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Parting Glances

Parting Glances

List Price: $29.95
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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.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful, compelling, compassionate, witty and wise
Review: Probably the best gay theme movie I've ever seen, if not one of the best movies I've ever seen. It feels like the companion piece to Andrew Holleran's novel, "Dancer From The Dance"... a must read. The characters are realistic, the situation is simultaneously realistic and poetic, giving the film its combination of poignancy and euphoric rush. To the straight viewer, if you want an insight into the gay mind space, and the sadness of AIDS, whilst affirming life, this is the movie. SEE IT!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: THE BEST GAY FILM EVER.
Review: Sometimes I wish that not every gay film had AIDS in it. But this film is different. First it isn't about AIDS and 2nd, it was in 1986 and had to be at least dealt with. Very involving and sexy story that had an early performance from "drew carey's 'mimi'" and Steve Buscimi and a great mood for a film. Go through the trouble to find it, it's really all we seem to have.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Wonderful look at the importance of relationships.
Review: The universal look at relationships is set here with the main character realizing the place each person holds in his life, whether it is his lover of many years, his best friend who has AIDS, or his menagerie of friends. A fun, thought-provoking movie that while set in the late 80's, still has a real message about love, friendship, and commitment.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: unknown, one of the most perfect films ever made
Review: This humble flick is structured like a string quartet -- in fact, Sherwood's production company was called Rondo, and the film uses the musical metaphor throughout. Crisp performances, a fast and witty script, remarkable and agile pacing, a brilliant party scene that forms the structural center -- this is probably one of the most perfect small films ever made, one that deals with AIDS without the garish sentimentality of Philadelphia or Love, Valor, Compassion. Steve Buscemi is super as the wise cracking Nick in his first film role. Never have I seen a more skilled balance of humor and seriousness, served seemingly without effort in the guise of a light comedy. Every filmmaker should see this.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Favourite Movie Ever
Review: This is my all time favourite movie. Its the first gay movie I ever saw thatreally didnt have a in ya face thing about being gay, its just that all the characters are.
It made me laugh, cry and feel romantic all at the same time.
you just gotta have this one in your collection.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A film I can relate to!
Review: This isn't a masterpiece but it's a favourite and one I have watched many times, so it gets five stars in my world. It's great to read other reviews praising this film. I really thought I was alone in liking (or even seeing) it. You know that old game: name your top five movies ever? This is one of mine. I can't tell you exactly why it speaks to me, but I found it unusually devoid of contrivance. Of course, cinema is completely contrived, but in this case, it is, as Jean Cocteau would say, "a lie that tells the truth".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A film I can relate to!
Review: This isn't a masterpiece but it's a favourite and one I have watched many times, so it gets five stars in my world. It's great to read other reviews praising this film. I really thought I was alone in liking (or even seeing) it. You know that old game: name your top five movies ever? This is one of mine. I can't tell you exactly why it speaks to me, but I found it unusually devoid of contrivance. Of course, cinema is completely contrived, but in this case, it is, as Jean Cocteau would say, "a lie that tells the truth".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent movie that stands the test of time...
Review: This movie is incredible in that it is a simply told story about three characters who's lives intersect; what's incredible is that one of the characters has AIDS, but the movie doesn't dwell on this fact, nor does it talk down to its audience as so may older gay films do. The acting is understated and wonderful, and the script has a very assured style and wholeness to it, even considering the ending (which I won't talk about here). It's really a shame that the director is dead, because this is, as far as I know, his only film. Steve Buscemi is completely charming in this movie, and Kathy Kinney is amazing: how did she get locked into such a one-dimesional role on one of America's worst TV shows?!? Anyway, completely worth watching over and over again - and I'm sure you will if you purchase this fine movie.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: TAKE A GLANCE AT A MOST PERFECT LOVE STORY
Review: We leave you with a parting glance at Bill Sherwood's directorial debut, the funny, romantic and bittersweet 1986 film that was a pioneer of gay cinema and that remains the best film about gays and the AIDS epidemic ever made. It is a story of love, compassion and friendship -- the flick made a star out of lead Steve Buscemi -- told with style and sophistication that will you breathless whether you're gay or straight.


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