Feature Films - Primary gay theme
A list of LGBT films with a gay theme forming the main plot or major part of the story.
Titles rated 8 and above I consider "must see" films!
Titles rated 5 and above have delivered an enjoyable movie experience, or offer something significant to the history of this genre.
Titles rated 8 and above I consider "must see" films!
Titles rated 5 and above have delivered an enjoyable movie experience, or offer something significant to the history of this genre.
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- DirectorChristian FaureStarsJérémie RenierLouise MonotBruno TodeschiniA young Jewish girl looking to escape the clutches of the Third Reich after seeing her parents and sister brutally slain while attempting to make their way to England is sheltered by an old friend whose status as a member of the "third" sex soon leads the Gestapo pounding on his door as well. Betrayed by a smuggler who sat idly by as her family was casually slaughtered by the SS, terrified Sara flees into the comforting care of childhood summer-vacation chum Jean and his faithful lover Philippe. Though safe for the moment thanks to Jean's quick-thinking plan to pass her off as a Gallic employee of his family's laundry business, Sara watches in horror as her homosexual protector is forced into a Nazi labor camp as a tragic result of a bad decision made by Jean's troublesome brother Jacques.A brilliant script sure to blow you away! Rarely does a film combine suspense, pathos, intelligence and gut wrenching sadness in such a tight and heart wrenching narrative. Set in 1942 during the upheaval of Nazi-occupied Paris. French with subtitles. 10/10
- DirectorAng LeeStarsJake GyllenhaalHeath LedgerMichelle WilliamsEnnis and Jack are two shepherds who develop a sexual and emotional relationship. Their relationship becomes complicated when both of them get married to their respective girlfriends.Painfully honest and frank, this story will stay with you long after the credits roll. It's rare to have the components that make a complete film combine in such a beautiful and powerful way. A true classic and rightly so, each time I leave with something new. 10/10
- DirectorJames IvoryStarsJames WilbyRupert GravesHugh GrantTwo English school chums find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. To regain his place in society, Clive gives up Maurice and marries. While staying with Clive and his wife, Maurice discovers romance in the arms of the gamekeeper Alec.A top rate period piece based on Forster's great story, brought to life by Merchant and Ivory. A moving gay love story with true heroes in a rigid and incredibly bigoted Edwardian setting. Easy to view time and again. 10/10
- DirectorJean-Marc ValléeStarsMichel CôtéMarc-André GrondinDanielle ProulxA young French Canadian, one of five boys in a conservative family in the 1960s and 1970s, struggles to reconcile his emerging identity with his father's values.A coming-of-age drama encapsulating Quebec in the sixties, seventies and eighties with an amazing sound track and great acting. Emile Vallee is incredible as Zac, the second youngest son in a family of five boys desperate to feel the love of his overbearing, homophobic father. French with subtitles. 9/10
- DirectorGus Van SantStarsSean PennJosh BrolinEmile HirschThe story of American gay activist Harvey Milk, who fought for gay rights and was elected as California's first openly gay official.A really great biopic, this represents Harvey Milk as truly human with flaws and all. It also portrays the history of the time as honestly as can be imagined. Sean Penn really delivers in the lead role. 9/10
- DirectorBennett MillerStarsPhilip Seymour HoffmanClifton Collins Jr.Catherine KeenerIn 1959, Truman Capote learns of the murder of a Kansas family and decides to write a book about the case. While researching for his novel In Cold Blood, Capote forms a relationship with one of the killers, Perry Smith, who is on death row.Philip Seymour Hoffman's brilliant portrayal of Truman Capote is the standout feature of this work. The complicated personal journey and exploration of his relationship with killer Perry Smith is fantastic. 9/10
- DirectorGregg ArakiStarsBrady CorbetJoseph Gordon-LevittElisabeth ShueTwo pre-adolescent boys both experienced a strange event and later it affects their lives in different ways. One becomes a reckless, sexually adventurous prostitute, while the other retreats into a reclusive fantasy of alien abduction.Araki explores a difficult subject with a story spanning ten years in the lives of two youths who were abused as children. Unbelievably potent and disturbing, this movie will wring you out. Joseph Gordon-Levitt is amazing. 9/10
