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Trick (1999 film)
Trick (1999 film)
Trick (1999 film)
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Trick
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJim Fall
Written byJason Schafer
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyTerry Stacey
Edited byBrian A. Kates
Music byDavid Friedman
Production
companies
Distributed byFine Line Features
Release dates
  • January 27, 1999 (1999-01-27) (Sundance)
  • July 23, 1999 (1999-07-23) (United States)
Running time
89 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$450,000[2]
Box office$2 million[3]

Trick is a 1999 American gay-themed romantic comedy film directed by Jim Fall and starring Christian Campbell, John Paul Pitoc, Miss Coco Peru, and Tori Spelling.[4][5] Independently produced by Eric d'Arbeloff, Ross Katz, and Fall, the film was written by Jason Schafer.[4][5] It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1999[5] and was later released theatrically by Fine Line Features that July. The film grossed $2 million at the United States box office, which was seen by Fine Line Features as "credible business".[6][7]

Since its release, the film has been considered a gay cult classic.[8][9][10] It was later adapted as a stage musical, titled Trick! The Musical, in 2025, with book and lyrics by Schafer and music by Arthur LaFrentz Bacon.[8]

Plot

[edit]

Gabriel, an office temp by day and aspiring Broadway composer by night, makes eye contact with Mark, a go-go dancer at a gay bar. The two meet again in the subway the same night, and go back to Gabriel's place to have sex. They are thwarted in the attempt first by Gabriel's aspiring actress friend Katherine, who is obsessed with her role in an adaptation of Salomé set in a women's prison, and then by Gabriel's roommate Rich, who returns home with his girlfriend Judy and has similar (and conflicting) plans for the apartment.

Gabriel and Rich argue over which of them should get to use the apartment that night, and decide to settle the matter with a coin toss. When Gabriel loses the coin toss and he and Mark have to leave, Gabriel seeks out his friend Perry to request the use of Perry's place. Unfortunately, as Perry escorts Gabriel and Mark there, they run into Perry's ex-boyfriend. Perry and his ex tearfully reconcile and they go back to Perry's, frustrating Gabriel and Mark yet again. The two then decide to hit a gay club for some dancing. There, a malicious drag queen, Miss Coco, corners Gabriel in the restroom. She badmouths Mark to Gabriel, telling him of the time they tricked – which sounds very much like how Gabriel and Mark met – and how Mark left abruptly after climaxing, leaving her with a fake phone number to boot. Crushed by this news, Gabriel decides to take off.

Mark follows Gabriel back to his and Rich's apartment to talk – and also because he has left his house keys there. They go in to look for the keys and try to talk things out while Judy mediates, topless. Mark asserts that while he did indeed trick once with Miss Coco, it was actually the latter who tried to take advantage of him by secretly videotaping their encounter without Mark's consent. Gabriel accepts this story, but still does not trust Mark, so Mark leaves angrily. Judy then finds Mark's keys, and Gabriel chases after Mark with them down into the subway. Just when it seems that Mark is gone forever, he reappears; he and Gabriel made a connection after all.

Having reconciled, they decide to get something to eat but run into Katherine and some of her theatre friends at a diner, where Katherine proceeds to monopolize the conversation. Gabriel finally blows up at her, and Katherine, humiliated, melts down and leaves in a huff. Gabriel chases after her and apologizes; they smooth things over and Katherine and her friends depart. As the new morning dawns, Mark gives Gabriel his phone number, they kiss, and Mark heads home. Gabriel calls the number on a nearby payphone, and is relieved to learn that it's Mark's actual number. While they never found a spot to trick, Mark and Gabriel instead formed a budding relationship beyond the simple one-night stand they had first been trying for.

Cast

[edit]

Development

[edit]

After college at UCLA, Schafer moved to New York City and attended the Broadcast Musical Inc. writer's workshop, where he got the idea to write Trick.[11] Having written several musicals during college, Schafer initially wrote Trick as a musical called Gay Boy.[11] He showed the work to his friend, actor Anthony Rapp, who suggested that he write it as a movie, instead.[11] An actor involved with the script reading contacted Jim Fall, who eventually directed the film.[11]

Production

[edit]

Independently produced, Trick was picked up for North American distribution by Fine Line Features soon after being screened at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1999.[4] The "mid-six figure" deal guaranteed a theatrical release in at least three cities.[4]

Filming was completed in less than three weeks in August 1998.[citation needed]

