Shock to the System

Gay private detective Donald Strachey is hired by several different people to prove that they didn't murder Paul Haig - a prominent product of an ex-gay therapy group. Strachey has to go undercover inside the therapy group to find the answers.

(In the film, Paul Haig is Strachey's client and he goes undercover to find out what happened to him.)

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Shock to the System (2006) - Rated R - 91 min

Starring: Chad Allen, Morgan Fairchild, Michael Woods, Sebastian Spence, Daryl Shuttleworth

Directed by: Ron Oliver                                                                                                                                     Screenplay by: Ron McGee

Genre: Drama, Crime/Gangster

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A Shock to the System (1995) - 192 pages

Author: Richard Stevenson

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

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Shock to the System doesn't really interest me. It's about a gay detective that goes undercover in an ex-gay therapy group. To be completely honest, it sounds like it would just bring up too many controversial issues. I don't know if "controversial" is the right word though. I watch plenty of stuff that deals with controversy and enjoy it. But this -- a gay guy going undercover with ex-gays and struggling with his own issues and/or theirs. Just too complicated for me. It could definitely be of interest to others though - especially those who may struggle with the gay/ex-gay issue. I'll be interested to find out if Hollywood "gets it" or not with this movie. So often they tend to overcomplicate the "issues of the day" or push stereotypes or who knows what it else. So we'll see.

My worries of overcomplication and melodrama may be unfounded though. Based on the book reviews, it sounds as if this detective tale may have more of a comedic and upbeat tone than a complicated, depressing one. Movie and book seem to be at a disconnect from the descriptions thus far. The movie seems to lean towards the dramatic and dark while the book is described as "refreshing".