Memorable stylish account of two young hustlers on the streets of Portland, Oregon. In this 105 minute film from New Line Cinemas, Keanu Reeves plays Scott Favor, the wealthy mayor's son who is slumming until his inheritance is due. River Phoenix plays Mike Waters, a narcoleptic searching for his long lost mother. The movie, which contains strong sexual content, profanity, and violence, grossed $6.4 million when it was released in 1991. While it is at times comic and surreal, documentary and poignant, this film has a streak of Shakespeare's Henry IV and Orson Welles's Chimes at Midnight running through it. One of the major films of its era. Rated R.
OUR SONS
Hugh Grant plays a gay man who stands by his AIDS-afflicted lover and enlists the help of his own mother to get his lover's mother to forgive her son before he dies. A poignant and tragic story which explores both sides of the issue by looking at it from the religious mother's point of view and the gay lover's point of view as well. In the end, they both find peace and a new understanding.
MAURICE
Hugh Grant and James Wilby play two men in Edwardian England who meet at Cambridge and fall madly in love, invoking scorn among their peers. E.M. Forster's long-suppressed novel of homosexual love becomes a superb tale with a brilliant cast. Released in 1987, this moving drama is 135 minutes long and is already a classic.
PHILADELPHIA
Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington give wonderful performances in this 1993 drama about a AIDS-afflicted attorney who brings a wrongful termination suit against the firm after getting fired. One of the top movies of 1993. Brought much needed spotlight to the fight for equal rights of those afflicted with AIDS and other disabilities, as well as shedding the spotlight on homophobia.
THE CRYING GAME
One of 1992's top grossing motion pictures, taking in an estimated $62.5 million dollars, this movie is primarily about terrorism in the British Isles. It involves an IRA terrorist falling in love with the girlfriend of one of his captives. It was the film debut of Jaye Davidson, and was rated R.
TOTAL ECLIPSE
One of the lesser known motion pictures starring Leonardo DiCaprio, this movie is about two poets who become obsessively infatuated with one another. Some of the love scenes are rather torrid and dramatic. Rated R.
ODE TO BILLY JOE
Why did Billy Joe McAllister jump off the Tallahatchee Bridge to his death? Because he had "been with a man", that's why. This poignant coming of age movie was taboo for its time, and it told a story that still stirs the soul today. Released in the late '70s, this movie starring Robby Benson revolved around the tragic "Romeo & Juliet" love affair of Benson's character and his girlfriend which can never be consummated because of Benson's guilt over being homosexual.
IN & OUT
In this hit 1997 comedy, Kevin Kline plays an allegedly gay teacher who is outed by a former student (played by Matt Dillon) who reveals his sexuality while giving an Oscar acceptance speech. Tom Selleck plays a jaded tv reporter, and in the movie's only contraversial scene, he kisses Kline. The movie is ironically comical, as Kline plays a character who is supposed to be getting married the same week that the Oscar speech is made, leading to conflict. Joan Cusack, as Kline's intended wife, plays a stunning role as a woman trying to come to grips with the sudden turmoil in their lives. The movie is a light hearted but yet serious look at homophobia in the heartland.
