Review: Drama ‘The David Dance’ can’t escape its outdated stage roots

The story of “The David Dance” might have seemed more timely and vital when first presented as a play in 2003. Today, however, the delayed film version (it was shot in 2009) feels remarkably dated. It’s also logy, stagey and overlong.

That’s too bad because the narrative contains themes and emotions that could still resonate. A full rework of the source material, a stronger, more engaging lead actor than writer Don Scimé and tighter, sharper direction than what’s provided by Aprill Winney could have produced a far worthier gay-themed indie.

As is, the movie’s time-jumping journey of David (Scimé), a gloomy and self-loathing gay man (he could have wandered out of “The Boys in the Band”) who’s grappling with the death of his beloved sister, Kate (Antoinette LaVecchia), and a push-pull romance with co-worker Chris (the late Guy Adkins), plods through a series of cringey, on-the-nose moments that lead to a mawkish finale.

An excess of jarring flashbacks, including ill-advised bits in which Scimé and LaVecchia play their characters as kids; unconvincing scenes set at the risible low-tech Buffalo radio station where David hosts the program “Gay Talk,” needless cutaways to David’s devoted listeners, a heavy-handed subplot involving a Christian talk-show host (Jordan Baker), and the uber-bland pairing of David and Chris combine to sink this earnest effort.

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“The David Dance.”

MPAA Rating: Not rated.

Running time: 1 hour. 48 minutes.

Playing: Laemmle Music Hall, Beverly Hills.

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