‘Looking: The Movie’ Offers Much Needed Closure
The chapter is closing for Patrick, Dom, and Agustin.
Were you Team Kevin or Team Richie? Perhaps even Team Patrick?
Looking: The Movie finds Patrick returning to San Francisco after moving to Denver for a job, reuniting with his best friends and trying to find his path.
Isn’t that what we all are trying to do? Find out what we want in life and how to achieve it?
It’s such a shame this show was canceled. The premise was very Sex and the City, but instead followed three gay men as they navigated through life in San Francisco, and the struggles that come with being an open, proud, gay man.
Even for those who aren’t gay, the coming-of-age story about finding yourself in the big, bad world.
Patrick (Jonathan Groff) was never able to figure out who he was or what he wanted in the show’s two short seasons, and the conclusion of his story wasn’t about finding his happily ever after, at least not in the traditional sense.
But Looking wasn’t a traditional television show. Why give a boring, happy ending to a show that opened up discussion about gay men having sex, HIV/AIDS, the true nature of coming out, and so many other important aspects of being a gay adult, male or female.
Perhaps Patrick’s happy ending was finally being happy with himself. To admit that he ran from everything when the road got rocky.
Kevin: When I said I wanted to monogamous with you, I meant it.
Patrick: I didn’t want you to make a promise you couldn’t keep.
Team Kevin as I always was, it’s no surprise that, in the end, Patrick and Richie chose each other, and reunited amidst their very different life plans.
Patrick: I was in love with you back then. I’m in love with you now. Only I’m not afraid of that feeling anymore.
Patrick’s commitment issues throughout the show were never really explored as deeply as they could have been, as if they were a result of his relationship with his parents and their divorce or whatever else he’d experienced as a child.
Kevin was an important part of his journey, and he broke Kevin’s heart. But Kevin just imprinted his face onto those issues by cheating on Patrick, and then returning to his ex.
Every happy ending has a sad, bittersweet moment, and that’s exactly what we’ve just experienced. Just as Patrick planned to return to his old company in a higher position, his return was met with both Kevin and Richie announcing their departure from the city.
Thankfully, Patrick didn’t just return for love. No, he returned to his home, to his friends. Dom and Agustin have been his home, and they’re both finally happy, so it’s time for Patrick to be, too.
Speaking of, Agustin’s happiness surprisingly came from getting married. If anyone were to get married, who would’ve thought it’d be him and not Patrick?
But Agustin and Eddie have such a sweet, honest relationship, and Agustin changed to be a better man for the person he loved. Not changed for the person he loved, but for himself to be a better man to deserve that love in return.
And Dom finally balanced his relationship with his profession and Doris decided to have a child.
All in all, the Looking crew found their happiness: each other.
It’s a sad ending for the unique television show with so much potential — and the ability to open eyes to people who are ignorant and/or oblivious to any aspect of being a gay man.
What did you think of Looking‘s two season and a movie run?
Are you now ready to say farewell to Patrick, Dom, Agustin, and San Francisco? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Jay Ruymann
Jay is a freelance writer and a Slytherin, who uses Leslie Knope as a role model, suffering from an addiction to coffee and television that is only encouraged by his professional life. While busy slaving away at the day-to-day, he also enjoys a good binge-watch of Parks and Recreation and Pretty Little Liars.