When you spend years trying to set your son up with the perfect 'shiksa' centerfold just to find out he is actually head over heels for an Italian guy named Angelo.
Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!! (2009) is a comedy gay film directed, written, and produced by Evgeny Afineevsky with Lainie Kazan, Saul Rubinek, Vincent Pastore, John Lloyd Young, Jai Rodriguez, Bruce Vilanch, Fred Swink and Carmen Electra.
A classic family clash with a lot of heart
This is one of those movies that feels like a cozy, slightly chaotic Sunday dinner. We have Shirley and Martin, a classic Jewish couple who just want their son, Nelson, to settle down. Shirley is constantly pushing "perfect" girls his way, even accidentally meeting a centerfold she thinks is the one. The setup is predictable but the execution is where the fun is, especially once Nelson stops hiding his boyfriend, Angelo.
The atmosphere is very much that old-school indie comedy vibe - loud, fast-paced, and full of misunderstandings. It does not try to be a deep, heavy drama. Instead, it leans into the absurdity of the situation. When the Jewish Hirsch family finally meets Angelo’s Italian-American family, the movie really hits its stride. It is a clash of stereotypes, sure, but played for laughs in a way that feels familiar and warm.
The parents really steal the show
Lainie Kazan and Saul Rubinek are fantastic as the parents. They have this great chemistry that makes you believe they have been married for decades. You can tell they are having fun with the roles, especially Saul, who plays the "confused but trying" father perfectly. Their reaction to the news is exactly what you would expect - a mix of horror, confusion, and eventually, a clumsy attempt to understand a world they know nothing about.
John Lloyd Young and Jai Rodriguez are charming as the central couple. They have a sweet energy, though the movie definitely focuses more on how the parents handle the news than on the romance itself. Seeing Bruce Vilanch and Carmen Electra pop up in the mix adds to that quirky, slightly over-the-top feeling that makes this a light, easy watch. It is the kind of film you put on when you want something that feels like a recommendation from a friend who loves a good laugh at family drama.
The whole thing wraps up with a message about family being family, no matter how much they drive you crazy. It is not trying to reinvent the wheel, but the actors are likeable enough to make the journey worth it. It is definitely an upgrade for the archive, especially since it captures that specific era of gay-themed comedies so well.
