"Torch Song Trilogy" is a comedy/drama about Arnold Beckoff (Harvey Fierstein), a middle-aged gay man in NYC who works as a drag queen singing torch songs in an amusing husky voice. Part 1: "The International Stud" is set in 1971. Arnold meets Ed Reese (Brian Kerwin) and they fall in love. Ed, however, is uncomfortable with his bisexuality. He leaves Arnold for a girlfriend, whom he subsequently marries. His wife knows everything and is very open-minded about it all. Part 2: "Fugue in a Nursery" begins at Christmas 1973, when Arnold meets the love of his life, Alan Simon (Mathew Broderick), a model. They settle down together, later spending a weekend with Ed and his wife, where their relationship is tested but endures. The cute young ex-hustler's attraction to Ed is improbable and unrealistic. Eventually, they arrange to adopt a child together. At the end of the act, however, Alan is killed in a vicious homophobic attack. Part 3: "Widows and Children First!" is set in the spring of 1980. Arnold's mother (Anne Bancroft) comes to visit from Florida and verbally disapproves of Arnold's homosexuality and adoption of a gay teenage son David (Eddie Castrodad). She also hates Arnold's use of the family burial plot for Alan, they have a series of stormy arguments, and Arnold demands that she respect him for who he is. Arnold is very secure with his sexuality, but hurt when she tells him she wishes he had never been born. The following morning before she returns to Florida, they have a conversation, and for the first time they seem to understand each other.
This film was adapted by gay Harvey Fierstein from his play of the same title. The movie was directed by Paul Bogart, and was restricted to a running time of two hours at the insistence New Line Cinema, necessitating much editing and excisions. The time frame was regressed to a decade earlier than the play. Gay characters are mostly stereotypical, all of them are portrayed as promiscuous, and time rushes too fast throughout the film. Many of the plot points are easily predicted, especially the fate of Alan, which is telegraphed well in advance. However, it's a very good movie, with great performances, full of good intentions, with many rave reviews.
This film was adapted by gay Harvey Fierstein from his play of the same title. The movie was directed by Paul Bogart, and was restricted to a running time of two hours at the insistence New Line Cinema, necessitating much editing and excisions. The time frame was regressed to a decade earlier than the play. Gay characters are mostly stereotypical, all of them are portrayed as promiscuous, and time rushes too fast throughout the film. Many of the plot points are easily predicted, especially the fate of Alan, which is telegraphed well in advance. However, it's a very good movie, with great performances, full of good intentions, with many rave reviews.