- DirectorHettie MacdonaldStarsGlen BerryLinda HenryScott NealJamie is a shy teenager, often bullied at school. His neighbour Ste has a rough time at home, being beaten by his father and brother. This issues bring them together and they find that what they feel for each other is more than friendship.A wonderfully simple film that is a breath of fresh air and perhaps my favorite coming-of-age drama. A great British story set in a grim working class environment but told with incredible positivity. This one will leave you happy and uplifted. 8/10
- DirectorJonah MarkowitzStarsTrevor WrightBrad RoweTina HolmesWhen his college dreams are sidelined by family obligations, a young man finds comfort in surfing with his best friend's brother.A sweet, sexy romance about a confused young artist torn between his family and his future. All the anticipated story arcs are in place, however the actors do a great job with the script. Not without a few flaws, probably due to budget constraints. 8/10
- DirectorTom FordStarsColin FirthJulianne MooreMatthew GoodeAn English professor, one year after the sudden death of his boyfriend, is unable to cope with his typical days in 1960s Los Angeles.A beautifully lush and precise film about a gay man struggling with the recent death of his lover. The film's message is left for us to take, not forced. Superbly cast, particularly Colin Firth who can give so much by doing seemingly so little. 8/10
- DirectorKimberly PeirceStarsHilary SwankChloë SevignyPeter SarsgaardA young man named Brandon Teena navigates love, life, and being transgender in rural Nebraska.Based on true events and difficult to watch in places, with several violent and disturbing scenes. Swank builds a compassionate understanding of the complex character of Brandon without converting him into a saint-like figure. The real power here is to enable a wide audience to think about sexual differences and what it might be like trapped in a gender that doesn't fit.
- DirectorMichael MayerStarsColin FarrellDallas RobertsRobin WrightA boy who has experienced many losses in his life grows to manhood and enters into a love triangle with a woman and his boyhood friend.A powerful movie about the need to feel love and to belong. Three friends build their vision of 'family' and attempt to hang on for the ride. Colin Farrell provides an astonishing performance. This is another great movie for the romantics among us. 8/10
- DirectorAchim von BorriesStarsDaniel BrühlAugust DiehlAnna Maria MüheA posthumous look at the last days of Guenther's life as he, his best friend, and his sister let loose on a four-day binge of alcohol, drugs, and sex.Based on a true story, this is an intense and heady exploration of privileged, destructive youth. Drawn slowly, it has a poetic feeling of melancholy and sadness. Rich cinematography and strong musical score round it off perfectly. I love that Gunther's sexuality was a significant part of the story, but didn't totally dominate. German with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorBill CondonStarsIan McKellenBrendan FraserLynn RedgraveThe last days of Frankenstein (1931) director James Whale are explored.A rich character study of famed movie director James Whale with notable acting performances. McKellen and Fraser share empowering scenes where one character sees mirrored in the other their own fears and emotions. 8/10
- DirectorBrian GilbertStarsStephen FryJude LawVanessa RedgraveThe turmoil in poet/playwright Oscar Wilde's life after he discovers his homosexuality.A sensitive, involving and detailed biopic of a great Victorian era writer. The forbidden relationship between Wilde and Douglas was venomous and sweet, brought to life perfectly through Stephen Fry and Jude Law. 8/10
- DirectorNorman RenéStarsStephen CaffreyPatrick CassidyBrian CousinsThe emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic is chronicled in the lives of several gay men living during the 1980s.A poignant and touching film that every person should see. Set in the 1980's and still incredibly powerful today, if you're not emotionally moved by this work, you're not human. 8/10
- DirectorElla LemhagenStarsGustaf SkarsgårdTorkel PeterssonTom LjungmanA Swedish gay couple adopt what they think is an 18-month-old orphan, only to meet their new son, a 15-year-old homophobic delinquent.A refreshing drama about love and family relationships that will sweep you through a range of emotions. The simple script is beautifully acted, particularly Gustaf Skarsgård as Goran. Swedish with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorStephan ElliottStarsHugo WeavingGuy PearceTerence StampTwo drag performers and a transgender woman travel across the desert to perform their unique style of cabaret.A wonderfully nutty movie exploring life, love, fatherhood, and most of all friendship and loyalty as three very different drag queens travel in the remote Australian Outback. A movie that didn't follow trends or conventions, but start new ones. 8/10