Critical reception

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 77% of 22 critics' reviews are positive. The website's consensus reads: "By portraying its love story as nothing less than conventional, Trick avoids genre tropes to create a simple, effective romance."[12]

Roger Ebert wrote, "The movie imposes a Doris Day story line on material that wants to be more sexual; it's about a character whose quasi-virginity is preserved through an improbable series of mishaps and coincidences."[13] Janet Maslin of The New York Times commented, "Trick is a tenderhearted boy-meets-boy story that manages to incorporate the courtship-interruptus style of the Doris Day era into a Greenwich Village one-night stand."[13]

In the years since its release, the film has been considered a gay cult classic.[8][9][10]

Soundtrack

[edit]
  1. "Dream Weaver" (Gary Wright) – Erin Hamilton
  2. "Unspeakable Joy" (Kim English; Maurice Joshua) – Kim English
  3. "Brand New Lover" (Alfred Hochstrasser; J. Parzen; Michael Momm) – Bibiche
  4. "I Am Woman (Razor N' Guido Mix)" (Helen Reddy; Ray Burton) – Jessica Williams
  5. "Someone to Hold" (Harvey L. Frierson, Jr.; Veronica) – Veronica
  6. "Drama" (Peter Rauhofer) – Kim Cooper
  7. "Maybe (Love'll Make Sense to Me)" (Jeff Krassner; S. Faber) – Jeff Krassner
  8. "Enter You" (Jason Schafer) – Tori Spelling
  9. "¿Como Te Gusta Mi Pinga?" (A. Chapman) – Steve Hayes
  10. "I Am Woman* (Dance Mix)" (Helen Reddy; Ray Burton) – Jessica Williams
  11. "Trick of Fate/Enter You (Finale) [Instrumental]" (Jason Schafer)
  12. "Trick of Fate" (David Friedman) – Valerie Pinkston

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Festival Category Result
1999 Siegessäule Special Jury Teddy Award Berlin International Film Festival Feature film Won[14]
1999 Special Programming Committee Award Outfest Outstanding Emerging Talent – Jim Fall Won
1999 Grand Jury Prize Sundance Film Festival Dramatic Nominated[15]
2000 Golden Satellite Award 4th Golden Satellite Awards Best Supporting Actress – Musical or Comedy – Tori Spelling Nominated

Sequel

[edit]

In a December 2012 AfterElton.com interview, director Fall stated that he and writer Schafer were in the early stages of developing a sequel to Trick. Fall said the film would take place 12 years after the first one, with main characters Gabriel and Mark — not having stayed together because they were "not really right for each other" — meeting again and falling in love as grown men in their 40s.[16]

Fall announced in a non-public social media post in August 2018 that script for the sequel was completed and the project was moving forward, with Coco Peru attached to co-star. Scheduled for release in 2019, the film will be set in Los Angeles.[17][18] Fall subsequently told Out that Campbell, Pitoc, Spelling, Beyer and Hayes would be reprising their roles in Trick 2.[19] Other cast members announced in September 2018 include Guillermo Diaz, Jimmy Fowlie, Tara Karsian, Arne Gjelten, Joe Arellano, and Elizabeth Regensburger-Gonzalez.[15]

Later, Fall put a message on his website stating "Sadly, Trick 2 is not happening".[20]

Musical adaptation

[edit]

The film was adapted into a stage musical, titled Trick! The Musical, and debuted on May 1, 2025, at Out Front Theater Company in Atlanta, Georgia, with book and lyrics by Schafer, music by Arthur LaFrentz Bacon, and direction by Paul Conroy.[21] The musical debuted as Out Front Theater's closing production of its ninth season, with a planned run until May 17.[9][22]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Trick (1999 film)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
is a 1999 American film directed by Jim Fall in his feature debut, written by Jason Stewart and Marc Bovasso, and starring as aspiring Broadway songwriter Gabriel and John Paul Pitoc as go-go dancer Mark. The story centers on the pair's serendipitous meeting and their frustrated attempts to find privacy for a hookup during one chaotic Friday night in , encountering Gabriel's pushy friend Katherine (), drag performer , and various urban obstacles that test their budding connection. Produced independently on a modest budget of $450,000, Trick premiered at the 1999 , where it garnered attention as a lighthearted rom-com eschewing heavy dramatic tropes like AIDS for humor reminiscent of classic sex farces. The film earned critical praise for its witty script and energetic performances, achieving a 76% approval rating on based on contemporary reviews, though some critics like noted its uneven blend of sexual frankness and chaste romanticism. Despite limited theatrical distribution, Trick grossed $2,087,228 at the North American , marking a commercial success for its scale and distributor , and it won the Reader Jury Award of the "Siegessäule" at the . Over time, the film has developed a for its optimistic portrayal of desire and urban escapades, with retrospective accounts highlighting its role in early independent LGBTQ+ cinema.

