Making Love: Because it was suggested I watch...

[asphaltcowgrrl]

I watched.

And haldoor, you were right.  It was amazing.

The short version: It was a very sweet, surprising, and groundbreaking movie.  I felt for poor Zach from the beginning until the end.  I can't even imagine the stir this movie caused back in 1982.  Although it seems to get nothing but bad reviews now, for the 80's, this was pretty startling.

The long version (now with pictures!) can be found here, if you're so inclined.

As a side note: in searching the internet for things related to this movie (information, pictures, etc), I found a list of gay-themed movies I now need to watch.  Of the 36 listed, I've seen two: Making Love and The Object of My Affection (because Stephen McCauley folks).  Believe it or not, I still haven't seen Brokeback Mountain (altough, I did finally borrow the novella from the library and cried).  I suppose I ought to start there?

Comments

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

I've seen 12. That surprises me and doesn't surprise me all at once.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

HAH! Any in particular that you'd recommend? :)

[kaige68.livejournal.com]

Priscilla, because.. well just do.
Both Single Man and Bent made me cry excessively (I cry a movies a lot) and were exceptionally well done.
Mysterious Skin was creepy WTF, and I love JGL. While Velvet Goldmine was pretty and Bowie-80's-drug-glam.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thank you! I always like having a starting point.

Mmmm... yeah, I cry at movies a lot. I watched Unconditional one Sunday while baking cookies and my kids found me bawling in the kitchen. Still haven't lived that one down. Damn you, Michael Ealy!

On the flip side, I started watching Ten Inch Hero this morning because of a need to see a pierced, mohawk-wearing Jensen Ackles. And it's been the funniest damn thing I've seen in a long time.

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I'm thrilled that you enjoyed it so much! I really do think it's very much an eighties' movie, but for all that, was very ground-breaking at the time. You mention in your blog how it's not very graphic - one of the things I learned at the time was that the love scenes between Zach & Bart were done on a closed set. Also, Harry Hamlin said it was very bad for his career, but that he was glad he did it (I think). Nowadays you're no one unless you play gay, as an actor, or so it appears! But then, it was a big no-no, deep in the early days of AIDS.

As for the list of gay movies - I have seen 24 of them. I would recommend for the absolute best, Shelter. It is such a great story about a young guy who just happens to find happiness with a man. YES! HAPPINESS! So many gay movies are nowhere near as uplifting, and that's a huge thing I love about it. Also, he has some tough things happening in his young life, and most of them have nothing to do with his sexuality. It's just beautiful.

Oh, and one missing from that list is Big Eden, which is also another rather uplifting story, with sad parts along the way. ;-)

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

Oh God, and Torch Song Trilogy from the list! A definite fave. Plus Priest, Another Country, The Wedding Banquet... ARGH. So many.

[asphaltcowgrrl.livejournal.com]

I absolutely agree with you on that. For the time period it was made, it was really out there concept-wise. I had to make the comment about the graphicness (or lack of) because I know how movies are today and that would turn a lot of people off, know what I mean? But I can imagine just how damaging it was to his career at the time. Now, it's the 'in' thing to do, it seems.

WOW! Thank you for the recs as well, I think I need to get cozy with Netflix (and/or Amazon LOL) here soon! Oh gods, any movie filled with happiness seems to be a rarity these days. Hey - any time you think of something you think I might like, let me know!

[haldoor.livejournal.com]

I definitely will! ;-)