Jeffrey (1996): In & Out writer Paul
Rudnick's adaptation of his play has a recognizable cast (Patrick Stewart
and Wings star Stephen Weber), but refuses to pull any punches when
it comes to gay in-jokes or frank sexuality.Straight shooting or not?
Originally published: Sept. 19, 1997
By Todd Camp
Hollywood is learning that gay is OK. Or more importantly, that gay sells.
But the release this weekend of In & Out with Kevin Kline as an outed teacher proves there are still two types of gay films gay films made for gay audiences and gay films made for straight audiences. For instance:
GAY FOR GAY:
Kiss Me, Guido (1997): This screwball comedy about a hopelessly straight Italian actor who mistakenly moves in with a gay man, gets hoots from its target audience, but the best bits often leave straight folks silent.
Love! Valour! Compassion! (1997): This filmed version of Terrance McNally's Broadway hit certainly attracts some straights (with Seinfeld's Jason Alexander as the best magnet) but the characters never sanitize their behavior, their desires or their dignity.
Jeffrey (1996): In & Out writer Paul
Rudnick's adaptation of his play has a recognizable cast (Patrick Stewart
and Wings star Stephen Weber), but refuses to pull any punches when
it comes to gay in-jokes or frank sexuality.
Lie Down With Dogs (1996): The perfect example of a film too gay for its own good, this remarkably unfunny look at the debaucherous activities on the gay mecca of Fire Island will leave straight viewers confused and probably offended.
The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994): This was the drag film for gays, unflinchingly frank, with unapologetically gay characters who like dressing as women.
GAY FOR STRAIGHT:
The Birdcage (1995): Mike Nichols adaptation of 1978's La Cage aux Folles was a giant hit with straight audiences, so why did gays hate it? Two leads who were sexually sterile walking stereotypes, for starters.
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995): This was the drag movie for straight people, with a one-joke premise of putting two notable action stars (Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes) in dresses. But apart from being vague about whether the leads were gay, it was never even made clear that they were necessarily supposed to be men in drag.
Philadelphia (1993): Tom Hanks' Oscar-winning performance aside, this film's attempt to depict gay lovers without allowing them an ounce of visible affection left gay viewers cold.
Partners (1982): This well-meaning comedy, about a homophobic cop who learns his lesson after playing it gay to catch a killer, managed to obscure its support beneath a mess of offensive stereotypes.
Cruising (1980): Starring Al Pacino as an undercover cop looking for a serial killer who stalks homosexuals, this film enraged the gay community with its violent and stereotypical depiction of the New York bar scene.