The likelihood of a decent lesbian or gay film ever playing at the multiplexes in the Berkshires is a million to one. But let a bad gay exploitation movie be offered and every screen within a hundred mies will show it. Go figure.
Supposedly those of us who are made uncomfortable by Brüno’s extravagant incarnation of a silly, retrograde stereotype of gayness are supposed to be relieved and amused to see the panic and confusion he causes in others.
But my question is this: does the movie send up stereotypes or perpetuate them?
Seeing this film in the midst of a straight audience - with all its over the top posing, camping and flouncing - might bring back memories or bum you out, possibly both. If you go, please share your take on the film, and the reaction of those around you in the theatre. This could be instructive.
I am here to rave about Stephen Elliott's Easy Vitue, a sparkling movie that recalls his fizzy style that made his 1994 film, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert so hilarious. The new film is based on a 1924 Noel Coward play that attacks the hypocrisy, smugness and high brow values of the English landed gentry wen they meet a down to earth American woman. But it won't be playing around here.
If you love films that have sly humor, clever characters and reflect a more subtle and meaningful view of life, well, put this film in your queue on Netflix. We can also hope that it might eventually play the Images Theatre in Williamstown or, even less likely, the Triplex in Great Barrington. You know it will never be at the Berkshire Mall or North Adams Multiplex. Popular taste can be so stultifying.
Yes, I am perturbed that there is little likelihood of seeing Easy Virtue - which opens in New York this week - on a Big Berkshire Screen. First we really don't have any big screens in daily use, though thank goodness for the Colonial and Mahaiwe theatres when they do show films. And second, the cinema fare around here is abysmal, playing the commercial Hollywood fare in little dark boxes that are not even soundproofed. All too often we can hear two movies at once.
If you enjoy all those bang-bang-boom! movies that pass for entertainment, head for the multiplex this weekend. There is a new Terminator out that is destined to be a Dolby Digital sound test, and our local movie places will fail it miserably. Still, I am sure it will attract quite a big audience.
Instead, my friend Gail and I will tavel away from the Berkshires tonight to Cambridge, NY to see Noel Coward's Present Laughter done by the modest but talented company that keeps Hubbard Hall busy and inviting. Then tomorrow we will head south to Stockbridge and the Berkshire Theatre Festival to see Faith Healer, and Sunday to Pittsfield's Barrington Stage to enjoy Poolside at the Hotel Bel Air. Thank god for live theatre which remembers that the human mind is a terrible thing to waste.
This blog is yours as much as mine. Working on an event of interest to the LGBTQ community? Let us know using the contact address below. Have something to add to one of our entries? Use the comment link that follows each item. We remove spam and hate comments before you see them, but otherwise moderation is minimal.
50 years in the arts and entertainment industry. A member of GLECA, the Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association. Much to the chagrin of his late father, he has spent his life in the arts instead of the lifetime civil service job his parents wanted him to take.
Working for small theater companies taught him to be frugal, while time at larger institutions such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Ballet made him an expert on the inside workings of the nonprofit arts field.
During his long working life, he drew experience and paychecks from Warner Brothers, Universal International, Sweetheart Plastics, TDF, Arts Boston and many other companies.
He says: "Today I admire creative artists more than ever. They give meaning to life."
No actual gay guy would ever have made this film.