Synopsis

Plot summary

Gabriel, an aspiring composer of Broadway musicals who works as an office temp, meets the go-go dancer Mark at a gay bar in Manhattan one Friday night. The two share flirtatious banter during a subsequent subway ride and decide to pursue a one-night stand. Upon arriving at Gabriel's , they discover it occupied by his straight roommate Rich and Rich's girlfriend Judy, who are preparing for their own intimate evening. Attempts to use alternative locations fail: Gabriel's friend , an aspiring , commandeers the space to print hundreds of resumes, while another friend, , is unavailable due to a personal reunion. As the night progresses, and Mark wander seeking privacy, facing interruptions at a public restroom—where they ultimately decide against proceeding—and encounters with colorful characters, including the drag performer , who harbors unrequited affections and shares anecdotes complicating their dynamic. Through these misadventures across clubs, diners, and streets, the pair navigates physical attraction alongside emerging emotional connection, transforming their initial hookup intent into something more substantive by night's end.

Cast and characters

Principal cast

Christian Campbell stars as Gabriel, a struggling musical theater who embarks on an unexpected adventure after meeting a go-go dancer. John Paul Pitoc portrays Mark, the athletic dancer who captures Gabriel's attention during a chaotic evening in . Tori Spelling plays Katherine, Gabriel's flamboyant best friend and roommate, who provides comic relief and support throughout the narrative.
ActorCharacter
John Paul PitocMark
Katherine

Supporting cast

Brad Beyer portrays Rich, a volatile club-goer whom initially hooks up with before ditching him, prompting a vengeful pursuit that drives much of the film's tension.
Lacey Kohl plays , Mark's pragmatic female roommate whose apartment becomes an unintended refuge, though her skepticism adds to the protagonists' evasion efforts.
Steve Hayes appears as , a flamboyant performer whose interactions provide comic relief and highlight the New York scene.
depicts Judy, Katherine's sassy friend who joins in the frantic search for a hideout, contributing to the dynamics.
Kevin Chamberlin roles as 's bitter ex-boyfriend, delivering exaggerated exasperation in brief but memorable scenes that underscore themes of relational fallout.
Additional supporting performers include as a drag persona enhancing the nightlife vignettes, and Will Keenan in a minor role as a club patron, fleshing out the ensemble's chaotic energy.

Production

Development

Jason Schafer wrote the screenplay for Trick drawing from his personal experiences as a struggling aspiring musical theater in his twenties living in . He initially conceived the story as a stage musical titled Gay Boy, inspired by real-life difficulties in securing privacy for a sexual encounter while sharing a one-bedroom with four female roommates. The film's final scene, depicting a character rushing to meet someone after a writing class, stemmed from an actual event in Schafer's life. Schafer shifted the project to a film script at the suggestion of actor Anthony Rapp prior to Rapp's involvement in the musical Rent. Upon completing the screenplay, Schafer hosted its first read-through in his apartment. Director Jim Fall optioned the script after encountering an early draft that was significantly shorter than the final version but captivated him with its charm. The development process spanned four years, involving repeated table readings and refinements to refine the narrative before securing production commitments from producers Eric d'Arbeloff, Ross Katz, and Fall himself.

Pre-production

The screenplay for Trick originated from writer Jason Schafer's experiences as a struggling musical theater aspirant in , initially drafted as a stage musical titled Gay Boy about a young writer sharing an apartment with four female roommates. Schafer revised it into a script at the suggestion of actor prior to the latter's involvement in Rent, incorporating a real-life-inspired finale drawn from a post-writing class encounter. Director Jim Fall optioned the script from Schafer and facilitated multiple table readings over a four-year development period to refine the material. Casting emphasized chemistry and comedic timing, with Fall directing early readings that featured auditions from actors including and . Christian Campbell was selected as Gabriel for his suitability despite concerns over his appearance, paired with John Paul Pitoc as Mark after testing their on-screen rapport. earned the role of Katherine through a standout audition of the diner sequence, overcoming casting director reservations about her celebrity status. (Clinton Leupp) joined following improvisational read-throughs that generated key comedic elements, such as the bathroom confrontation. The production assembled an independent team led by producers Eric d'Arbeloff, Fall, and , securing a of $450,000 after the extended phase. Locations were scouted in , targeting authentic urban sites like the to evoke the late-1990s atmosphere prior to September 11, 2001.

