"Buddy" Movies
The Boston Globe (http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/gallery/male_bonding/) had an interesting article/ photos triggered by the recent movie, "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry." In it they list a number of pairings that they believe the audience sees as gay. Aside from Highlander (and may-be House), I seldom see slash relationships in movies/ shows. However, I've I think that I have to agree with their selections.
From the Globe
In "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, " Adam Sandler and Kevin James play the title roles, a couple of firefighters who pose as gay so they can get domestic-partner benefits. Also on hand is Jessica Biel as reassurance the guys really are straight.
All right, but what about all the movies in which two male characters who are ostensibly straight really are gay? (The characters, that is, not the actors.) Think of it as "Chuck and Larry" inside out, if not outed. The filmmakers may not know the characters are gay. The actors may not know it either. But the audience does.
There are buddy movies -- and then there are buddy movies.
When Gore Vidal was working on the script of "Ben-Hur, " he claims he suggested a motivation to director William Wyler for Roman officer Messala's ferocious treatment of his old friend, Judah Ben-Hur. Vidal posited that they'd been lovers once, and now Judah spurned Messala. Wyler loved the idea, Vidal says, and they let Boyd in on the secret. No one told Heston, though. The man had played Moses, after all.
From the Globe
In "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, " Adam Sandler and Kevin James play the title roles, a couple of firefighters who pose as gay so they can get domestic-partner benefits. Also on hand is Jessica Biel as reassurance the guys really are straight.
All right, but what about all the movies in which two male characters who are ostensibly straight really are gay? (The characters, that is, not the actors.) Think of it as "Chuck and Larry" inside out, if not outed. The filmmakers may not know the characters are gay. The actors may not know it either. But the audience does.
There are buddy movies -- and then there are buddy movies.
When Gore Vidal was working on the script of "Ben-Hur, " he claims he suggested a motivation to director William Wyler for Roman officer Messala's ferocious treatment of his old friend, Judah Ben-Hur. Vidal posited that they'd been lovers once, and now Judah spurned Messala. Wyler loved the idea, Vidal says, and they let Boyd in on the secret. No one told Heston, though. The man had played Moses, after all.