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Common Ground

  • TV Movie
  • 2000
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 45m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
1.1K
YOUR RATING
Common Ground (2000)
Drama

This movie contains three short stories dealing with the theme of homosexuality. In "A Friend of Dorothy," a woman joins the Navy during the 1950s and discovers lesbianism. In "Mr. Roberts,"... Read allThis movie contains three short stories dealing with the theme of homosexuality. In "A Friend of Dorothy," a woman joins the Navy during the 1950s and discovers lesbianism. In "Mr. Roberts," a teacher in a 1970s classroom struggles with his closeted gay status. Finally, in "Amos ... Read allThis movie contains three short stories dealing with the theme of homosexuality. In "A Friend of Dorothy," a woman joins the Navy during the 1950s and discovers lesbianism. In "Mr. Roberts," a teacher in a 1970s classroom struggles with his closeted gay status. Finally, in "Amos and Andy," a father wrestles with his own emotional acceptance of a present day wedding be... Read all

  • Director
    • Donna Deitch
  • Writers
    • Paula Vogel
    • Terrence McNally
    • Harvey Fierstein
  • Stars
    • Erik Knudsen
    • Brittany Murphy
    • Jason Priestley
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    1.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Donna Deitch
    • Writers
      • Paula Vogel
      • Terrence McNally
      • Harvey Fierstein
    • Stars
      • Erik Knudsen
      • Brittany Murphy
      • Jason Priestley
    • 20User reviews
    • 15Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos12

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    Top cast63

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    Erik Knudsen
    Erik Knudsen
    • Young Johnny Burroughs
    Brittany Murphy
    Brittany Murphy
    • Dorothy Nelson
    Jason Priestley
    Jason Priestley
    • Billy
    Margot Kidder
    Margot Kidder
    • Mrs. Nelson
    Helen Shaver
    Helen Shaver
    • Janet
    Mimi Rogers
    Mimi Rogers
    • McPherson
    David Hemblen
    David Hemblen
    • Chester Burroughs
    Aron Tager
    Aron Tager
    • Mr. Manos
    Paulino Nunes
    Paulino Nunes
    • Navy Recruiter
    Brian Kerwin
    Brian Kerwin
    • Chuck Dawson
    Shirley Josephs
    • Mrs. Manos
    Ann Holloway
    • Mrs. Burgess
    Patti Medwid
    • Mrs. Dawson
    Sean O'Neill
    Sean O'Neill
    • Barber Shop Boy
    Andrew Butcher
    Andrew Butcher
    • Barber Shop Boy
    Kim Schraner
    Kim Schraner
    • Suze
    Shannon Barnett
    • Barb
    Tanya Henley
    • Petty Officer
    • Director
      • Donna Deitch
    • Writers
      • Paula Vogel
      • Terrence McNally
      • Harvey Fierstein
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    7.31.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10rjray

    An honest, sometimes unforgiving look at homophobia over three generations.

    This movie is a powerful portrayal of gay life and homophobia in small-town America, in this case Homer, Connecticut. Narrated through all three vignettes by Eric Stoltz's character, the character is 6 or so in "1954" when a young woman (Brittany Murphy) returns from the Navy with a Section 8 discharge for "deviant sexual behavior". In "1974", Stoltz is a fresh-from-Vietnam veteran tending grounds at the town war memorial at a time when the high school's star swimmer (Johnathan Taylor Thomas) wants to come out to his French teacher (Stephen Weber). In the last vignette, Stoltz's groundskeeper is greying, and some in the town (mostly veterans and church-goers) are protesting the marriage of two gay men, one of whom has wedding-day jitters and a father (Ed Asner) who helped organize and mobilize the protest.
    10jvframe

    Highly emotive and entertaining - with no downside

    Donna Deitch has done a great job of conveying highly pertinent real life aspects of gay and lesbian recent history and modern life.

    With very tight scripts and damned fine acting from all players, it would be hard to go wrong, but Donna makes the whole film cohesive and attractive. I also really enjoy the stereo soundtrack.

    I've seen Common Ground several times, enough to be inspired to import the NTSC tape - and the only problem with it is that the left and right channels are reversed (it's worth swapping your cables around temporarily).

    Even though I know my emotional buttons are being pushed, I still enjoy every word and aspect of this film. It offers inspiration for younger and older gays and lesbians - and food for thought for our family and friends.

    This is high quality, gimmick-free and utterly honest film-making.
    7jimu63

    Two-thirds of a good film

    Like many three-part anthology movies, "Common Ground" is a definite mixed bag. An examination of changing attitudes toward gay people in the past half-century or so in a small Connecticut town, it was written by three prominent gay playwrites--Paula Vogel, Terrence McNally and Harvey Fierstein--and performed by a large cast of familiar actors obviously attracted by the weight and "importance" of the project.