- DirectorJohn GreysonStarsIan D. ClarkMarcel SabourinAubert PallascioWhen a bishop comes to a prison to hear the confession of an old friend he is forced to watch a play, performed by the inmates, about their youth together, love and betrayal.Intricate and ingenious use of the "theatrical" with cuts between prison re-enactments and actual events providing a seamless story. This tale of love, murder, and retribution is told in a unique way with a very artistic feel. 8/10
- DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsGael García BernalFele MartínezJavier CámaraAn examination on the effect of Franco-era religious schooling and sexual abuse on the lives of two longtime friends.Pedro Almodóvar is an artist. The film noir style contains fascinating concepts beautifully and sensitively put into pictures. The complex twists and turns require your attention for a very worthwhile pay off. Gael García Bernal is great in three separate roles. Spanish with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorEytan FoxStarsOhad KnollerYehuda LeviAssi CohenRomance blooms between two soldiers (Knoller, Levi) stationed in an Israeli outpost on the Lebanese border.Brief at just 65 minutes, but very natural and surprisingly affecting. Set among a platoon of soldiers operating on the Israeli-Lebanese border, the story focuses on the secret relationship of two men. Filming with a handheld camera can be problematic, but there is a scene in the snow where it works beautifully. Hebrew with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorNeil JordanStarsStephen ReaJaye DavidsonForest WhitakerA British soldier kidnapped by the IRA soon befriends one of his captors, who then becomes drawn into the soldier's world.A sensation in 1992, and still an intelligently written and well acted thriller. It features one of the most startling plot twists ever conceived for film and definitely stands the test of time. 8/10
- DirectorJulian SchnabelStarsJavier BardemJohnny DeppOlatz López GarmendiaThe life of Cuban poet and novelist, Reinaldo Arenas.A visual feast with this biopic of Reynaldo Arenas, the novelist and poet imprisoned and later exiled from Cuba for his controversial writings and open homosexuality. Javier Bardem captures the many complexities of Reynaldo, who constantly found himself unwanted by the world around him, yet filled with ability to see the beauty within it. English and Spanish. 8/10
- DirectorJavier Fuentes-LeónStarsCristian MercadoTatiana AstengoManolo CardonaAn unusual ghost story set on the Peruvian seaside; a married fisherman struggles to reconcile his devotion to his male lover within his town's rigid traditions.A beautiful script with simple exchanges delivering a powerful message. The cinematography is memorizing and the story captures perfectly the choice to become true to yourself and all those you love. Spanish with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorAndré TéchinéStarsÉlodie BouchezGaël MorelStéphane RideauThe fates of two partners are divided.A solid coming-of-age drama about 4 teenagers in rural France in 1962. The film is very well made, offering a depiction of adolescence that is complex and sophisticated. The lush cinematography is beautiful throughout and the cast is great. French with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorTag PurvisStarsDan Montgomery Jr.Aleksa PalladinoKaren BlackRed Dirt offers the story of a young man's search to belong in this sublime expression of love and reconciliation. At only twenty, Griffith is struggling with the responsibilities of caring for his unwell aunt, grieving the loss of their family's matriarch, and his own dreams of leaving Pine Apple. With the arrival of a stranger, Griffith's carefully constructed walls of shame and silence begin to come down and his life takes an unexpected turn.This film evokes Southern Louisiana so perfectly that you'll think you're there! Through strange entanglements,see how the heart's quest for love can find its way regardless of the difficulties. Walton Goggins brings incredible intensity and emotion to his character. Romantics will love this film. See it twice to capture all that is there for you. 8/10
- DirectorHaim TabakmanStarsZohar StraussRan Khalil DankerTinkerbellA married, Orthodox, Jerusalem butcher and Jewish father of four falls in love with his handsome, 22-year-old male apprentice, triggering the suspicions of his wife and the disapproval of his Orthodox community.Simplicity and restraint imbue this film with power and conviction. Set in an ultra Orthodox Jewish society in Jerusalem, it tells the story of a family man whose inner world is torn apart when he falls in love with a young man. Highly recommended. Hebrew with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorPedro AlmodóvarStarsEusebio PoncelaCarmen MauraAntonio BanderasA gay filmmaker becomes involved with an obsessive fan while still pining for his absent true love. Meanwhile, he shares a close but complex relationship with his trans sister, an actress.Almodovar delights with a look at the meaning of desire and love. The sexuality of the protagonists is depicted openly and frankly and while gay-themed movies were taking shape in 1987, few were as erotic or in-your-face as this. Law of Desire was perhaps the film to establish Almodovar internationally. Spanish with subtitles. 8/10
- DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsMatt DamonGwyneth PaltrowJude LawIn late 1950s New York, a young underachiever named Tom Ripley is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures.An intelligent well made thriller. Matt Damon explores the darker side of a character that you might come to be both sympathetic towards and freaked out by. 8/10
- DirectorJonathan DemmeStarsTom HanksDenzel WashingtonRoberta MaxwellWhen a man with HIV is fired by his law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic-small time lawyer as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit.One of just a few mainstream breakthrough films, when this court-room drama was released, dying of AIDS was not understood or openly talked about. Tom Hanks is excellent in his Oscar winning performance. Scenes giving emotional depth and clarity to the intimate male relationship were cut, leaving the character played by Antonio Banderas unnecessarily under-done. 8/10
- DirectorAndrew HaighStarsTom CullenChris NewJonathan RaceAfter a drunken house party with his straight mates, Russell heads out to a gay club. Just before closing time he picks up Glen but what's expected to be just a one-night stand becomes something else, something special.A unique brief encounter movie where two guys meet for a one-night stand but realise a strong mutual attraction. Over the course of an intense weekend, including one hell of an alcohol and drug fuelled bender, they explore feelings and challenge their own and each other's perceptions. The lead characters have great chemistry and deliver strong intensity. 7/10
- DirectorSimon ShoreStarsBen SilverstoneBrad GortonCharlotte BrittainA tenderly romantic coming-of-age story as two boys in a British school fall in love.Satisfying coming-of-age film from the UK offering a vividly realistic portrayal. Balancing humor and emotional drama, it travels slowly, transporting you into the world of first love and infatuation. 7/10
- DirectorMiguel AlbaladejoStarsJosé Luis García-PérezDavid CastilloEmpar FerrerPedro, a gay man with an active social life and many friends, takes in his nephew Bernardo for a couple weeks. When the arrangement becomes permanent , Pedro turns to his friends for guidance as he and Bernardo forge a household together.Well-balanced, technically competent dramedy, that is both funny and touching. Finally some fresh storytelling, where a gay man with a full and busy life finds himself caring for his young nephew. An honest depiction of gay social life without judgment using characters that break stereotypes. Spanish with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorBavo DefurneStarsBen Van den HeuvelEva van der GuchtThomas CoumansA teenage boy's search for love finds him fixated on a boy who lives nearby.Jelle Florizoone's portrayal of beautifully awkward and introverted Pim is the standout. Bavo Defurne is known for short films and this felt like a short film manipulated into a feature. I look forward to seeing how Defurne develops in future work. Dutch with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorJoseph GrahamStarsBenjamin BonenfantNick FrangioneArtem MishinA handsome young prostitute learns about life and love during a sex-filled odyssey in an apartment building filled with strange inhabitants.It's exciting when you find a movie that offers so much more than you anticipate. Graham's writing and direction are excellent and Ben Bonenfant is just wonderful. He plays a young hustler 'finding himself' in a crazy mixed up world. The tenderness and vulnerability captured by the various actors breathes life into this work. Not without some issues, but definitely worthwhile. 7/10
- DirectorFerzan ÖzpetekStarsMargherita BuyStefano AccorsiSerra YilmazAfter a deathly car accident, Antonia starts dating her husband's friends and finds the truth about his life.A unique story concept delivered with real warmth exploring love, betrayal, deceit and infatuation. Fantastic depth in character development. The US title is "His Secret Life" and worth finding. Italian with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorGus Van SantStarsRiver PhoenixKeanu ReevesJames RussoTwo best friends living on the streets of Portland as hustlers embark on a journey of self discovery and find their relationship stumbling along the way.Gus Van Sant turns his visionary eye to a commentary on the basic human need for love and home. River Phoenix's career best performance as the narcoleptic and confused street-hustler Mike. Love it or not, you won't forget it. 7/10
