THE MOVIE
Baggage Claim is a romantic comedy starring every super attractive black actor in their mid-30s to mid-40s except Gabrielle Union and Morris Chestnut. Its protagonist is Montana Moore (Paula Patton), a flight attendant who decides to revisit her past boyfriends in hopes of finding a date for her sister’s wedding.
We really should call our agents.
THE GAY BEST FRIEND
The O.C. star Adam Brody plays Sam, the film’s only major white character. Sam works with Montana and the sassy Gail (Jill Scott). The trio are best friends.
IS SAM INTEGRAL TO THE PLOT?
Yes. Sam comes up with the harebrained idea that sets the film in motion. He organizes a team of airport valets, ticket agents, and security guards on Montana’s behalf as she crosses the country for love.
DOES SAM HAVE CHARACTER TRAITS BEYOND HOMOSEXUALITY?
Not really. Unless you count an affinity for snappy bow ties as a non-gay character trait.
DOES SAM GET A MAN?
No. Sam exchanges one or two promising glances with male passengers, but that’s it.
THOUGHTS
Ten years after the debut of The O.C., Adam Brody remains the zenith of nerdy hot. If the thought of him in a series of adorable bow ties is enough to make you reach for an asthma inhaler, you’re better off staying away from Baggage Claim.
Black ensemble romantic comedies like Baggage Claim rarely include LGBT characters, so it’s nice that writer/director David E. Talbert snuck one in. The script is full of broadly drawn archetypes and Sam is no exception. The character isn’t offensive. He’s just underwritten. Nevertheless, Brody plays him with charm and dignity.
Ah, memories.
What did you think of Adam Brody’s Sam? Use the comments section below.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Gay Best Friend is an ongoing dialogue about the representation of LGBT people in movies. It is a regular feature of Parting Glance, Cinephiled’s LGBT film column.
For information on the inspiration behind The Gay Best Friend, please click here.