Principal photography

Principal photography for Trick commenced in August 1998 and was completed in less than three weeks, spanning 21 days amid a tight independent production schedule. The shoot faced typical constraints of time, lighting, and securing urban locations in , contributing to a fast-paced environment that emphasized efficiency. Filming occurred entirely on location in , capturing the film's setting through authentic street scenes and interiors. Key sites included the Don Hill club in for the dance-bar sequence, exteriors in Chelsea, the intersection of West 4th Street and 7th Avenue, a phone booth at 7th Avenue South and West 4th Street, 7th Avenue and , and subway platforms to evoke the characters' nocturnal odyssey. Director Jim Fall utilized these real-world New York locales to ground the in the city's vibrant, unpredictable energy of the late 1990s.

Post-production

The post-production phase of Trick followed in August 1998, culminating in a final runtime of 89 minutes for its January 1999 premiere. Editor Brian A. Kates assembled the footage, employing tight comedic timing to heighten the film's chaotic, one-night narrative structure without relying on extensive , consistent with its low-budget independent production. Post-production supervisor Hetakaisa Paarte oversaw the workflow, ensuring efficient integration of sound and picture elements to meet deadlines. The process emphasized practical enhancements, such as basic and audio mixing, to amplify the film's ambiance and dialogue-driven humor, avoiding digital manipulation typical of higher-budget features of the era. No significant were employed, prioritizing narrative authenticity over spectacle.

Music

Soundtrack composition

The original score for Trick was composed by David Friedman, a known for his work in and theater soundtracks during the . Friedman's contributions consist of tailored to the 's low-budget independent production, emphasizing playful, upbeat cues to underscore the romantic comedy's New York nightlife and interpersonal dynamics without relying on expansive orchestration. Complementing the score, the soundtrack integrates licensed and pop tracks selected to evoke the era's club culture and character energy, with music supervision handling clearances for performances in key scenes like drag shows and apartment parties. Notable inclusions feature remixed covers and originals such as Jessica Williams' dance version of "" (written by and Ray Burton) and Erin Hamilton's rendition of "" (originally by ). The compilation soundtrack album, issued by Lakeshore Records on July 20, 1999, prioritizes these vocal tracks over the score, reflecting a commercial focus on marketable hits rather than releasing Friedman's instrumental work separately. This approach aligns with the film's indie constraints and target audience preferences for accessible, upbeat and influences prevalent in late-1990s queer cinema.

Notable songs and performances

The soundtrack for Trick emphasizes electronic and pop tracks that complement the film's depiction of New York City's queer nightlife and comedic escapades. Released on July 20, 1999, by Lakeshore Records, the album features covers and es popular in late-1990s club culture. A standout track is "I Am Woman (Razor N' Guido Mix)" performed by Jessica Williams, a high-energy of Helen Reddy's 1972 empowerment , written by Reddy and Ray Burton; it underscores scenes of revelry and aligns with the film's themes of assertiveness amid chaos. Another notable entry is "Enter You," an original composition by screenwriter Jason Schafer, performed by in her role as the aspiring singer Perry; this song highlights character aspirations and integrates into a pivotal social gathering sequence. Other prominent songs include "" by , a cover of Gary Wright's 1975 hit that evokes dreamy escapism during transitional moments, and "Unspeakable Joy (Razor N' Guido Radio Mix)" by , featuring production by Maurice Joshua, which energizes party and pursuit scenes with its pulse. "" by Bibiche and "Someone to Hold (Album Mix)" by Veronica Vazquez further contribute to the soundtrack's vibe of romantic yearning and nightlife abandon, drawing from and vocal house genres prevalent at the time. These selections, while not involving full musical numbers, enhance the film's rhythm through diegetic club audio and non-diegetic scoring, without relying on live in-film performances beyond background integrations.

