The Real World meets the reel world

While I was looking forward to seeing the movie Pedro, the closing movie at Fusion, Outfest’s LGBT People of Color Film Festival, I will admit I had low expectations for it.

I figured this movie version of the life of Pedro Zamora couldn’t possibly begin to match the moving drama of the brave and courageous man we watched on Season 3 of MTV’s The Real World back in 1994. And besides, it was produced by the movie division of MTV, which has developed a reputation for producing lower quality films.

So it was with amazement and delight that I watched Pedro unfold. It’s an outstanding move. It looks great. It’s well acted. Expertly directed. And the script from Dustin Lance Black (who just won an Oscar for his Milk screenplay) is nuanced and polished (perhaps even more polished than his Milk script).

Pedro Zamora was the first openly HIV-positive man on television. At a time when portrayals of gays on TV were slim (gay twentysomething Matt on Melrose Place, gay receptionist John Irvin on NYPD Blue and gay teen Rickie on My So-Called Life were appearing at the same time), Pedro was the one who was there being a role model for so many gay viewers. He was out and proud and not ashamed of being HIV positive.

Director Nick Oceano told the audience beforehand that as a closeted gay teen in San Antonio, he’d been moved and inspired by Pedro (who died from AIDS complications on the night that the final episode of The Real World San Francisco aired). And Oceano did Pedro justice. Pedro is a fitting tribute to his life.

The movie starts where America met him – at the Real World house on Lombard Street. They recreate key scenes from the series including his conflicts with the abrasive Puck and his budding friendship with Judd and Pam. But it quickly, and wisely, moves beyond the house to provide glimpses of Pedro as a child in Cuba, as a teenager in Miami and as an AIDS activist.

Alex Loynaz portrays Pedro; photo by James F. Mills

Alex Loynaz is amazing as Pedro. Loynaz bears more than a passing resemblance to Pedro, but so expertly captures his spirit and embodies his courage, you soon forget you’re watching an actor in a movie. As the movie progresses, actors doing camera confessional scenes set years after Pedro’s death make it feel at times like you’re watching a behind-the-scenes reunion special.

But it’s the family scenes which truly flesh Pedro out. Loynaz manages to portray a conflicted teenager aching to please his family, but also anxious to explore his sexuality so seamlessly, it feels like the Real World camera crews were there capturing those scenes years before he applied to be a part of the San Francisco cast. The scenes between Loynaz and Justina Machado, who plays Pedro’s older sister Mily, have such fierce intensity and genuine love, the voyeuristic aspects feel particularly high.

Judd Winick and Pam Ling, who are now married in real life, are portrayed wonderfully by Hale Appleman and Jenn Liu. The pair's budding romance is touched upon; Appleman being especally effective letting Judd's love emerge ever so gradually. There’s even a scene where the real Pam and Judd have a cameo walking down a flight of steps. And that real world meets reel world moment threw me for a loop. Having just met the real Pam and Judd on the red carpet minutes beforehand, I found myself wondering why the movie version of Pedro didn't acknowlege them in that scene. I asked myself, “Why’s he ignoring his roommates like that.” Then, I realized, “Oh, it’s just a cameo.”

Real-life spouses Pam and Judd Winick (on left) with their movie counterparts, Jenn Liu and Hale Appleman; photo by James F. Mills

The other Real World San Francisco residents are there – Rachel, Mohammed and Cory – but they don’t play a major part in this movie. The other key player from the series is Sean Sasser, Pedro’s boyfriend whom he would marry in a commitment ceremony on one of the final episodes of that season. DeJuan Johnson skillfully plays Sean, allowing viewers to see his love and admiration for Pedro blossom. Johnson and Loynaz have a nice, easy chemistry, just like Sean and Pedro did.

Be warned, this movie is a tearjerker. I’m not someone who cries in movies easily, but I was constantly wiping away tears as I watched this movie. And the guys sitting beside me were weeping every bit as much as I was. And just when it’s over, they flash scenes of the real Pedro, which sent my tear ducts into overdrive.

Obviously, anyone who watched that Season 3 of the Real World and was moved by Pedro, will enjoy this movie. But the friend accompaning me (who had not watched the show and had no idea who Pedro was before the screening) was also moved by his story, albeit without the tears, saying he was sorry he’d missed it back in 1994.

Pedro is scheduled to air on MTV, VH1 and Logo on April 1 at 8 p.m.

View photos from the red carpet arrivals