Editorial Review:Amazon.com:Harvey Fierstein had a smash hit on Broadway with the stage version of this story about a drag queen, but whatever the magic there was doesn't show up in this film adaptation. (Fierstein allegedly couldn't line up an A-list or even B-list director in 1988 to tackle the gay story line, so he agreed to work with Paul Bogart, a ubiquitous television director but an undistinguished feature filmmaker.) Fierstein's performance is fine, but likely a shadow of his live work, while Anne Bancroft is very strong in the role of his character's mother. Matthew Broderick went against the tide of fear shared by most Hollywood actors at the time about playing gay characters. The times have certainly changed since then.
--Tom Keogh
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Average Rating:
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And the Torch carries on...
The only thing that saddens me about this movie, aside from the heartbreaking climax of a brutal attack that you must simply see to savor, along with the fact that this priceless artifact never made it to the "Big Screen" was poor advertising.
If this movie had been properly advertised, I would have been PERFECT for it's time, making movies like "Making Love," "Parting Glances", and "'Broke Back Mountain"
Harvey Fierstein wrote, directed, and produced this Broadway adaption of his fine work from the stage, and brought to the big screen, SEAMLESSLY, although Harvey of course, in his adorable self-deprecating humour, denies it all, making his quiet private demeanor a stark contrast to his "Diva" like status as a performer.
It's just no use to even try to explain this movie, for I personally, PERSONALLY believe one must be a young gay male in this country to have been raised from the 50's to the early 70's, when homosexuality was a "sickness" that must be cured.
Shudder...
Don't EVEN get me started on that subject.
Later, I may go and edit this review, as I have many times, but alas, I have other things to do in my nonstop, hectic life. Dog to walk, couch pillows to rotate...you know how it is.
Rating: -
One of the best of the 80s
I can't tell you how much I love Torch Song Trilogy. I can honestly say I love this more than Brokeback Mountain. Now before anyone starts ragging on me, I'll tell you why. Trilogy shows that gay people are just as vulnerable to hurt, joy, and humanity as straight people. Fierstein's character isn't afraid to take on the world even when it is hostile and violent toward him. He displays strength and compassion and never loses his sense of humor, no matter how despairing and bleak it gets. Now don't get me wrong, I love BBM but Arnold Beckoff has strength and resilience in a way that Ennis Del Mar could only dream of. Mountain was a wonderful film but like all major gay love stories it always has to end tragically with the death of one of the characters. Trilogy showed that while Arnold experienced the loss of a loved one, he also fought and gained an old flame who finally came to his senses. It would be nice for mainstream gay themed films to have characters that are unafraid to take on the world and fight for that respect. Instead we get gay characters who are the subjects of ill humor or tragedies that make people think twice about falling in love. I can also add that this is one of the better films of the overblown 1980s (I also believe the 80s was probably one of the worst decades for movies).
Rating: -
wonderful everyday tragedy
I would call this Torch Song Tragedy, which is constituted by the actuality of the subject. In spite of all the time passed it still matches mainstream America's perception of gays.
I saw this movie many years ago and it moved me even today.
Rating: -
Harvey Fierstein - Genius
Ever since seeing him accept the Tony for his adaptation of "La Cage" I have had a tremendous admiration for the sheer creative genius of Harvey Fierstein. But "Torch song Trilogy" has got to be the icing on the cake; the cream on the top of Mt. Everest; the spark that set off Guy Fawlks Day on the 5th of November in London!
And as if the tale wasn't enough, that fantastic narration by Mr. Fierstein at the end of the film was just by far and away the best "special feature" I have ever had the pleasure of hearing! (Normally I avoid listening to a narrative over a movie I have only just watched!!)
And although I think the late and great Anne Bankroft was superb as the mother, I confess I would like to have seen Estelle Getty in the performance extolled by the author.
As a totally "square" viewer of this performance, I would hazzard a guess that in another 50 years or so "Torch Song" will have reached the level of film classics. The death scene of Matthew Broderick in the story was simply devastating!
For sheer entertainment and creative competence, my vote would have to go to Mr. Fierstein.
Rating: -
Come out with a shout
A quadruple all star cast topped off by Anne Bancroft and harvey fierstein. The story about a gay guy, whose Mom loves him, but wishes he wasn't. Harvey Fierstein's performance as gay Arnold gives a performance of a lifetime. He has never been better and will never be better.Being a gay female impersonator in New York confronts him with daily challenges, crisis', brief moments of happiness and loads of grief. This is a down to earth flick that tells the story, I'm a person and I deserve to live too. Once a Broadway play and now a film too good to miss
