Top Ten Favorite Gay Movies*
By Nick Archer
These are my favorite gay-themed movies and the list changes from time to time. You’ll notice that most of these films are low-budget independent movies. My guess is that even here in the new millennium the major studios still consider movies with a gay theme to be box office poison or have a limited appeal. Still, it’s difficult to tell them apart
1. Big Eden (2001) A low-budget indie film that doesn’t look it. Even the casual observer can see that everyone involved put forth his or her best efforts. Totally charming and disarming. Characterizations are so strong you’ll find yourself pulling for Henry. Suspend your disbelief about life in small towns and rural America and you’ll have fun.
2. Brokeback Mountain (2005) Beneath all the controversy is a superbly crafted love story. Moving and very, very romantic. It’s gotta be every gay man’s wet dream to see Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger kiss. I coulda done without the tittie shots but I guess they had to do that to get the straight boyfriends in the seats.
3. Latter Days (2001) What would happen if a Mormon missionary and an LA partyboy fell in love? This little indie film with a strong storyline and excellent performances tries to answer this question. Latter Days puts a fresh spin on the oldest plotline on the face of the earth; lovers from two worlds. (Think: Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story, and on and on.) Hilarious opening scene. There are some laugh-out-loud funny lines, too.
4. Maurice (1987) Can you say romantic? Let’s not forget the lush sets and costumes and lovely music. A Merchant-Ivory production that lags in places but ultimately as satisfying as a fine meal.
5. Crying Game (1992) No wonder, in my mind at least, why this film was nominated for several Oscars. (It won for Best Screenplay.) Dreamlike and surreal in parts, it never ceases to surprise.
6. Torch Song Trilogy (1987) Harvey Fierstein turned his own play into this film and does a fine job as the main character. It’s a tragicomic exploration of some basic questions about being gay, acceptance and the meaning of family. Ann Bancroft is outstanding.
7. Times of Harvey Milk (1984) Won an Oscar for Best Documentary and with good reason. It’s more moving than any fictional story.
8. Beautiful Thing (1996) A decade later, still the quintessential coming-out, coming of age gay movie. The heavy English accents are tough to decipher in places and we Yanks could use a glossary. Too bad Americans haven’t done anything this good. John Hughes, pick up the lavender courtesy phone.
9. Camp (2004) Another low budget indie film, it’s essentially a the story of a love triangle set at a summer camp for the performing arts. The young, unknown cast produces amazing performances. My only quibble - they missed the plot element of the last day of camp. As a former camp counselor of several summers, the last day of camp is the redeeming moment of the summer. No matter how you argued and fought over the last eight weeks, all is forgiven in a teary good-bye.
10. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994) Aussie movie with some screamingly funny lines. ("Now you’re fucked!") The mom just giving her son over to her gay transvestite husband stretches believability to the limit but one can overlook this.
Honorable Mentions:
In & Out (1997) Marred by a totally unbelievable ending and the illegal firing of a gay teacher, there are still some funny, funny scenes. Kevin Kline dancing to the "How to be Straight" tape comes to mind - and he moves like a gay man too. Another scene that cracks me up is when his principal, played by Bob Newhart, confronts him.
It’s My Party (1996) More cameos than you can shake a stick at. It’s a little too sad and depressing for my tastes but still entertaining. Is that really Christopher Atkins with dreadlocks?
Billy Elliot (2001) Not a technically gay movie but there is a gay subplot with Billy’s best friend being in love with him. Uplifting and inspirational story about following your dreams. The boy who plays Billy is quite the dancer - and very cute.
Prom Queen (2004) Canadian made-for-TV story about a boy who sues his high school to take his boyfriend to prom. Based on a real story. Has the feel of an ABC Afternoon Special but still fun.
Edge of Seventeen (1998) Very good coming-out/coming-of-age story. Does a good job of capturing teenage angst during the decade of the Eighties. Still, there are some problems. It ends with a few too many dangling thread plots. I think it’s a shame that he uses his best female friend to satisfy his curiosity about straight sex. And how the hell does he get into all the clubs? Just look at the title; he’s underage! This film made me a fan of Lea DeLaria.