History Film / BenAndArthur

-->'''Arthur (voiceover):''' I think I took it rather well. I guess regardless of how well you know someone, there's always more to learn. The important thing is, [[TemptingFate we're gonna stay together]].

* CaptainsLog: In a brief [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment Big Lipped Alligator Moment]], Arthur writes in his diary in the only scene where we see him doing so. His voiceover stating the contents of the entry he scribbles down explains plot points that [[MrExposition are explained in the next scene anyway]].

* CaptainsLog: In a brief [[BigLippedAlligatorMoment Big Lipped Alligator Moment]], Arthur writes in his diary, the only scene we see him doing so. His voiceover stating the entry's contents explains plot points that [[MrExposition are explained in the next scene anyway]].

* 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]] noted, same-sex marriage was not possible in Vermont until 2009.

* Critical Research Failure: Ben mentioned that, with the option to marry Arthur in Hawaii now gone, the two can marry in Vermont instead. Vermont allowed same-sex civil unions in 2000; the film was released in 2002. As [[ObscurusLupa]] noted, same-sex marriage was not possible in Vermont until 2009.

* [[{{UglyGuyHotWife}} Ugly Guy Hot Husband]]: Arthur and Ben, respectively. Somewhat subverted in that their marriage is not recognized by the State of California.

* UglyGuyHotWife: Arthur and Ben, respectively. Somewhat subverted in that their marriage is not recognized by the State of California.

* UglyGuyHotWife: Arthur and Ben, respectively; somewhat subverted in that their marriage is not recognized by the State of California.

* NoAccountingForTaste: The second type; as the film progresses, we never learn why Ben would stay in a relationship with an irritating, thoroughly unattractive man like Arthur, or what virtues would make Arthur an otherwise worthwhile love interest.

* UglyGuyHotWife: Ben and Arthur, respectively; somewhat subverted in that their marriage is not recognized by the State of California.

* UglyGuyHotWife: Ben and Arthur; somewhat subverted in that their marriage is not recognized by the State of California.

* WorstNewsJudgementEver: While the overturning of Hawaii's decision to legalise gay marriage would be a pretty significant event, it's highly doubtful that any California newspaper would run it as their front page story.

* BuryYourGays: [[spoiler:Both of the titular characters, plus Victor and the attorney if you go by WordOfGod]].

* ChurchOfHappyology: Victor's church comes across this way, even though it's probably supposed to be of a standard Christian denomination. The congregants believe that Victor's ''brother'' being gay will somehow turn their children into homosexuals, and the priest encourages Victor to [[spoiler:kill Arthur]] in order to get into heaven. Even Arthur seems to regard this particular church as being monumentally screwed up.

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Several characters disappear as the film goes on, most notably Tammy, the cop investigating [[spoiler:the initial, unsuccessful attempt on Ben's life]], and the assassin that Victor hires.

* BuryYourGays: [[spoiler:Both of the titular characters]].

* ImprobableAimingSkills: In the film's climax, [[spoiler:Victor shoots Arthur seven times, but Arthur hangs on long enough to fire off a single shot at Victor -- which hits him right in the forehead, killing him instantly]].
* InformedAttribute: Mildred is supposed to be Ben and Arthur's neighbor, and (surprise, surprise) psychotically homophobic. This is never made clear on-screen however, meaning she gets pissy with Arthur at the coffee shop for no obvious reason, then later turns up without any explanation at Ben and Arthur's apartment to tell them of the bike theft.

* StraightGay: Both Ben and Arthur. Yes, we have a film where two of the three main characters are Straight Gay, and the third is Camp Straight.

* BechdelTest: Fails pretty dismally; there are only three female characters in the film (Mildred, Ben's ex-wife Tammy, and the attorney), and none of them even share a ''scene'', let alone any dialogue. About the best thing you can say about the film in this regard is that most of the dialogue isn't gender-specific, meaning you could swap Ben and Arthur for a lesbian couple without making too many major changes.

* CreatorKiller: Not Sam Mraovich, since he had no career to kill in the first place, but Mike Haboush, who co-produced the film and starred as Victor. Prior to this he actually had something resembling an acting career, having had bit parts in ''PowerRangersLostGalaxy'' and ''TheWestWing''. Nowadays he acts in gay porn under the name of "Mike Bush."

** Turned UpToEleven by Victor, who is so determined to turn Arthur straight that he ends up murdering [[spoiler:the attorney, then Ben]].

* PsychoExGirlfriend: Ben's ex-wife. Granted, one could see how she was being pissed off as being used as TheBeard for several years, but she comes across as totally batshit, way too much for it to have been Ben's fault.