Torch Song Trilogy

Starring:Anne Bancroft, Matthew Broderick, Harvey Fierstein, Brian Kerwin, Karen Young, Eddie Castrodad, Ken Page, Charles Pierce, Axel Vera, Benji Schulman, Nick Montgomery, Robert Neary, Kim Clark, Stephanie Penn, Geoffrey Harding, Michael Bond, Michael Warga, Phil Sky, Lorry Goldman, Edgar Small
Director: Paul Bogart
Studio: New Line Home Video
Product Type: DVD

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

Description

An on-screen adaptation of the Tony- award-winning play about a Jewish homosexual who, except for a different sexual preference, goes through the same struggles of love, jealousy and self-doubt that affect us all.

Customer Reviews:

Harvey Fierstein - Genius .......2007-06-09

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.

Come out with a shout.......2007-03-09

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

I loved this movie..........2007-01-10

Suffice to say that this movie shows how each of us needs to have connections with others that are supportive and loving, regardless of sexual orientation, age, gender, or sex.

LIKE AGED WINE.......2006-12-19

"TORCH SONG TRILOGY"
Like Aged Wine

Amos Lassen and Cinema Pride

Some of may have noticed that I have departed from my regimen of reviewing new film to go back into the past and relook at more of the memorable films that cleared the path and help us make our way to where we are. Interestingly enough, some of the early "gay" films were made by major Hollywood studios; some of the very same studios that forced their actors to stay in the closet and in some cases would never touch a film with a gay subplot today. One of these films is the heroic "Torch Song Trilogy", the film adaptation of Harvey Fierstein's award winning stage play. Made in 1988, the movie was a major move for Hollywood and for us. The movie follows ten years in the life of Arnold Beckoff, a gay male as he moves through life. Arnold is a female impersonator who dreams of finding Mr. Right, marrying him and raising a child. If you like to laugh and cry in movies then this is f=definitely for you, The director, Paul Bogart, manages to draw out the entire range of emotions in this film and as Arnold mumbles his mantra, "There's nothing I need from anyone except love and respect". We want to cheer him on. To cheer him is to cheer ourselves and that is what this movie is all about--finding out where we fit in the scheme of things.
Arnold Beckoff is the main character and it is the study of his character upon what the film focuses. This is a wonderful movie but it could have been even more wonderful. The gay characters are mostly stereotypical and are portrayed as very promiscuous. Time also moves through the movie very quickly. But many instances in the movie do ring true mainly because of the performance of Fierstein.
Here is a movie that is packed with good intentions and has a great deal going for it especially due to the brilliant portrayal of Arnold by Fierstein. As" Virginia Hamm", the drag persona, he is brilliant. We see how Virginia/Arnold has dealt with and deal with the obstacles of life. Giving a wonderful performance as Arnold's mother is the late Anne Bancroft and in cameo roles are some of the most famous gay models around.
This is a solid movie and will keep you laughing you watch Fierstein's "Doris Day with a dick".

Poignant and moving story. It's also a comedy. Really fine film........2006-10-25

Writen by and starring Harvey Fierstein, this 1988 film was adapted from the stage play. It's set in the New York world of gays in the 1970s, before AIDS. But even then, life was certainly not bliss for Harvey Fierstein. From early childhood Harvey knew he was different. As an adult, he works as a feminine impersonator and has accepted himself, but every day he has to confront his gayness. He uses humor to cover up his hurts and that's why this film can be considered a comedy as well as a drama. But even though I laughed out loud at certain points, it is still a poignant and moving story of an individual's search for love and respect.

There are two men in Harvey's life. One is Ed, a bisexual who can't quite come to terms with living as a gay man. He actually gets married and Harvey and the new "love of his life", Alan, played by Mathew Broderick are invited for a visit. Naturally there are complications. But the two men resolve them, move to a new apartment and make plans to adopt a 15-year old gay boy. It's then that tragedy strikes and Alan is viciously murdered.

The most important relationship, however, is Harvey's relationship with his mother, played by Ann Brancroft. She's supposed to be Jewish with all the Jewish stereotypical expressions. Sorry, but I didn't get it. She comes across as a caricature rather than a real person. And, had she played the role better, I might even have had a small amount of sympathy for her. This didn't happen. All I did was be amused as she tried to act Jewish. It's a good role. It just needed a better actress.

With the exception of Ann Bankcroft's acting, I really liked this film. Harvey Fierstein is outstanding and it clear that the role comes straight from his heart. The rest of the cast did a good job and the cinematography was good. As a side note, part of this movie was filmed across the street from where I live. I even remember when they were filming it. It depicts the neighborhood as a dangerous one. That is not true at all. But, after all, this is the movies.

I definitely recommend Torch Song Trilogy and give it a high recommendation. It depicts a time and a place in the world of gay men that has unfortunately ended when AIDS came on the scene. I just wish that the casting would have been better for the mother's role.

Average customer rating:

Harvey Fierstein - Genius
Come out with a shout
I loved this movie...
LIKE AGED WINE
Poignant and moving story. It's also a comedy. Really fine film.

Torch Song Trilogy
Starring: Anne Bancroft , Matthew Broderick , Harvey Fierstein , Brian Kerwin , and Karen Young
Director: Paul Bogart
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

Longtime Companion
Love! Valour! Compassion!
Jeffrey
The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Extra Frills Edition)
Latter Days (Unrated Edition)

ASIN: B0001OKTI8

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Harvey Fierstein - Genius .......2007-06-09

Come out with a shout.......2007-03-09

I loved this movie..........2007-01-10

Suffice to say that this movie shows how each of us needs to have connections with others that are supportive and loving, regardless of sexual orientation, age, gender, or sex.

LIKE AGED WINE.......2006-12-19

Poignant and moving story. It's also a comedy. Really fine film........2006-10-25

DVD:

DVD List

DVD

DVD

Muhammad Ali - The Whole Story

Alexis Korner and Friends : DVD

Hometown USA

DVD: A Better Way to Die

Ma.Gr.Ig.Al. plus One - Carmen Suite