giles (quite justifiably so), and his life takes on new purpose. He fantasizes about him and even takes to smoking cigarettes that happen to sport the same name as the Long Island village in which Ronnie lives. In a moment of uncharacteristic spontaneity, Giles goes there to seek out the object of his fantasy. He runs into Ronnie's live-in girlfriend at a supermarket -- literally, with a shopping cart -- in a strangely awkward and unfunny scene. The nicest moment of the film comes soon after, though, as Giles sees Ronnie walking his dog on the beach. The two finally meet and, as their hands clasp, fantasy becomes reality. For a moment. Reality cannot measure up and it is downhill for the viewer, the characters, and the film. Ronnie is simply flattered that the writer has taken such an avid interest in his career and wants to write a script for him. Jason Priestley is appropriately beautiful and seductively photographed from a distance but, written shallowly, he loses his appeal as we get closer. The suspicious and unpleasant girlfriend manipulates the couple into moving to L.A. and Giles, in a desperate (and shamelessly embarassing) move, tries unsuccessfully to get Ronnie to dump her and come to England with him. So Giles returns alone, feeling that the actor will somehow remember this moment forever -- another fantasy. The sole result of their meeting seems to be a new scene for Ronnie in 'Hot Pants College III', and a new self-indulgence for Giles. 'Love and Death' is billed as a comedy, but it isn't funny. It could have been a touching tragedy, but it falls short. Taking after 'Death in Venice' in premise only, the film is as different from that literary masterpiece as Venice is from Long Island.
finally re-released
This really is a great film. Fans of films like XXX steer clear.
It is dark and very thought provoking, and watching Hurts obsession with the young actor grow is fantastic. Who'd have thought that jason priestly would appear in a good film!!
Very good
I am surprised that this film has not been better received by the reviewers below, as it is well-made, thought-provoking, atmospheric, and even poignant. It tells the tale of a stodgy old British author (expertly played by William Hurt) who, by accidentally wandering into the wrong movie theater, conceives an odd appreciation for Ronnie Bostock (Jason Priestley), a B-movie star of teen flicks. This rare ability to find raphaelite beauty in low pop culture troubles the author for weeks, until his obsession over Ronnie gets the best of him and he travels to Long Island to try and meet his idol. The film does an excellent job of portraying Long Island in the winter as an eerie, vacant place. When the author at last talks his way into Ronnie's home, the ensuing machinations and emotions are played so perfectly that I watched the film twice in a row to see them again, and the plot kept me interested throughout. (The tone of the climax in the diner is just great. Jason Priestley does a fine job here.) We are left with the sense that impossible longing is both heartbreaking and inevitable within us; human truth onscreen.
Shockingly Bad
I can't believe all the praise this train-wreck of a movie has gotten. Has anyone SEEN this movie? It's unwatchable and embarrassing for everyone involved.
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