“Spoiler Alert” Review

Jim Parsons (left) and Ben Aldridge star in “Spoiler Alert” as the film’s romantic couple Michael and Kit. The film is based on the best-selling memoir by Michael Ausiello.

Remember when films about a gay couple were rare? I’m so glad that’s a thing of the past. As we all become more tolerant and more accepting of the LGBTQ+ community, it’s great to see increased representation in cinema. As Billy Eichner pointed out in his film “Bros,” gay characters are no longer restricted to depressing Oscar-bait films every couple of years, there’s a lot more variety now. I say this because “Spoiler Alert” was a deeply moving film that I don’t think Hollywood would have released a decade ago which is why I’m glad to be living in this time period. 

Based on the best-selling memoir by Michael Ausiello, the film focuses on the 14 year relationship between Ausiello (Jim Parsons) and Kit Cowan (Ben Aldridge) and its many ups and downs before Kit dies of terminal cancer. While I don’t like to give away the ending, the memoir the film is based on is titled “Spoiler Alert: The Hero Dies,” so I don’t think I’m giving anything away. 

Even though you know what’s going to happen, the film is a roaring example of love and compassion told in a way that entertains and inspires. It’s right in the same vein as films like “Love Story,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Marley and Me” and “Brian’s Song.” Even if you know the ending, you still want to be on this journey for all the joy that it brings. Depressing would be the last word I would use to describe “Spoiler Alert.”

While I, and most of America, fell in love with Jim Parsons’ performance as Dr. Sheldon Cooper in “The Big Bang Theory” and have since enjoyed seeing him in films like “Hidden Figures” and “The Muppets” (I still can’t look at him without hearing the song “Man or Muppet”), I was interested to see what he would do as a leading man. Parsons is unbelievably sweet and awkward in this film with Michael being insecure about himself and his longing to commit to a relationship.

One element of Michael’s character I really loved were the scenes where he imagines his childhood in the style of an 80s sitcom. Not only does it align with his job as a television journalist, but it also gives you a unique insight into his past which affects how he handles things in the present.

On the opposite end of Michael is Kit who is very casual and has never really explored a real relationship. While he doesn’t try to deny his sexuality to himself, he’s still hesitant to let others know, especially his parents Marilyn and Bob (Sally Field and Bill Irwin). They both intimidate and entice each other which is why they’re such a great couple to watch, they both learn and grow.

Alongside Parsons and Aldridge, Sally Field and Bill Irwin star as Kit’s supportive parents who have a strong connection to their son and their eventual son-in-law.

The chemistry between Aldridge and Parsons is always there and, quite frankly, they’ve got to be one of the best couples I’ve seen in a film this year. The approach “Spoiler Alert” takes to showing Michael and Kit’s relationship is to make it feel as real as possible with them having a lot of fun times, growing apart, having couples therapy, coming back together, etc. There were times that I had to remind myself that I was watching a movie because of how real this relationship felt. 

Adding to my investment was how I got to see a gay relationship develop with a changing world. When Michael and Kit first start dating, it’s the early 2000s. Kit is still scared to come out to his parents and Michael is afraid to kiss Kit in public because he doesn’t want to get “gay bashed.” In New York City.  I know that we still live in times where gay people are still marginalized, threatened and even killed but I’d like to think that we’re collectively getting better. Seeing how this couple becomes more open about their relationship over the years was all the more inspiring when you see the progression of all of us as a society.

While “Spoiler Alert” isn’t what I would call an ensemble piece, there are some wonderful supporting characters alongside Michael and Kit. Sally Field and Bill Irwin are unbelievably charming in this film and provide a loving environment for their son and son-in-law over the course of the film. I love their comedic timing, especially during the scene where Kit comes out of the closet to them. It’s the perfect blend of drama and laughs.

While there are some scenes that are heavy in tone, director Michael Showalter knows just when to inject something funny to relieve the audience. Given that Showalter also directed “The Big Sick” back in 2017, he was the best person for the job for his understanding of where drama stops and comedy begins and vice versa. Along with a sharply tact script by David Marshall Grant and Dan Savage (yes, the same Dan Savage that humiliated Senator Rick Santorum after the latter made some anti-LGBTQ+ comments), this is a film that never ceased to entertain me. 

For anyone who might have reservations about seeing the film because of how this journey is going to end, just remember one thing. Life goes on and you don’t stop just because you find yourself in tragic situations. “Spoiler Alert” is a deeply funny and gripping story that you’ll want to see. Does it have its sad moments? Sure. However, the ultimate message of the film is hope and love and I think that’s what everyone who sees this will take away.