    Of the three stories, Vogel's opening segment is by far the best. Set is 1954, it follows a young Naval woman home to Homer, Connecticut after she is given a dishonorable discharge due to "sexual deviancy." Not surprisingly, her return home is not a happy one as news of her "crime" spreads and the townspeople--including her mother--turn on her in a disgusting (but understandable considering the ignorance of the era) display of intolerance. Rising actress Brittany Murphy (so good in very different roles in "Girl, Interrupted," TV's "David and Lisa," and "Clueless") is wonderful as the woman, displaying a touching range of emotions from wonder and excitement when she first visits a gay bar, to sadness and shame as the same townspeople who have known her all her life and at first welcome her return make it clear she is no longer welcome in their midst. She is ably supported by Margot Kidder (looking like she's aged forty years in the past twenty--a far cry from Lois Lane) as the mother and Helen Shaver as a sympathetic restaurant owner.

    The second segment is also strong but not as well developed. Written by McNally and set in 1974, it centers on the harassment and hostility directed by bullies toward a gay high school student just emerging from the closet. Jonathan Taylor Thomas is surprisingly strong in this segment as the gay student--a far cry from his previous performances which quite frankly have never impressed me much. Steven Weber costars as a closeted gay teacher who refuses to help the student out of fear his secret will be revealed until a shocking act of violence in the school shower forces him to deal with his own lack of honesty about his sexuality.

    What keeps this segment from hitting the bullseye is some unlikely plot developments in the last five minutes--and the character of Weber's lover, who doesn't seem to have much idea of what Weber could lose if he did come out and is, in my opinion, a wholly self-centered and unsympathetic partner. Let's face it, it's unrealistic to think that a gay teacher could come out in 1974 and even think of keeping his job. But the segment redeems itself with the resolution of the student's story--his character is true and believable and Thomas acquits himself nicely in the role. He deserves a chance at more roles like this than in mindless pap like "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

    The final segment, unfortunately, is dreadful. Written by Fierstein, it centers on an unbelievable gay wedding and the relationship between a father and gay son played by Ed Asner and James LeGros. Set in the present day, the entire segment is marred by Fierstein's flip, bitchy gay humor and minor characters that are unnecessary. Fierstein even writes himself a role as a stereotypical, princing gay florist; personally, I find him to be much more appealing when he is playing against type, but that's only part of the problem: every time a valid point is made in the segment he shoots himself in the foot by following it with a Neil Simonesque gay joke that points out the fact that the entire episode is not grounded in reality but in a playwrite's fantasy. Sadly, it is also unrealistic to think that even in 2000, a small town of 24,000 would be so welcome to a gay wedding that the town council would approve it being held at the community center in front of a war memorial which is the centerpiece of the town square. In my own state of California, which is considered liberal and trend-setting, an anti-gay marriage proposition (#22) on this year's primary ballot enjoys widespread support so I seriously doubt a town would be so supportive and that only a handful of churchgoers and veterans would protest. Maybe I'm wrong, but sadly I don't think so.

    In all, however, "Common Ground" is a noble, well-intentioned and worthwhile effort. I give it *** out of **** or a 7 out of 10.
    10AtlantaAEguy

    Phenomenal acting and accurate portrayals of life

    Although I have seen many excellent "gay" movies, this movie tops them all. Along with Showtime's TV series "Queer as Folk", this movie accurately portrays the struggles and triumphs in the lives of most homosexuals. Luckily, I was able to purchase a copy on eBay (this movie is not available on DVD or VHS, except to members of the Academy Awards Nomination Committee), and I have shown it to all of my friends and family members. All agree that this movie should almost be mandatory viewing. I highly encourage any and everyone to take the time to watch this film. If you are a homosexual, then this film will make you feel great about who you are and your history. If you are not, then this film will certainly open your eyes as to what it means to be a gay or lesbian man or woman in the world today.
    9gar-18

    Superb Effort

    COMMON GROUND sports excellent acting and generally very strong writing as it tackles different shadings of the gay experience in a small town setting. Small towns can be most unforgiving about differences, especially differences that are hated and feared, like homosexuality. This was brought across quite well in COMMON GROUND which traces gay/lesbian life in three different time settings: 50s, 70s, and the present day. By far the strongest segments were the first two. The last, written by Harvey Feirstein, was lighter in nature, which isn't a bad thing, but the characters were not as fleshed out as in the prior segments. Overall, though, it is an excellent show and a must see for everyone to get a glimpse of the gay experience in America.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      Dorothy presents a blue discharge to the school principal in the 1950s. Blue discharges were discontinued in 1947. Further, the principal calls it a "dishonorable" discharge. Blue discharges were neither honorable nor dishonorable; they were administrative.
    • Quotes

      Tobias: Whats it feel like to make love to another man?

      Gil Roberts: It's wonderful

      Tobias: See, that's what I want to learn!

    • Connections
      Features The Jack Benny Program (1950)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 29, 2000 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Historias comunes
    • Filming locations
      • Milton, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Showtime Networks
      • Winsome Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 45 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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