History YMMV / BenandArthur

* HilariousInHindsight: Most comparisons between this film and ''TheRoom'' (which was written and apparently shot before this film, but released afterwards) tend to refer to their mutual incompetence and anviliciousness, but the two films have a surprising amount in common:

** The tagline for the film is "Only the power of love can defeat a holy soldier on a mission." In the film, however, [[spoiler:the ''opposite'' happens: Said "holy soldier" actually defeats the ostensibly loving protagonists by killing them. Such success as accomplished by Victor would render the tagline false.]] With a dose of [[FridgeLogic Fridge Logic]], however, one could reinterpret the tagline and the events in the film to imply that the two protagonists ''lacked'' the love that was necessary to stop Victor, meaning that Ben and Arthur weren't really in love to begin with. This would give the impression that homosexuals form relationships out of sheer interest ([[MoneyDearBoy sharing the rent]], having a regular sexual partner, proving some point about the viability of a homosexual relationship, etc.) and are simply incapable (or even uninterested) in committing to steady, trusting relationships based on love.

* CriticalResearchFailure: With the option to marry Arthur in Hawaii now gone, Ben mentions to Tammy that he and Arthur can marry in Vermont instead, as a means to dismiss Tammy's claim that "men can't get married in the United States". The film was released in 2002. Vermont allowed same-sex civil unions in 2000; as [[WebVideo/ObscurusLupa Obscurus Lupa]] noted, same-sex marriage was not possible in Vermont until 2009.

* CriticalResearchFailure: Ben mentioned that, with the option to marry Arthur in Hawaii now gone, the two can marry in Vermont instead, as a means to dismiss Tammy's claim that "men can't get married in the United States". The film was released in 2002. Vermont allowed same-sex civil unions in 2000; as [[WebVideo/ObscurusLupa Obscurus Lupa]] noted, same-sex marriage was not possible in Vermont until 2009.

* CriticalResearchFailure: Ben mentioned that, with the option to marry Arthur in Hawaii now gone, the two can marry in Vermont instead. The film was released in 2002. Vermont allowed same-sex civil unions in 2000; as [[WebVideo/ObscurusLupa Obscurus Lupa]] noted, same-sex marriage was not possible in Vermont until 2009.

** After an argument, Ben punches Arthur, knocking the latter down. In the following scene, Ben tends to Arthur's wounds and gives the following gem: "That'll teach you to not say stupid things." An already bad comment is made worse by the following: Considering how irritating Arthur has been up to this point, we actually ''cheer'' when Ben throws the punch. This places the audience in an awkward position of tacitly condoning domestic violence, which sadly presides in many hetero- and homosexual relationships and is ([[ValuesDissonance usually]]) ''condemned''.

** The tagline for the film is "Only the power of love can defeat a holy soldier on a mission." In the film, however, [[spoiler:the ''opposite'' happens: Said "holy soldier" actually defeats the ostensibly loving protagonists by killing them. Such success as accomplished by Victor would render the tagline false.]] With a dose of [[FridgeLogic Fridge Logic]], however, one could reinterpret the tagline and the events in the film to imply that the two protagonists ''lacked'' the love that was necessary to [[spoiler:stop Victor]], meaning that Ben and Arthur weren't really in love to begin with. This would give the impression that homosexuals form relationships out of sheer interest ([[MoneyDearBoy sharing the rent]], having a regular sexual partner, proving some point about the viability of a homosexual relationship, etc.) and are simply incapable (or even uninterested) in committing to steady, trusting relationships based on love.

* MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext: Why oh why is it important to see Arthur ''vacuum his carpet'' after Victor visits and admonishes him?

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** After an argument, Ben punches Arthur, knocking the latter down. In the following scene, Ben tends to Arthur's wounds and gives the following gem: "That'll teach you to not say stupid things." An already bad comment is made worse by the following: Considering how irritating Arthur has been up to this point, we actually ''cheer'' when Ben throws the punch This places the audience in an awkward position of tacitly condoning domestic violence, which sadly presides in many hetero- and homosexual relationships and is ([[ValuesDissonance usually]]) ''condemned''.

* MakesJustAsMuchSenseinContext: Why oh why is it important to see Arthur ''vacuum his carpet'' after Victor visits and admonishes him?

* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: Why oh why is it important to see Arthur ''vacuum his carpet'' after Victor visits and admonishes him?

* Padding: The vacuuming scene after Victor visits Arthur.

** After an argument, Ben punches Arthur, knocking the latter down. In the following scene, Ben tends to Arthur's wounds and gives the following gem: "That'll teach you to not say stupid things." An already bad comment is made worse by the following: Considering how irritating Arthur has been up to this point, we actually ''cheer'' when Ben throws the punch This places the audience in an awkward position of tacitly condoning domestic violence, which is ([[ValuesDissonance usually]]) ''condemned'' yet is sadly present in many hetero- and homosexual relationships.

** After an argument, Ben punches Arthur, knocking the latter down. In the following scene, Ben tends to Arthur's wounds and gives the following gem: "That'll teach you to not say stupid things." An already bad comment is made worse by the following: Considering how irritating Arthur has been up to this point, we actually ''cheer'' when Ben throws the punch, thus placing us the audience in an awkward position of tacitly condoning domestic violence, an unfortunate behavior in both hetero- and homosexual relationships that must ''stop''.

* CluelessAesop: Good message. Absolutely ''no'' idea how to deliver it well.

* MrFanservice: Ben; despite never actually appearing shirtless [[CoversAlwaysLie as the DVD cover implies]], his outfits show off actor Jamie Brett Gabel's body pretty well. Arthur also wears some very revealing outfits and has a rear-nude scene, though whether you'd actually ''want'' to see Sam Mraovich naked is a different matter entirely.

** Both films take place in one of the two largest cities of California (Los Angeles in this film, San Francisco in ''The Room'').

** A wedding that ultimately never occurs is an important plot point in both films.

* InformedAttractiveness: Averted by both Ben and Arthur. Ben actually is a very good-looking guy, and while Sam Mraovich seems to think he's more attractive than he really is, the dialogue is fortunately too busy being Anvilicious to pass comment on Arthur's looks.

* MrFanservice: Ben. Arthur is ''supposed'' to be this as well, but the reality could hardly be more different.

* {{Squick}}: Arthur's bathtub baptism, mostly because Victor thinks they should be performed with the recipient "naked in Jesus's eyes."

* MrFanservice: Ben. Arthur is ''supposed'' to be this, but the reality could hardly be more different.