Mjeteconer
Just perfect...
Aubrey Hackett
While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.
Keeley Coleman
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
MartinHafer
Back when "Torch Song Trilogy" came out in 1988, acceptance of gay folks was far different than today...so much so that I am shocked the film was made in the first place. However, just because a lot of straight folks didn't go see the film when it was in the theaters does not mean you can't give the film a try now.The film is based on Harvey Fierstein's one act plays...with three of them strung together to help create a portrait of many of the issues gay men have to deal with day to day. Among the many interesting issues in the film are his dealing with a bi-sexual lover who hasn't really come to terms with his attraction to other men, the loss of his lover and life partner due to a hate crime as well as his god-awful mother. This final issue creates the best moments for me and it was mostly later in the film. His mother claims to love and accept him but she is also full of snide comments, put-downs and hate...and hearing Arnold (Harvey Fierstein) finally exploding at her was magnificent. You can't help but be affected by these brutally honest scenes with the mother (Anne Bancroft)...and it is universal.Overall, a very engaging and moving film...one of the better ones of the era...and a film, sadly, probably not seen by many straight viewers.
johnmaclean69
It comes as a shock to any grown man to cry at a film.There, I've said it. I cried, and quite openly - when I saw this at a local cinema, and later when I got given a video tape (they used to be THE thing before DVD's)...Sad thing is that the woman who gave the vid to me had spoken to me in the queue in store...I had expressed my love for the film, she confessed that she was dying.Two months later, she popped the vid into my work.I had no contact with her, which made the film even more poignant. I wish I know what has gone on with her life...I have it on DVD now, hell I may even watch it tomorrow - and yes, I will cry, and laugh too, in equal measure.Harvey Fierstein and Ann Bancroft - why would you not watch this? F
FabienMorisset
Watching Torch song trilogy on DVD was such an incredible experience. I had seen it as a teenager (being now 34). It had helped me get through my homosexuality. Showing ways and means of understanding life within a minority. Years after, I had found the original score which i have adored since then. To talk about the movie itself, the first half an hour was a bit old (apart from the second scene which is still so moving from the very start), but as soon as you get the hang of it, you can only let yourself be dragged by the amazing talent of the actors. The montage is perfect and so is everything in this eternal jewel. Watch it once and you'll want to watch it forever and ever.
ijonesiii
EThe film version of Harvey Fierstein's own play TORCH SONG TRILOGY is an entertaining comedy which, though stretches credibility, remains a watchable motion picture for those who are comfortable watching films dealing with gays and gay issues. The movie is the story of a drag queen named Arnold and how he deals with life offstage through relationships with men and with his overbearing mother (the fabulous Anne Bancroft). As much as I admire Fierstein as a writer and performer, he seems to be suffering that Woody Allen syndrome where he has a rather distorted view of his own sexual attractiveness. Not to be cruel, but I found it hard to swallow that guys who looked like Brian Kerwin and Matthew Broderick would be attracted to a guy who looked like Harvey Fierstein, but if you can accept that, the film is imminently watchable with strong performances from Kerwin, Broderick, Bancroft, and Eddie Castrodad as David, a gay teen that Arnold adopts. Broderick played David in the original production of the play, but in the movie he plays Harvey's lover. An entertaining film with a unique story, a couple of disturbing messages, and some very good performances.
