Libramedi Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Lumsdal Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

ClassyWas Excellent, smart action film.

Aubrey Hackett While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

lusciousmuffins This film is an excellent example of great storytelling. It's a simple film that relies on subtly to tell a deeply human tale, instead of gratuitous sex, massive explosions or over the top violence. In short, if you enjoy films that explore real life, then this film is for you. Pit Stop succeeds in delivering a very authentic depiction of a part of American life that doesn't get a lot of unbiased coverage. Another aspect of this film which is refreshing when compared with other LGBT films is that it has what I would consider to be an overall positive message. That does not mean it is devoid of angst and conflict; however, this film does a better than average job of balancing the very real challenges many gay men face with a thread of hope and an emphasis on personal fulfillment.Speaking as a straight woman, I also found this film to be one which has value that extends beyond the LGBT community. Put another way, it really is a film for everyone. It does not depict gay people as living in a bubble, nor does it use straight people as mere props. The straight characters have depth and are portrayed sympathetically, which are things I find many LGBT themed films lack. I highly recommend Pit Stop to anyone who enjoys movies about everyday people and think it would be an especially worthwhile movie to watch for anyone with a gay family member or friend.

rabbitfish63 I was kind of generous giving this movie 6 out of 10, but I at least admire it for never having a false moment. The actors and the director made everything believable, but it was such a set of dreary characters in undramatic scenes, that the movie was actually painful to watch. I think I mostly blame the script which failed to find a way to really make us care.The ending seemed to be about some kind of redemption and finding love, but all it really was was a successful hookup. "Hey, call me," says Gabe. "Anytime," and they head off smiling, in the hope of another session of manly frottage. But given all the heartbreak and disappointment, there is nothing here that points to a great future.Compare this to the date episode in the first season of the TV show, "Looking." Nothing but two guys almost just about to fall in love, spending the day together talking about their lives, their fears, their histories, sex. And it was totally engaging because there was a tentative fragility and joy to the whole thing. "Pit Stop" (why is it called this?) never found such lightness.

hoovertac ***This review may contain spoilers***Had it not been for Heck and DeAnda's acting in the first few minutes of this film, I would have dismissed it as another poignant movie that associates same sex relationships with failure, death, grief & loss, loneliness etc. And I'm glad I didn't. To do this would have been very unfair and disrespectful to the writers, director and actors who all crafted something else that is very humanizing. The characters and events in this film are very relatable and not contrived. The subject matter is treated honestly and respectfully. Themes of gay life are portrayed in a thoughtful and mature way that evoke compassion instead of shame. The movie also took time to focus on the lives around the central characters as well, which was refreshing. Plus, our collective intelligence isn't insulted by a Hollywood ending either.

Turfseer Recent Spirit Award nominees have cropped up in the past few years including 'Keep the Lights On' and 'In the Family', sensitively-made films on a gay theme. Now in 2014, we have 'Pit Stop', which is also as good as these fine predecessors. 'Pit Stop' focuses on two blue collar workers from Texas, Gabe and Ernesto (played by an excellent Bill Heck and Marcus DeAnda, respectively). We see each of their stories for most of the film separately, and note that both are getting over failed relationships.In the case of Ernesto, his ex-boyfriend, Luis, is still living with him. He initially tells Luis he can take as much time as he wants to move out but changes his mind when the ex-boyfriend starts dating other men and keeps him up, while watching late night TV. Ernesto also visits another ex-boyfriend, who's in a coma, after being critically hurt in a car accident.Gabe's situation is different. He's still living with his wife and young daughter but no longer sleeps with her. He recently broke up with a man and now is dating again. In a notable scene, Gabe goes out on a date with a teacher—who falls asleep on their date watching a foreign film in a movie theater. Gabe drives the date home, who apologizes for not wanting to see him again, as he makes it clear that he hasn't gotten over his last relationship.There's also a sub-plot involving Gabe's wife, Shannon, who goes out with a co-worker, Winston, on a date. Shannon, desperate for physical companionship, gets drunk and puts the moves on Winston, who isn't ready to get physical on a first date. Sure it's possible that Gabe's sexual rejection of his wife would lead her to want to have sexual contact with a man she's probably not that attracted to (Gabe tells Winston at one point that Shannon isn't attracted to heavy set men). But usually, the roles are reversed: women are wary of having sex on a first date, especially when it involves a man they don't find that attractive.While the pacing of the film is fairly slow, the interactions between the characters ring true. Another excellent scene is when Luis has left and calls Ernesto on the phone, from New Mexico. Luis feels he's lost but Ernesto tries to convince him that he'll eventually get it together, if he just applies himself (like going back to school). At the same time, Ernesto makes it clear that he doesn't want Luis to return.We see the connection between Gabe and Ernesto at film's end, as they meet through online dating. They're basically instantly attracted to one another as they recognize that they have both been trying to fill a similar void, in their lives. 'Pit Stop' is a low key drama which, as I pointed out above, proceeds rather lugubriously. Nonetheless, for the patient film-goer, you will be rewarded by excellent acting, direction and characters that seem to jump off the page, of real life.