Release

Premiere and distribution

Trick premiered at the on January 27, 1999, where it screened in the American Spectrum competition and garnered positive attention for its comedic take on gay romance. The film's debut at the festival, a key platform for independent cinema, highlighted its appeal as a lighthearted exploration of a amid Manhattan's obstacles, contributing to subsequent acquisition deals. Following its Sundance screening, Trick received a in the United States on July 23, 1999, distributed domestically by , the specialty division of focused on independent films. Fine Line handled North American distribution, leveraging the film's festival momentum to target urban markets with strong LGBTQ+ audiences. International rights were managed by , the involved, which facilitated overseas releases through partnerships. The distribution strategy emphasized arthouse theaters and LGBTQ+ festivals prior to wider rollout, including screenings at events like the Fort Worth Gay and Lesbian International in 1999, to build word-of-mouth before commercial expansion. This approach aligned with the era's indie market, where festival validation often preceded modest theatrical runs supported by targeted .

Box office and financial performance

Trick was produced on a modest budget of $450,000, reflecting its status as an independent film with limited resources allocated to production and marketing. The film received a limited theatrical release in the United States on July 23, 1999, distributed by Fine Line Features, opening in a small number of theaters. Its opening weekend generated $118,594, representing approximately 5.8% of its total domestic gross. Over its theatrical run, Trick earned a domestic box office total of $2,087,228, with no reported significant international earnings, making the worldwide gross equivalent to the domestic figure. Financially, the film's performance exceeded expectations for a low-budget gay-themed in 1999, recouping its production costs multiple times over through theatrical receipts alone and achieving profitability without relying on ancillary markets like or streaming, which were less developed at the time. The strong —grossing over four times the budget—underscored its success as an indie title, particularly given the niche audience and limited marketing push typical of such releases.

Reception

Critical response

Upon its release, Trick received generally positive reviews from critics, with a 76% approval rating on based on 21 reviews. The site's consensus highlighted the film's success in subverting conventions by depicting its central romance as something requiring effort rather than inevitability, thereby delivering fresh humor and charm. Variety praised the film as "the most appealing and most erotic gay date movie ever made," commending its lively energy, witty dialogue, and the chemistry between leads and John Paul Pitoc, while noting its superiority to similar low-budget efforts in capturing authentic nightlife dynamics. Similarly, of described it as a "tenderhearted boy-meets-boy story" that ingeniously blended classic interruptions—reminiscent of films—with modern escapades, appreciating director Jim Fall's light touch in balancing and budding affection. The echoed this, calling it a "light and amusing item with a lively sense of humor" that avoided preachiness despite its themes, crediting the script's episodic structure for sustaining momentum through absurd obstacles. Not all responses were favorable; awarded it two out of four stars, critiquing its failure to reconcile a chaste, virginity-preserving arc with the film's overt sexual undercurrents, arguing that the Doris Day-inspired plot clashed awkwardly with the characters' libidinal pursuits, resulting in a tonally inconsistent experience. Despite such reservations, the film's sharp script by Jason Stewart and its ensemble performances, particularly Tori Spelling's comedic turn as a flamboyant friend, were frequently cited as strengths that elevated its indie constraints.

Audience reception

Trick garnered positive reception from audiences, particularly within LGBTQ+ communities, evidenced by strong user ratings on film aggregation sites. On , it maintains a 7.2 out of 10 rating from 9,832 user votes as of recent data. records an audience Popcornmeter score of 83% based on over 5,000 ratings, indicating broad approval among verified viewers. These scores reflect appreciation for the film's witty script and relatable depiction of fleeting romantic encounters, with users frequently citing its charm and humor as standout elements. User reviews emphasize the movie's engaging dynamics between leads and John Paul Pitoc, describing it as an "uplifting and life-affirming" take on young experiences. Many praise Tori Spelling's comedic supporting role and the film's avoidance of heavy in favor of tropes, making it a "fun" and rewatchable entry in the genre. On platforms like , it averages 3.4 out of 5 from 4,635 ratings, underscoring its enduring appeal as a lighthearted "" for fans of independent queer cinema. The film's modest performance—grossing $2 million domestically against a $450,000 budget—signaled solid niche audience support at release, contributing to its status over time. Retrospective audience feedback highlights its role in providing uncompromised representation of male desire without pandering to heterosexual norms, fostering repeat viewings and discussions in online communities. While some viewers noted pacing issues or formulaic elements, the prevailing sentiment positions Trick as an accessible and enjoyable rom-com for its target demographic.

