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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: Favourite Movie Ever
Review: I will always remember the first time I saw "Parting Glances." It was in an art house theatre in Denver, Colorado that has since been turned into a live music venue. It was within weeks of its release and I was completely in awe as it was the first openly gay film at the time that dealt with the issue of AIDS. Though the disease is central to the plot of the film, it is not overwhelming in its delivery. I remember leaving the theatre and thinking that I had just seen a first of many to come. It is utterly fantastic and it is one of Steve Buscemi's greatest performances, if not one of his first. I truly loved this film and believe anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, will walk away from it glad they had spent the time doing so. AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Remarkable and heart-warming
Review: I will always remember the first time I saw "Parting Glances." It was in an art house theatre in Denver, Colorado that has since been turned into a live music venue. It was within weeks of its release and I was completely in awe as it was the first openly gay film at the time that dealt with the issue of AIDS. Though the disease is central to the plot of the film, it is not overwhelming in its delivery. I remember leaving the theatre and thinking that I had just seen a first of many to come. It is utterly fantastic and it is one of Steve Buscemi's greatest performances, if not one of his first. I truly loved this film and believe anyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, will walk away from it glad they had spent the time doing so. AN ABSOLUTE CLASSIC!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Wonderfully Imperfect & Heartfelt
Review: In the years since it was first released, "Parting Glances" has acquired a loyal following. Few movies dealing in a gay social context are as appealing, unpretentious, or--best of all--as emotionally genuine.

Bill Sherwood's little film doesn't feature any big-name glamorous stars. The most recognizable names are Steve Buscemi (in fact, the spine of the DVD package reads "Steve Buscemi in Parting Glances") and Kathy Kinney, who has become known to millions for her hilarious character on "The Drew Carey Show." Kinney and especially Buscemi are excellent here. But so are most of the other actors. One thing that makes the film work so well is its use of performers who are not all movie-star beautiful. John Bolger plays a character who is supposed to be handsome, and he certainly fits the bill, as does Adam Nathan. But this movie is not just another excuse to display beautiful people. It has at its core an honesty that draws in the viewer and makes him/her feel like part of the proceedings. There is plenty of gentle humor and a few big laughs. There is also one deeply moving scene the sticks in the mind afterward like a revelation about the connection between people. Sherwood was a musician and there are many interesting and creative selections to be heard in the soundtrack. A couple of New York locations are used to good effect as well.

As far as the DVD issue is concerned. There aren't any real complaints. Picture and sound are as good as can be expected of a low-budget, independent film. "Extras" include text-only information about the making of the film. An interview with Buscemi, Kinney or any others would have been good. An irresistably charming and heartfelt film

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Wonderfully Imperfect & Heartfelt
Review: In the years since it was first released, "Parting Glances" has acquired a loyal following. Few movies dealing in a gay social context are as appealing, unpretentious, or--best of all--as emotionally genuine.

Bill Sherwood's little film doesn't feature any big-name glamorous stars. The most recognizable names are Steve Buscemi (in fact, the spine of the DVD package reads "Steve Buscemi in Parting Glances") and Kathy Kinney, who has become known to millions for her hilarious character on "The Drew Carey Show." Kinney and especially Buscemi are excellent here. But so are most of the other actors. One thing that makes the film work so well is its use of performers who are not all movie-star beautiful. John Bolger plays a character who is supposed to be handsome, and he certainly fits the bill, as does Adam Nathan. But this movie is not just another excuse to display beautiful people. It has at its core an honesty that draws in the viewer and makes him/her feel like part of the proceedings. There is plenty of gentle humor and a few big laughs. There is also one deeply moving scene the sticks in the mind afterward like a revelation about the connection between people. Sherwood was a musician and there are many interesting and creative selections to be heard in the soundtrack. A couple of New York locations are used to good effect as well.

