Reeling 2010: Handsome Harry

There is no doubt that Harry Sweeney is handsome. He’s a man’s man: rugged, aloof, good with his hands, and popular with the ladies. A small town electrician, Harry (played by The Ice Storm’s Jamey Sheridan) has been divorced for over a decade and tends to keep to himself. When Tommy, an old Navy buddy, calls from his deathbed, Harry reluctantly pays him a visit. As death approaches, it is only natural to start thinking of the past, and Tommy (Steve Buscemi) can’t quite forgive himself for a heinous crime they committed years ago. His final wish is for Harry to piece together the truth of that night and seek the forgiveness of David Kagan, the shipmate they betrayed. Each of the men involved in the crime have dealt with their guilt—or lack thereof—in different ways, be it through Jesus, reinvention, or booze. As Harry travels around to confront each of his former shipmates (one of which is played by Aidan Quinn), long-buried, poignant memories and his own pain and guilt start to resurface. When he finally ends up face-to-face with Kagan (played with the utmost refinement by Dying Young’s Campbell Scott), Harry finds that redemption eludes him regardless of whether forgiveness is offered. —Angelique Smith for Reeling Handsome Harry Bette Gordon (USA, 2009, 95 min.) Reeling: The Chicago Lesbian & Gay International Film Festival, the second oldest film festival of its kind in the US, is presenting 54 programs over 10 days from November 4-13, 2010. Advance sales are available until the day before the show. After that, tickets must be purchased at the theater box office on the day of the screening. Regular Screenings: $10 ($8 members), Matinee Screenings (before 5:00 pm): $8 ($6 members).

Event website Tickets