Cultural and ideological critiques

Critics have noted that Trick challenges traditional stereotypes of male representation by featuring a muscular, character, played by John Paul Pitoc, whose body disrupts the historical conflation of passive with in cinema. This portrayal, analyzed through lenses, presents a form of " masculinity" that emphasizes physicality and desire without reducing the character to camp or victimhood, though academic interpretations caution that such depictions may still operate within broader cultural expectations of idealized male forms. The film's academic reception highlights its role in unsettling rigid sexuality/gender binaries, yet these analyses, often rooted in deconstructive frameworks prevalent in , prioritize interpretive fluidity over empirical audience responses. Secondary characters drew criticism for relying on familiar gay stereotypes, such as the flamboyant friend or intrusive drag enthusiast, which Variety described as "narrowly defined" and limiting the film's depth despite its comedic intent. This approach, while providing humor through exaggeration, has been seen as reinforcing clichéd tropes rather than subverting them, potentially undermining the narrative's push toward more authentic dynamics. Ideologically, Trick marked a departure from the dominant tragic or AIDS-focused narratives of the , offering instead a lighthearted rom-com structure that emphasized and hookup escapades without fatal consequences, as reflected in retrospective accounts praising its uplift for audiences. critiqued this as imposing a conservative, Doris Day-esque preservation of "quasi-virginity" onto explicitly sexual material, suggesting an underlying tension between the film's progressive themes and a reluctance to fully embrace uninhibited sexuality. Such observations point to a causal realism in the film's : its indie constraints and market appeal to broader audiences may have tempered radical elements, prioritizing commercial viability over unfiltered exploration of casual encounters. Conservative-leaning outlets, like the , focused primarily on content warnings for and rather than deeper ideological opposition, indicating the film's low-profile release evaded broader right-wing backlash.

Awards and nominations

Film festivals

Trick premiered at the on January 27, 1999, marking its world debut and generating early buzz as a highlight of the event's independent comedy lineup. The film did not receive competitive awards there but benefited from the festival's platform for emerging cinema. It screened at the 49th in February 1999, earning the Reader Jury of the "Siegessäule" award, a audience-voted prize from the festival's readership publication recognizing standout entries in the section. Additional festival screenings included Outfest , Frameline in (as part of Frameline 23), the in August 1999, and the Philadelphia International Gay & Lesbian in July 1999, where it opened the event. These appearances underscored the film's appeal within LGBTQ+ film circuits, though it secured no further major festival accolades beyond .

Other recognitions

received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical at the 4th Golden Satellite Awards in 2000 for her performance as Katherine Lambert in Trick. The Golden Satellite Awards, presented by the International Press Academy, recognize achievements in film and television, serving as an early indicator for major awards seasons. No other major non-festival awards or nominations were recorded for the film or its cast.

Legacy and adaptations

Cultural impact

Trick has achieved cult status within LGBTQ+ cinema circles, praised for its lighthearted portrayal of gay romance amid a landscape dominated by more tragic narratives in the late 1990s. The film's depiction of two men navigating a single night's hookup in New York City offered viewers an optimistic rom-com template, contrasting with earlier queer films often centered on suffering or isolation, and resonated with audiences seeking affirming representations. This approach influenced subsequent indie queer comedies by emphasizing whimsy and emotional connection over explicit tragedy, as noted in retrospectives marking its 25th anniversary in 2024. Audience testimonials highlight its personal significance, with some crediting the movie for aiding by showcasing relatable, non-pathologized experiences in everyday urban settings. Iconic elements, such as drag performer Miss Coco Peru's memorable line delivery, have endured in cultural memory, contributing to its replay value on cable and streaming platforms. However, its impact remains niche, primarily within communities rather than broader mainstream discourse, reflecting the era's limited visibility for such stories outside festival circuits. Academic analyses, including examinations of body representation in the film, underscore its role in challenging heteronormative gaze dynamics within media, though without sparking widespread theoretical shifts. The film's pre-9/11 New York backdrop evokes a specific moment in urban life, preserving a snapshot of pre-millennial that later works reference nostalgically. Overall, Trick exemplifies early strides in normalized , fostering a subgenre of feel-good rom-coms that prioritized over .