As far as the DVD issue is concerned. There aren't any real complaints. Picture and sound are as good as can be expected of a low-budget, independent film. "Extras" include text-only information about the making of the film. An interview with Buscemi, Kinney or any others would have been good. An irresistably charming and heartfelt film

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: This was the first one!
Review: It's talky and writerish, it's New York-centric. Some of the performances are amateurish (especially John Bolger as Robert). But it's also quirky and interesting and touching, and Parting Glances was probably the first movie to address AIDS in a non-patronizing way. Aside from seeing future stars Steve Buscemi and Kathy Kinney in their earliest film performances, you can experience wonderful work from Richard Ganoung. It was a great loss when director Sherwood died of AIDS the year after this film was released. He obviously recognized that there is comic potential in every human situation, no matter how dire. Not for everyone, but what movie is?

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Part glances
Review: Just want to see before making decision to purchas

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a Surprise
Review: Many times when I rent an older gay themed movie I get ready to be hit over the head by a director determined that the world will know their thoughts. Well this film avoided all that in a very pleasing way, considering it was coming out right as the AIDS crises was taking off I found it surprising that the character with AIDS wasn't made out to be dying tragically but was instead almost a comic foil, although there was some anger there. A very interesting choice and it makes me with this filmaker had made more films. Basically the story of a couple of gay men, one is about to leave the country due to work and the other is unhappy about it. The characters are well done and the side characters of Steve Buscemi and the young cute guy infatuated with one of the others are wonderful.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: What a Surprise
Review: Many times when I rent an older gay themed movie I get ready to be hit over the head by a director determined that the world will know their thoughts. Well this film avoided all that in a very pleasing way, considering it was coming out right as the AIDS crises was taking off I found it surprising that the character with AIDS wasn't made out to be dying tragically but was instead almost a comic foil, although there was some anger there. A very interesting choice and it makes me with this filmaker had made more films. Basically the story of a couple of gay men, one is about to leave the country due to work and the other is unhappy about it. The characters are well done and the side characters of Steve Buscemi and the young cute guy infatuated with one of the others are wonderful.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Never to Part with this Treasure
Review: On a whim, I purcahsed this DVD without knowing much about it other than reading some of the reviews on Amazon, and the fact that Richard Ganoung was one of its stars. After receiving my DVD last Friday, I've watched the movie four times already. If that doesn't say alot...

What amazes me about this film is its honesty and realness. Bill Sherwood set out in '86 to create a film to accomplish exactly that. It covers a wide variety of topics, from relationship dynamics, to AIDS, to friendship, in such a way that every moment of this film seems real. The film doesn't seem dated, but timeless. The performances of Richard Ganoung, and Steve Buscemi, are real and frought with undercurrents of love and emotion.

If you are a DVD collector, please consider adding this treasure to your collection.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: "First" film of the AIDS genre that really delivers!
Review: Parting Glances was the first film centering on the AIDS crisis. It is also one of the few "gay"-centric films made that digs deep into what it is like to be gay and not get maudlin with regard to AIDS.

In the years since the AIDS epidemic broke out, we've been privileged to have been provided with a slew of films covering the subject - sadly, they aren't all good.

When Parting Glances was released AIDS hadn't really been covered much...maybe a couple of made for TV movies, but nothing of note on film. Also, Parting Glances was one of but a few "gay films" to get any wide release (Boys in the Band; Cruising; The Gay Deceivers; and Making Love are the only ones that come to mind for me).

Following the narrator through a 24 hour period, this film shows the viewer life from the perspective of a gay man who is comfortable with his sexuality - a feat before never done. As he prepares to leave for Africa, our narrator struggeles with leaving his best friend and former lover, who is dying from AIDS (Steve Buschemi in what I believe was his first film), but the film doesn't get mired down in this.

This film is not a downer.

Not satisfied to tie everything up neatly, the director has wisely chosen to leave the viewer wanting more. It may be disconcerting for those viewers used to simple solutions to complex issues.

Even so....you should see this film.


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