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Parting Glances

Parting Glances

List Price: $29.95
Your Price: $26.96
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A film to cherish
Review: "Parting Glances" was introduced to me by a filmmaker friend. I agree it's the best gay film ever made, the best AIDs film ever made, and tremendously touching at many levels. Whenever I watch it I think of my own life when I first saw it. Since that time I've lost my lover, his Dad, my Dad, my Mom, my best friend and virtually everyone who comprised my family. I, who never dreamt I'd be alone and never wanted to be alone, have known a lot of parting glances. Don't know where the filmmaker friend is now, but he parted too (I hope, at least, he's still making films). It's the same story so many people can tell. At least I/we have the movie.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A film to cherish
Review: "Parting Glances" was introduced to me by a filmmaker friend. I agree it's the best gay film ever made, the best AIDs film ever made, and tremendously touching at many levels. Whenever I watch it I think of my own life when I first saw it. Since that time I've lost my lover, his Dad, my Dad, my Mom, my best friend and virtually everyone who comprised my family. I, who never dreamt I'd be alone and never wanted to be alone, have known a lot of parting glances. Don't know where the filmmaker friend is now, but he parted too (I hope, at least, he's still making films). It's the same story so many people can tell. At least I/we have the movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Q: What do you call 1000 closeted Hollywood execs ...
Review: ...at the bottom of the ocean? A: A good start.

I gave this movie four stars partly because I think five stars should be saved for really amazing, original, breathtaking movies -- something like Heathers or Being John Malkovich. There are, in my opinion, weaknesses in the script and production (the Fire Island prank at the end needs work, for instance), which hurt the movie as a whole.

But that doesn't mean I don't love Parting Glances, it's still one of my favorite movies, and holds up very well under re-watching. I suspect that most people who feel about a movie the way I feel about this one would rate it 5 stars, so take it that way if you wish.

I don't see this film as being about a breakup, but it's ambiguous enough that it could be, so I won't quibble. But I must disagree with folks who say how nice it would be if Sherwood had only lived long enough to make another movie. He had the time, but couldn't raise the money. I remember reading an interview with him somewhere, in which he told of getting calls from closeted Hollywood personnel who admired the film and were willing to throw him some closeted work - which he wasn't willing to do. If he didn't make another movie, it's as much because of the cowardice of the movie business (hence the joke I borrow from Demme's cowardly Philadelphia) as because of Sherwood's untimely death.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A word about 'Parting Glances' Format...
Review:
A fantastic portrait of gay NYC life in the late 80's, and a timeless testament to the strength of friendship and allure of New York City.

My only gripe? It's not letterboxed. Does anyone know why?

Besides that, it's a good clean image of an uplifting and inspired film. I was pretty young when I first saw this on cable in the eighties, and it had a profound influence on my life then. I decided that I wanted to live my life the way the characters in this film did. And you know what? I'm thirty four now and I AM living life much like they do in this film.

Now that's inspired filmmaking!

Steve Buscemi is a marvel, in one of his first film roles. The soundtrack by Bronski Beat still thrills. And New York looks mighty fine. Oh, and the men are none too shabby in the looks department either.

Check it out.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A word about 'Parting Glances' Format...
Review:
A fantastic portrait of gay NYC life in the late 80's, and a timeless testament to the strength of friendship and allure of New York City.

My only gripe? It's not letterboxed. Does anyone know why?

Besides that, it's a good clean image of an uplifting and inspired film. I was pretty young when I first saw this on cable in the eighties, and it had a profound influence on my life then. I decided that I wanted to live my life the way the characters in this film did. And you know what? I'm thirty four now and I AM living life much like they do in this film.

Now that's inspired filmmaking!

Steve Buscemi is a marvel, in one of his first film roles. The soundtrack by Bronski Beat still thrills. And New York looks mighty fine. Oh, and the men are none too shabby in the looks department either.

Check it out.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Extraordinary Film
Review: An extraordinary film on all levels. It is an insightful experience for straights into what it is like to be gay -- but just as importantly, a thought-provoking look at relationships between people, regardless of sexual persuasion. All three lead actors were excellent. Steve Buscemi had the role with the most meat, and sparkled. But Richard Ganoung and John Bolger, as two just-regular-guy types were great as well. I can't agree with one reviewer who criticized Bolger's performance, and neither can several gay male friends, who appreciated his spontaneous, accurate portrayal (particularly impressive, as Bolger is heterosexual). In fact, it's those two regular guys and their situation that makes it easy for straights to appreciate this as a relationship flick. Different from Love Valour Compassion, but equally good. Definitely a must see for any thoughtful human being.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: No More True a Tale
Review: Having first viewed this movie in the late 1980's, and worn out my tape since, the story never fades. There are some glaring exaples of the sweeping changes that were still to come. Yet in this film we see a story of unflinching courage. Courage to to live, to embrace those around us and most of all to love without limits. One could only wonder what other gifts Bill Sherwood would have given us had he not been lost to AIDS

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I have read the reviews on Amazon.com and most of us are in agreement. Readers, don't just take my word for it that this movie is a must have. Read on and see what the other Amazon viewers have to say. I did notice an omission in the reviews so I wanted to add a tidbit of trivia. This will be of interest to those who watch Daytime Drama (or soap operas, if you prefer). This movie also has another star for the fans of daytime television. Do you recognize John Bolger? That's right! Now a soap opera star. His current role (as of August 2000) is Detective John Sykes on the ABC daytime drama "One Life To Live." I just thought this needed to be pointed out. Read on for more in depth reviews of this movie....

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful and Real
Review: I saw this film first in 1986 and to date no other gay film has surpassed it. The characters are the most realistic I've seen in a gay film. The realism, I think, comes from the honesty with which the gay characters are written and acted. These are multi-dimensional folks with real life to deal with. It is never melodramatic, sometimes funny, and often moving. So many newer gay films are filled with a bunch of stereotypes or hunky dolts who do nothing but drink, drug, dance, and trick.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful and Real
Review: I saw this film first in 1986 and to date no other gay film has surpassed it. The characters are the most realistic I've seen in a gay film. The realism, I think, comes from the honesty with which the gay characters are written and acted. These are multi-dimensional folks with real life to deal with. It is never melodramatic, sometimes funny, and often moving. So many newer gay films are filled with a bunch of stereotypes or hunky dolts who do nothing but drink, drug, dance, and trick.


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