A Very Natural Thing

The film opens with a mini-documentary of New York City's 1973 Gay Pride parade and rally, setting a tone of visibility and celebration. A young lesbian declares that being gay is natural, underscoring the era's urgency and hope. The sequence places the personal stories that follow within a broader social moment.

After a vow release, David steps away from his monastic vocation and begins life outside the monastery. This transition marks the start of his search for personal freedom and connections. It sets the stage for his later relationships and choices.

David works as a public school English Literature teacher in the New York City area. He spends his days teaching and drives into the city to visit his longtime friend Alan at a gay bar. This routine hints at the tension between his professional life and his search for connection.

One evening at the bar, Mark singles out David to dance, sparking instant attraction. They share a night together, which Mark treats as casual but agrees to see David again. The encounter plants the seed for a deeper relationship.

David and Mark begin a monogamous relationship after their initial night, and David moves in with Mark. The couple enjoys closeness but soon faces questions about fidelity and romantic expectations. The seed of future conflict is planted early.

Mark wants to have sex with other men and rejects modeling their relationship on heterosexual marriage. He resists expressing love, which strains the couple's bond. After about a year, they realize they are marking time rather than building a future.

To spice up their relationship, they go to Fire Island for a weekend, and David pushes himself to join an orgy but can't go through with it. A heated argument follows, driving David to seek temporary refuge with his friend Alan. The weekend exposes the gulf between their desires.

A later encounter at Coney Island cements that reconciliation isn't possible, as Mark remains more interested in sex than in a romantic partnership. David confronts the pain of the failing relationship and begins to accept the inevitable separation.

After the breakup, David endures a season of loneliness as he navigates life without his former partner. He continues to search for meaningful connection, reflecting on what went wrong. The chapter sets the stage for a new love to enter his life.

David meets Jason, a divorced photographer, at the 1973 Gay Pride rally, signaling the possibility of a committed relationship. Jason embodies a man who has left heterosexual life and built a private, artistic world. The encounter presents a hopeful turn for David's love life.

They go to Jason's apartment and begin to learn each other's rhythms. Jason, a divorced dad, describes juggling parenting, an ex-wife, and a new lover. He suggests a form of commitment that could suit David, blending affection with independence.

During a parental visit, Jason's ex-wife accompanies him on photo shoots with their toddler son, highlighting ongoing familial ties. Jason tells his ex-wife he plans to spend Labor Day with someone new. The scene shows how chosen families intersect with traditional ones.

Jason confirms the Labor Day plans with David, signaling a commitment that goes beyond casual dating. They navigate the complexities of blending past relationships with a budding romance. The plan marks a turning point toward a more serious future.

The story ends with David and Jason splashing naked in the surf on Cape Cod, a visual metaphor for openness and a hopeful bond. The moment seals their commitment and the possibility of a life together. The sea scene serves as a triumphant, intimate closure.