The toast of the Sundance Film Festival a few short months ago, Trick will grace theaters everywhere in August 1999. With the movie's main couple being gay, most may assume the plot will be preachy or serious. But that couldn't be any further from the case. The romantic comedy follows an aspiring musical writer (Christian Campbell) and a go-go boy (John Paul Pitoc) as they look for a place to have a one-night stand. However, when fate and Tori Spelling intervene, Gabriel and Mark have more than they bargained for. Christian chats from his cell phone. And by the way, he's Neve's brother.

Are you surprised by all the hype surrounding Trick?

Yeah, definitely surprised. I knew it would do well during the festival circuit. But I never thought it was going to do this well.

Every review I read has been pretty glowing.

There have been a couple people that hadn't gotten it or just didn't like the film. But generally the larger percentage has been really positive reviews. We've been very lucky.

Why do you think people aren't getting the film?

Maybe they feel it's just too light and trite for their tastes. It's funny actually--it's been a lot of the gay magazines, The Advocate for one, that have put it down. Maybe it has to do with the fact that it treats the whole thing so lightly. Maybe because everyone else likes it, they decided to hate it because it makes them look good.

Was it the lighter themes that attracted you to the script?

Absolutely. It was just a wonderful love story. It had nothing to do with, "I'm gay, I'm angry and you're going to accept it, dammit." It just had to do with two spirits falling in love.

Do you think this movie will attract a wider audience because it's not heavy-handed--no allusions to homophobia or AIDS?

I definitely think a wider audience than other gay films. Some people are saying Trick is going to have huge crossover appeal, and I think that's being very hopeful. And I think it's being falsely hopeful. No matter what, it's still being advertised as a gay film and that's going to scare some people away. In terms of more cosmopolitan, open-minded, liberal people, I think they will be willing to go for it.

How exactly did you land the part of Gabriel, since you mainly have done smaller stuff in the past?

Well, this is still considered small--it was an independent film. I had been producing a film and one of the people I was working with went to school with Eric d'Arbeloff, Trick's producer. And basically she just recommended me to this guy. After I read the script, he and I sat down for coffee and talked about it. Cut to a couple months later and I was auditioning for [director] Jim [Fall]. We did two reads with Jim. The first one I was disappointed in--the second one I nailed.

Are there any similarities between you and the character of Gabriel?

I pulled out elements of myself from when I was younger. Younger in terms of just that point in your life where you are deciding to stand up for yourself--"take me or leave me for what I am." I think everyone goes through that. Gabriel also allowed me delve into some insecurities that I usually don't touch on. It was nice to go to those places. It was something my family watched and they were really impressed by. They were happy to see me delve into places that were softer and more introspective.

What did Neve think about it?

She loved it.

Are you sick of people asking you in interviews about Neve?

It's expected, so I don't get sick of it. It's the reality of my life. I'm happy about it because it means Neve's life is doing really well.

How was it starring opposite Tori Spelling?

She was great--really easy to work with, very professional. She really had a great sense of comedy.

Have you two worked together before?

This is the second time. The original reason I came down to Los Angeles was to do a television series for her father called "Malibu Shores" [1996]. It was short-lived. She actually came over from "90210" for an episode to help pump our ratings a bit.

Trick's transvestite character Miss Coco Peru vaguely resembles Tori in drag. Is there anything to it?

That wasn't even known until we were finally editing the damn thing together [laughs]. We didn't even see it. And then suddenly everyone was going, "My God, they look a lot alike." It was not intended at all.

Do you have any advice for aspiring actors and actresses?

The only thing I could tell them is persistence and perseverance--if you're talented. I used to think training, training, training. Yes, training is important for those who are talented. Also realize, if you got it, you got it. If you don't, step on out, there is probably another talent you're much better suited for. Your life will be a lot easier if you do that. I come across a lot of people who have got all the drive, love and passion for the acting world but they just don't have the je ne sais quoi. It's a depressing thing for me to have to say because I have always been a firm believer in whatever you strive for you will eventually achieve. But you have to be honest with yourself.

Does it disturb you that now all these people have web sites dedicated to your life?

No, I think it's wonderful. These are the people that come to the movies to support you. This is exactly what I want. That's good business.

Do you ever check out any of the sites?

I checked them out a couple of months before all this happened. I think there was one only site, and it was really badly assembled. They had all the wrong facts--it was really kind of boring [laughs]. Now suddenly, everyone is saying there are a lot of sites about me.

Did you tell that web site creator they messed up?

No, I didn't get around to it. I almost wanted to just to help out. It was probably some young girl. "Malibu Shores" got a lot 13- and 14-year-olds gaga over me. It was a cute web site [laughs]. I kind of felt, "Awww - maybe you want to design it better."

What's the best compliment someone has ever given you on your acting?

[Long pause] I usually remember the criticisms, not the compliments.

So what's the harshest criticism?

The latest thing that comes to mind is a review where someone actually managed to put both myself and my sister down in one sentence. I was more hurt by what they said about my sister than what they said about me. It was something along the lines of, "Christian has none of the few talents that she has, but all of her vices." I was like, "Oh my god, how can this guy do this?" He was dragging the entire family down.

What magazine was this for?

[Pause] You know, I can't even remember.

Maybe it's better that way.

Oh, I think it was LA Weekly. Whatever...who cares?