- DirectorPeter SheridanStarsShawn HatosyDanny DyerEamon GlancyIrish teenager political activist and future writer Brendan Behan is befriended in a British borstal (reformatory) by a liberal warden.A hidden gem! The story of a young Brendan Behan who discovers love, friendship and tragedy whilst imprisoned in an English reform school. Brendan and Charlie's relationship is beautifully developed, both characters exuding a wonderful innocence. 7/10
- DirectorRob EpsteinJeffrey FriedmanStarsJames FrancoTodd RotondiJon PrescottAs Allen Ginsberg talks about his life and art, his most famous poem is illustrated in animation while the obscenity trial of the work is dramatized.A narrative film exploring Ginsberg's poetry and impact on American culture. The directors embrace the idiosyncratic rhythm and imagery of the poetry, weaving together an hypnotic film from different storytelling threads. "Howl" reflected Ginsberg's sexuality and relationships with a number of men, including his lifelong partner. 7/10
- DirectorRichard GlatzerWash WestmorelandStarsEmily RiosJesse GarciaChalo GonzálezAs Magdalena's 15th birthday approaches, her simple, blissful life is complicated by the discovery that she's pregnant. Kicked out of her house, she finds a new family with her great-granduncle and gay cousin.An excellent slice-of-life family drama looking at homosexuality, teen pregnancy and racism. Jesse Garcia's portrayal of a young gay Latino gang member blows away all stereotypes. English and Spanish with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorC. Jay CoxStarsWes RamseySteve SandvossMary Kay PlaceA promiscuous gay party animal falls for a young Mormon missionary, leading to crisis, cliché, and catastrophe.An ambitious story that provokes soul searching about the joys and challenges of being gay from a religious perspective. Starting as traditional romantic comedy then shifting into solid drama, it is far from perfect, but contains more good moments than bad. 7/10
- DirectorSean MathiasStarsLothaire BluteauClive OwenMick JaggerIn 1930s Berlin, a gay Jew is sent to a concentration camp under the Nazi regime.Adapted from a stage play, the film is not perfect, but quite unusual and entirely captivating. It's always horrifying to see depictions of the extent of man's inhumanity and intolerance. Of particular note is the non-physical sex scene at the concentration camp, which is powerful and touching. 7/10
- DirectorPaul BogartStarsAnne BancroftMatthew BroderickHarvey FiersteinArnold is a gay man working as drag queen in 1971 NYC. He meets a handsome bisexual man.Adapted from a successful stage play, it is sometimes busy and heavy-handed, but also brilliant and funny. A genuinely heartfelt and detailed look into the life of a gay man, his relationships and family. 15 years on, it holds up incredibly well. 7/10
- DirectorNacho G. VelillaStarsJavier CámaraLola DueñasFernando TejeroJavier Cámara (Talk to Her) stars as Chef Maxi, a culinary genius/drama queen with too much on his plate.An enjoyable, well written and action-filled comedy-farce from Spain. Unlike similar films from the USA or UK, it features one or two dramatic sub-plots. The humour works well, with a credible story and tight acting. There are no hateful characters or over-the-top stereotypes. Enjoyed and recommended. Spanish with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorBohdan SlámaStarsPavel LiskaZuzana BydzovskáLadislav SedivýPetr, youthful, quiet, and sensitive, comes from Prague to teach natural science in a country town. The gruff principal asks what he's running from and predicts he'll be gone in six months. Marie, a widow with a teen son, Lada, befriends Petr. She's lonely. Petr does some chores at her farm and watches Lada with his weekend girlfriend, Bara. We meet Petr's parents and understand some of why he left Prague, then Petr's friend Mihi pays a visit and we understand more. Mihi throws a wrench in things, and Lada comes to Petr for help. Has Petr found his place in the world, but what about his nature?Looks at love and loss in a rural farming village in the Czech Republic. A gentle and often inspiring film about self-acceptance and the resilience of people who discover that their lives work better together than apart. Czech with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorTom GustafsonStarsTanner CohenWendy RobieJudy McLaneA bullied and demoralized gay student at an all-boys school uses a magical flower derived from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream' to turn many in his community gay, including a comely rugby player for himself.Something different with an adorable fantasy musical. It's a queer interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream and set in an all boy's school. The sparse musical numbers are effectively worked into the story and Tanner Cohen in the lead has a strong, beautiful voice. 7/10