Sequel developments

In December 2012, director Jim Fall indicated that he and screenwriter Jason Schafer were in the early stages of developing a to Trick. Discussions resurfaced during the film's 15th anniversary in 2014, with Fall and cast members reflecting on the possibility in interviews, though no concrete progress was reported at that time. The most substantive developments occurred around the film's 20th anniversary in 2018. Fall announced on August 6, 2018, via that the script for Trick 2 was completed and the project was advancing toward , with a targeted release in 2019. The was envisioned as catching up with protagonists and Mark two decades later, incorporating modern elements like the Scruff to reunite them, while shifting settings between New York and ; returning cast included , John Paul Pitoc, and , with Fall writing and directing. To mark the milestone, the original cast reunited for a live table read of the screenplay in , which Fall described as generating enthusiasm but highlighted logistical challenges in indie cinema production. Despite these efforts, including preparations for a campaign evidenced by an unused promotional video, the project stalled due to funding shortfalls common in low-budget sequels to niche films. Fall confirmed on his official website that Trick 2 would not proceed, stating "Sadly, TRICK 2 is not happening," with no further updates or production as of 2023. No sequel has been released, reflecting broader difficulties in securing financing for follow-ups to comedies despite fan .

Musical adaptation

Trick! The Musical is a stage adaptation of the 1999 film, featuring a book and lyrics by Jason Schafer, the film's original screenwriter, and music by Arthur LaFrentz Bacon. The production retains the core narrative of two young men navigating a chaotic night in in pursuit of intimacy, interrupted by a series of comedic obstacles. Development of the musical began prior to its announcement on January 31, 2024, with , who portrayed in the film, attached as a . The world premiere occurred at Out Front Theatre Company in , Georgia, from May 1 to May 17, 2025, directed by James Cartee and featuring Aavyn Lee as and Will-Franklin Eller as Mark. Critics noted the musical's fidelity to the film's lighthearted tone, emphasizing its romantic elements and adult-oriented humor without veering into explicit territory. described it as a "lighthearted joy" that captures the interruptions central to the plot, while ArtsATL highlighted its charm and authenticity for mature audiences. As of October 2025, no further productions beyond the premiere have been confirmed.

References

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  33. https://www.reddit.com/r/MenLovingMenMedia/comments/1afr633/trick_25_years_later_an_oral_history_of_the_1999/
  34. https://www.jstor.org/stable/43263727
  35. https://www.cbc.ca/arts/back-to-1999-how-the-rom-com-charms-of-trick-gave-me-big-gay-hope-as-a-small-town-boy-1.4997279
  36. https://www.deseret.com/1999/9/21/20089263/film-review-trick/
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0162710/awards/
  38. https://www.tlvfest.com/en/fest_movie/trick/
  39. https://www.frameline.org/films/frameline23/trick
  40. https://www.theguardian.com/film/1999/aug/19/edinburghfilmfestival.festivals1
  41. https://www.mcall.com/1999/07/11/premieres-parties-and-jury-awards-top-phila-gay-film-fest/
  42. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/trick/2000127343/
  43. https://www.queerty.com/trick-director-jim-fall-remembers-the-classic-gay-rom-com-15-years-later-20140725
  44. https://johnnywrites.substack.com/p/the-agony-of-gay-cinema-trick
  45. https://www.advocate.com/clash-classics/2014/06/25/clash-classics-boys-band-vs-trick
  46. https://www.imdb.com/news/ni56831040/
  47. https://www.out.com/popnography/2018/8/11/director-jim-fall-talks-trick-2-and-20-years-original
  48. https://metrosource.com/trick-2-film-sequel
  49. https://www.queerty.com/finally-happening-original-trick-cast-reunites-gear-sequel-20180813/
  50. https://www.jimfallfilms.com/
  51. https://www.reddit.com/r/MenLovingMenMedia/comments/1d5y1ip/why_is_it_difficult_to_get_sequels_to_good_gay/
  52. https://phaylen.medium.com/trick-2-is-the-sequel-to-the-iconic-queer-film-weve-waited-20-years-for-b04105476657
  53. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Musical-Adaptation-of-1999-Gay-Rom-Com-TRICK-is-in-the-Works-20240131
  54. https://roughdraftatlanta.com/2025/04/21/trick-the-musical-to-have-its-world-premiere-at-out-front-theatre/
  55. https://www.artsatl.org/review-trick-at-out-front-is-a-romantic-authentic-musical-for-adults/
  56. https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/review-out-fronts-world-premiere-gay-musical-trick-is-a-lighthearted-joy/DIE3H5LTZFDF7HY47MWTIL7FKQ/
  57. https://www.broadwayworld.com/atlanta/article/TRICK-THE-MUSICAL-World-Premiere-to-Close-Out-Front-Theatre-Company-Season-20250403
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