Say what you will about the raunchy gay sex comedy Eating Out 2: Sloppy Seconds (the sequel to, yes, Eating Out), it had the nerve and energy to be as lowbrow as the subject matter demanded.

And part of that energy came in the form of a go-for-broke performance by American Idol's only openly gay runner-up, Jim Verraros.

The singer is proving himself a likably funny screen presence, so it's good to see him signed on with former Queer as Folk star Peter Paige for the new feature Copacabana, Of Love and Shadows.

The story revolves around a British artist's relationship with a Brazilian street kid, and the drag queen that complicates things for both of them.

Paige stars as "Miranda," while Verraros takes on both male and female roles for the film.

Shooting in Rio de Janeiro, look for this Copa eventually to shake its way onto the gay film-festival circuit.

Last update: 12-29-2007 00:06