My Top Ten Queer Films
Mar 19 '03 (Updated Mar 24 '03)
The Bottom Line You don't have to take my word for it, but if these movies affected me, they just might be good choices for you!
It's my Epinions coming out party, and you're invited! Whoohoo! Whoopee, yay!
I came out of the closet about three and a half years ago, when I was a freshman in college. Since realizing that there were many more people out there like me, I have also realized that it's okay to want to see mirror images of my life through film. If there is such a thing, "queer cinema" is a fairly new concept, and so the pickings are slim. Of course, as one of my ten choices will tell you, there have been homosexual themes throughout cinematic history, but it is only recently that there have been movies that you could classify as "gay movies." So yes! I'm here, I'm queer, and let's talk about queer movies! Hurrah! yeah!
Okay, now that we've celebrated, let me tell you what a "Queer Film" is to me. It's got to be about gay or lesbian people. That's the superficial explanation, of course. Other than that, to make my list, they've got to be important in some way. Of course this is highly subjective, so this means it could be important to the gay community as a whole, or just me, or both. Being a gay man, there will be more movies about men on this list than women. I think that there are more in general anyway, but that's neither here nor there.
Go Fish
This movie is very interesting, and I suppose it is the only "lesbian" movie on my list. Of course, can you blame me for being more drawn to movies about gay men, than gay women? Whatever, the point is, this is a good movie, and an important one. It is one of the first titles uttered when lesbian themed movies are discussed. It's indie filmmaking to the extreme, and had no budget at all. This movie manages to be romantic, and the same time address a myriad of issues involving sexuality and what it means to be a lesbian. The relationship between the reluctant pair of Ely and Max is genuinely endearing, and it makes you so happy for both of them. Random trivia: Gwen Turner, who starred in, and helped write this film has a bit part in Kevin Smith's little film about sexuality, Chasing Amy. Favorite moment: The poignant "trial" sequence when Daria sleeps with one of her (gasp!) male friends, and faces the dreaded "lesbian inquisition."
Beautiful Thing
I took a chance when I was still at home, and not out to my parents, and rented this movie. I first thought it to be a very depressing, cold movie. In the long run though, I realized that this was a great movie, and I was glad that I saw it. It is almost shockingly honest, because the people surrounding the two young men (Ste, and Jamie) in their lives, don't cut them an inch of slack when it comes to sexuality. They are left to fend for themselves. In the end, it is a story of true love... very refreshing for the times. Mamma Cass's "Make Your Own Kind of Music" is too perfect for words in the movie's most romantic scene of the two kissing. Favorite moment: Anything with Leah, the neighbor, who is obsessed about... you guessed it, Mamma Cass!
The Boys in the Band
Talk about depressing!! This movie is the pinnacle of depressing gay cinema. Self-loathing runs rampant in this story of a party thrown at main character Michael's apartment. It is entirely intentional however, and is all the more honest for it. If it were completely hunky-dory, I don't think that it would be an accurate portrayal of gay people in the sixties, or early seventies. Stereotypes abound, but I imagine that stereotypes were truly more plentiful back then. As a community, we were not comfortable enough to get away from our stereotypes yet. So, we reveled in them. (I'm using the term "we" very loosely, since I was born in 1981.) Did I mention that this movie came out in 1970? It is without question, the first "queer film," by my definition at least. All gay characters, with one token straight man that gets berated worse than a white guy in the audience at Def Comedy Jam. These characters are completely catty, stereotypical, b*tchy and hateful, and I absolutely love it! If you are easily depressed, and have sexuality issues, don't see this movie! I love to wallow in misery every once in awhile, and the comments back and forth can be hilarious! This is an extremely important film, and paved the way for many films with gay characters in the future. I'm at a loss for my favorite moment, mostly because our stupid Blockbuster Video got rid of their copy, and I couldn't watch it to refresh my memory.
Trick
This film has a huge heart, and even though it probably is overrated, I decided to include it, because I think it really is a great example of a queer film done right. It is hilarious, with good performances. Some people lament that Tori Spelling is in this film. The fact remains, she's good in this movie! She's a loud, obnoxious, "hag" type character, who is completely irresistible. She (Catherine) is the best friend of Gabriel, who meets go-go boy Mark at the gay bar. The meat of the movie is the two men trying to find a place to have sex. Don't worry though, they find love along the way. The characters don't strike me as stereotypical, though you certainly could take it that way. Besides, when you've known as many gay men as I have, you know that stereotypes happen. The point is, while being funny, the movie gets you involved at the same time. Plus, Mark is beautiful. ;) Favorite moment: "I'm not a lesbian, I don't want to move to New Jersey, and... where's the cheese?!! Where's the cheese on these g*dd*mn f*cking fries??!!!"
Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss
This stars Sean Hayes of Will and Grace fame as Billy. He is a photographer that is smitten with Gabriel (yes, another one), but can't figure out if he's gay or not! This frustration is one that I think every gay man can sympathize with. This film is hilarious and has several scenes with an eccentric drag queen lip-synching. Meredith Scott Lynn is great fun as Georgiana, Billy's best friend. This film has great spirit, and you will no doubt see yourself as Billy. Favorite moment: "She calls herself Georgeena..." You'll know when you see it.
Edge of Seventeen
This movie is about Eric, a gay boy of seventeen, growing up in the early eighties. I think this movie has gotten a bad rap from a couple of epinion members. As Eric is discovering himself, he really has just a few sexual experiences, and is not promiscuous as others have thought. He also mentions condoms whenever they are appropriate. Just my little case for defending this movie. A bright spot in this film is the beautiful Tina Holmes as Maggie, Eric's best friend who mistakenly thinks that he is interested in her. Comedian Lea DeLaria is Eric's older lesbian friend Angie, who provides most of the spirit for this film. This movie is very emotional, especially the scene where Eric comes out to his mother. This scene is almost exactly how it happened with my mom, so it never fails to bring tears. Plenty of sexual content, (only honest for this type of coming of age tale) this movie is an accurate portrayal of the eighties, and a film sure to capture your heart. Favorite moment: Eric to Angie "I just thought if I came out, everything would get easier." Silence... then hysterical laughter from both.
Love! Valour! Compassion!
A Boys in the Band for the nineties. This movie is about a group of eight gay men that get together at the lakeside home of Gregory. This film is perhaps too mushy for some, but I just can't resist it. Jason Alexander glows in his role of the tragic character, Buzz. John Glover plays twins in this movie, and is absolutely fantastic! Another tearjerker, this film actually makes you fall in love with the characters, the polar opposite of Boys in the Band, where you hate everyone by the end. Don't get me wrong, they can get bitter, but they always acknowledge when they are being catty queens. :) Favorite moment: "That?! You are referring to my body as 'that?!!'"
The Living End
This is intense filmmaking by director Greg Araki. This involves two men infected with AIDS that are extremely bitter about it. One of them, Luke, is also very violent. He and John go on a tour of the country after Luke kills a police officer. Believe me, this film cuts to the chase. There is no shortage of anger from the two men about their situation. This movie is not for the faint of heart. Lots of sex, lots of violence... but heck, we needed something so radical in the world of gay cinema. You have to break the rules sometimes, right? Favorite moment: The really fake murder scene towards the beginning of the movie. It doesn't even try to look realistic. Hilarious!
The Celluloid Closet
This movie discusses homosexual themes throughout film history. The documentary starts at the very beginning, with homosexuality being used as a surefire comedic tool. Suggest that someone is gay, and get a laugh. It quickly gets more serious, with gay people becoming tragic victims, and even villianized as victimizers! Rare moments of truth, (that got past the MPAA, of course) are extremely touching. The people interviewed for this film are all influential filmmakers, writers and actors. Whoopie Goldberg, Susan Sarandon, Tony Curtis and Tom Hanks are some of the actors that come to mind. It's exhaustive in the number of examples it produces, and never ceases to be completely riveting. This film is somewhat dated, as most of the movies discussed are before the early nineties. I want a Celluloid Closet Two, in which the movies of the past ten years are discussed! Favorite moments: Discussions of beloved classic movies such as Spartacus, Rebel Without a Cause, Ben Hur, and The Maltese Falcon. If I had suggested to my mother that there was gay subtext in her all-time favorite film, Rebecca, she'd have been very upset.
Philadelphia
This movie made me cry more than any other movie I have ever seen. A complete tragedy, this film addresses important issues. Out of all the movies on my list, it is the one that got the most recognition, with Tom Hanks even getting an Oscar for his role. Not only about AIDS discrimination, it is also about homophobia. Denzel Washington does a great job as a homophobe that changes his mind. Tom Hanks and Antonio Banderas are wonderfully non-stereotypical as a couple. Many times this film hits the nail on the head as far as many issues facing gay people. Though a woman on The Celluloid Closet says this movie doesn't prove anything, because Tom Hanks's character ultimately is a tragic figure, I think she is wrong. Though he dies, he is a heroic figure, standing up for his rights, and winning! Favorite moment: Tom Hanks listening to opera.
There you have it, my list. It's not based on historical significance per se. It's the films that stick out the most in my mind when I think of gay movies.
Any good video store would have these movies, but the ones that are banished to obscurity and you may have to find online are: Boys in the Band, The Living End, Edge of Seventeen, and as horrible as it is, my video store did not even have Beautiful Thing!!!.
Honorable mention:
Get Real, Chasing Amy, Stonewall, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Longtime Companion, Nico and Dani, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Jeffery, Object of My Affection, Better than Chocolate, Boys Don't Cry and It's My Party.
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Epinions.com ID:
musicmitigator
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Member: Chris
Location: Iowa... yes, Iowa
Reviews written: 19
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me:
Striving to make an artform of appreciating other people's art.
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