- DirectorChristian FaureStarsCyrille ThouveninStéphan Guérin-TilliéÉva DarlanAfter his gay cousin dies from hepatitis, young Laurent, who lives with his best friend Carole, falls in love with Cedric, a plant scientist. He's afraid to inform his conservative parents that he is gay.A sensitive, unbiased examination of how coming out impacts not only the individual, but also their friends and family. Great chemistry between the two male leads. French with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorKim Dae-seungStarsLee Byung-hunEun-ju LeeYeo Hyeon-sooTwo soulmates find each other only to be torn apart by tragedy. However, not even death can keep them apart...but can destiny?A beautifully made story about true love, the concept of there being a one and only. It features a significant reincarnation twist. Romantics will love this movie, but may also feel uncomfortable about the characters ultimate inability to accept the fate they were handed. Korean with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorGlenn FicarraJohn RequaStarsJim CarreyEwan McGregorLeslie MannA cop turns con man once he comes out of the closet. Once imprisoned, he meets the second love of his life, whom he'll stop at nothing to be with.Initially apprehensive about Jim Carey, I really enjoyed this romantic comedy about a man who just can't stop conning his way through life. The primary characters are gay, it is a non-fiction piece and features an off-kilter con-man as the romantic lead. Sounds bizarre, yet these elements come together to make a really entertaining movie. 7/10
- DirectorJohn Cameron MitchellStarsJohn Cameron MitchellMiriam ShorStephen TraskA gender-queer punk-rock singer from East Berlin tours the U.S. with her band as she tells her life story and follows the former lover/band-mate who stole her songs.Surprising glam-rock musical with unexpected depth and complexity! Great songs that move the story forward. John Cameron Mitchell does a fantastic job with the complex character of Hedwig, whose journey of self discovery and finding wholeness is engrossing. 7/10
- DirectorMichael CuestaStarsBrian CoxPaul DanoBruce AltmanA 15-year-old Long Island boy loses everything and everyone he knows, soon becoming involved in a relationship with a much older man.A daring and complex coming-of-age drama about an abandoned 15-year-old Long Island boy, Howie. A feature of this work is the effective and complex drawing of both Howie and the suspicious older character of Big John, played by Brian Cox. 7/10
- DirectorHector BabencoStarsWilliam HurtRaul JuliaSonia BragaA gay man and a political prisoner are together in a prison. The gay man narrates the stories of two fake movies and his own life.A strong character study winning Hurt an Oscar for Best Actor. What is powerful is how each character helps the other to realise their self worth, despite the totalitarian brutality around them. A cult classic that holds up all these years on. 7/10
- DirectorEnrique BuchichioStarsMartín RodríguezCecilia CóseroGerardo BegérezLeo, a young man coming to terms with his own sexuality, runs into Caro, a primary school friend he fancied when they were kids, who's now trying to ward off her own personal demons. This casual re-encounter will affect their personal conflicts without either truly grasping the other's problem.A simple, unpretentious and intimate character study of a sweet young Uruguayan man. Slowly paced and beautifully filmed, Martín Rodríguez brings depth to his character's personal journey of self-discovery. A coming-out story that is a refreshing alternative to the mainstream treatment. Spanish with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorAng LeeStarsWinston ChaoMay ChinAh-Lei GuaTo satisfy his nagging parents, a gay landlord and a female tenant agree to a marriage of convenience, but his parents arrive to visit and things get out of hand.More drama than comedy, the Wedding Banquet is a clash of cultures that effectively exposes the truths and untruths in stereotypes, sexuality, and tradition. Culture plays into the motivations for each character's actions throughout the movie. Mandarin and English with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorRoger SpottiswoodeStarsMatthew ModineAlan AldaPatrick BauchauThe story of the discovery of the AIDS epidemic, and the political infighting of the scientific community hampering the early fight with it.The AIDS epidemic was allowed to develop before anything significant was done. An all star cast explore how doctors, researchers and the federal government contributed to the progression of the disease before establishing a practical response. 7/10
- DirectorPaul OremlandStarsSteve BellDani BehrIan RoseA tough young boxer struggles to come out in England. Having travelled to London, from his smaller town, he meets and falls for a twenty-something music producer. But love doesn't come easy.Steve Bell carries this film. He is totally convincing in the various aspects of his character: a confident fighter, a novice gay man, and a romantic lover. This movie is a valuable addition to gay romance/drama films showing everyday guys. 7/10
