It's In The Water, Thirst Quencher or Water Torture?
By Kevin Williams

December 28, 2001

Welcome to Azalea Springs, a small Southern town where the accents are as big as the hairstyles. Life in this sleepy hamlet gets a major caffeine rush when the local chapter of "Homo-No-Mo" tries to shutdown a newly opened AIDS hospice. With a motto like "Turn or Burn," you'd think they'd be more compassionate conservatives. "Homo-No-MO" is a religious group that believes that Heterosexuality is only twelve steps away. Those twelve steps get even harder to walk for Mark Anderson (Derrick Sanders,) when an achingly sexy Latin named Tomas (Timothy Vahle,) attends one of the group's meetings. Mark has been trying to suppress his Homosexuality with mixed results for most of his young life. A life made more complicated when Mark's father, the owner of the local newspaper, orders him to print a rumor that's been buzzing around the town. Word on the tree-lined streets is that something in the water is making the residents of Azalea Springs… Gay.

The debate over Perrier vs. tap water is the last thing on Alex Stratton's (Keri Jo Chapman) mind. Alex has a husband who hasn't touched her in weeks and a nagging mother determined to maker her the bell of Southern society. Against both her husband and mother's wishes, Alex accepts a job at the new AIDS hospice. On Alex's first day at the hospice she runs into nurse Grace Miller (Teresa Garrett,) a good friend from high school who moved back to Azalea Springs after a bitter divorce. The two old friends get closer as Alex and her husband grow more distant.

Will Mark and Tomas surrender to their unspoken passion, or is Mark truly a "Homo-No-MO?" Will Alex and her man find their way back into each other's arms, or will Alex find herself doing the wave at the next K.D. Lang concert? You're going to have to see the movie to find out.

It's In The Water is one of the few films in Lesbian / Gay cinema that actually appeals to both Lesbians and Gay men. So call your best gal pal, pour some wine and tear open the Jiffy Pop, because this movie has something for both of you! When this satire's tongue isn't firmly in cheek, it's sticking out at the Christian Right.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Keri Jo Chapman and Teresa Garrett. I found myself hoping they'd get together from their first moments on screen. Who knew I was so into girl-on-girl action? As for the guys, the smoldering Timothy Vahle isn't on screen nearly enough, but I loved every moment that he was! I have to mention Barbara Lasater, for her portrayal of Lily, Alex's meddling mother. Barbara steals the show as one of the quintessential "Southern ladies who lunch."

It's In The Water has a heart that's often in the right place, but there is a bitter after taste to this liquid refreshment. My only real problem with this film is the stereotypical depiction of its two black characters. One character is a maid who's a red scarf away from being on a box of pancake mix, while the other black character just happens to be a drag queen. If I see one more movie where the only black man in the cast is a drag queen, I'm heading to the nearest clock tower during the next Gay film festival, and I'm gunning for a few screenwriters and casting directors!

Kevin Williams pushes on It's In The Water.

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