Movies: Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
I spent most of today in bed not because I was sick or anything but just because I could. I had nothing to do and nowhere to be. I haven't been able to stay in bed all day since... probably since I was a student. It was great!
Now, movie recs...
I finally got to see Torch Song Trilogy. It's a movie I've wanted to see for years but never had the chance. Well I sat down last night to finally watch it and it was brilliant! It's about Arnold Beckoff (played by Harvey Fierstein with his very distinctive voice) a gay jewish drag queen living in New York and trying to find love and respect in the world around him. I had wondered how the movie would stand up considering it was made in 1988 but it is both a testament to the honesty of the movie and how little our world has changed that the movie not only made me laugh out loud but also had me in tears.
I think what makes the movie is that it is about one person and their story. Yes, it deals with the greater issues of homophobia or gay stereotyping but it does it through Arnold's life and family. It makes it personal to him and in doing so it speaks about all gay people. The scenes between Harvey Fierstein and Anne Bancroft (who plays his mother) were particularly poignant and difficult to watch. They shout and scream at each other and while I can't help empathising with Arnold and how difficult the relationship is, I think the film also raised an important point about how, as gay people, we often cut people out of our lives because we don't share our lives with them.
Seriously brilliant movie. You all need to see it.
ETA: Everyone also needs to check out Fat Rants by Joy Nash posted over at themollyedge's journal. Just... Amazing!
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