It’s so easy to talk about people anonymously.  But once you know them and their situations, it becomes quite difficult.  Case in point,  Brent Corrigan – subject of the film King Cobra, which I saw at the MiFo LGBT Film Festival in Fort Lauderdale.  I used to have lots of fun at Brent’s expense.  He was young, good-looking, involved in underage porn, and was the center of a dramatic murder case.  He was like a gay Traci Lords – with a little Patty Hearst thrown in!  Since he appeared to have come out of it better than everyone else involved, I felt he was fair game – even when I was onstage in front of him!  Then something terrible happened – I got to know him.  Despite not liking my jokes, he was charming and we became friendly.  The more I knew, the less funny it all seemed.

It should be mentioned that James Franco‘s King Cobra was done without Brent’s assistance or blessing.  And perhaps that’s why he comes out of it the least fully realized character.  Most of the others come across as damaged and desperate – specifically the guy who “discovered” and exploited Brent, and the two rival porn producers/stars who wanted to work with Brent.  They decide the best way to eliminate Corrigan’s binding contract with his mentor is to eliminate the mentor.  By the end of the film, you have sympathy for everyone involved – except, ironically, Brent.  Corrigan comes out scarred but still standing – and showing off his backside to the camera and winking (his eye, not his ass).  The real Brent Corrigan was wise to not get involved.  But you would be wise to see this film – even if you think you know it all.

Our Ask Billy question this week goes back to our first story.  Joshua in Chicago asks, “What do you know about Garrett Clayton?  He plays Brent Corrigan in that movie and is gorgeous.  He must be gay.”

Must he?  Depends on who you ask.  If you ask Garrett, he’ll tell you, “I don’t really like talking about my personal life.  I like a certain amount of veil.”  Ask yourself this question – how many straight men use the word “veil” in a sentence?  Exactly.  While he’s undeniably hot, I don’t think he captured Corrigan’s je ne sais quoi.  He needed more “quoi“.  What he doesn’t need – or want – is more clothing.  “I like to be as naked as possible.  If friends come over, I’ll just have on basketball shorts with no socks, no shirt, and maybe underwear.  I hate clothes.”