- DirectorKar-Wai WongStarsLeslie CheungTony Leung Chiu-waiChang ChenA couple take a trip to Argentina but both men find their lives drifting apart in opposite directions.A mesmerizing and complex film involving lovers in conflict who are estranged from their homeland, their loved-ones and eventually each other. The strong, original cinematography is a feature. Mandarin with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorRoeland KerboschStarsMaarten SmitAndrew KelleyJeroen KrabbéSet in The Netherlands at the end of WW II, this touching story, told in flashbacks, explores the complex and romantic relationship between an adult soldier and a displaced, lonely adolescent boy.The story of a Dutch boy's emotional and sexual relationship with an adult Canadian solider during World War II. Told from the boy's perspective, the relationship is shown as loving and magical, inviting you to consider if such relationships are intrinsically abusive or if they might, in extraordinary instances, have a validity. Beautifully filmed and acted. 7/10
- DirectorGeoff BurtonKevin DowlingStarsJack ThompsonRussell CroweJohn PolsonA widowed father has to deal with two complex issues: while he is searching for "Miss Right," his son, who is in his 20s and gay, is searching for "Mr. Right."A simple, authentic Australian story about unconditional family love and loyalty. Jack Thompson and Russell Crowe are perfect in roles that blow away any hint of stereotypes. Originally a stage play (which I saw years ago), the narration to camera can take some getting used to, but well worth the effort. 7/10
- DirectorDuncan TuckerStarsFelicity HuffmanKevin ZegersFionnula FlanaganA transgender woman takes an unexpected journey when she learns that she had a son, now a teenage runaway hustling on the streets of New York.A road movie about a pre-operative transsexual and her unknowing son and their complex relationship. Focusing on individual acceptance rather than social approval, the film is refreshingly solid and well acted. I was completely involved. Tucker cleverly balances a comic touch with the drama. Huffman was nominated for an Oscar. 7/10
- DirectorKevin SmithStarsBen AffleckJoey Lauren AdamsEthan SupleeHolden and Banky are comic book artists. Everything's going good for them until they meet Alyssa, also a comic book artist. Holden falls for her, but his hopes are crushed when he finds out she's a lesbian.A good conversational comedy that uncovers the hypocrisy surrounding gender relationships. It goes well beyond the acceptance of sexual preference, to look at the insecurities that all human beings have - gay or straight! Joey Lauren Adams and Ben Affleck are great. 7/10
- DirectorMoisés KaufmanStarsChristina RicciSteve BuscemiKathleen ChalfantThe true story of an American town in the wake of the murder of Matthew Shepard.From a play of the same name and made from interviews with residents of the town, the film is presented as an acted-documentary. Confront the realities of violence and hate in a way that is intense and infuriating. An intelligent, complex, and very relevant piece of work. 7/10
- DirectorMarcelo PiñeyroStarsEduardo NoriegaLeonardo SbaragliaPablo EcharriNene & Angel and their accomplice Cuervo participate in a botched bank robbery in 1965 Buenos Aires, then hide out from the police in Uruguay while the gang breaks down.The feature of this work is the subtle yet honest portrayal of the intense relationship between Angel and Nene. It's an incredibly passionate, destructive and uncompromising depiction. Spanish with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorAluizio AbranchesStarsJúlia LemmertzFábio AssunçãoJean Pierre NoherTwo brothers develop a very close relationship as they are growing up in an idyllic and happy family. When they are young adults their relationship becomes very intimate, romantic, and sexual.A huge taboo in western society, incest! We are invited to consider how love might flourish if life was uncomplicated by belief systems based on shame and conformity. From birth to young adulthood, we follow the story of two half-brothers. Portuguese with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorPeter BrattStarsBenjamin BrattAlex HernandezChristopher BorgzinnerA single-parent ex-con in a tough minority neighborhood finds his personal values challenged when he discovers his son is gay.Clearly a labour of love, this film has great depth and detail. It's about Hispanic culture from the perspective of a father and son in San Francisco's Mission district and provides a sensitive study of the culture with its good and bad points. 7/10
- DirectorJim SharmanStarsTim CurrySusan SarandonBarry BostwickA newly-engaged couple have a breakdown in an isolated area and must seek shelter at the bizarre residence of Dr. Frank-n-Furter.From the riotous stage show of the early 70s, this cult classic rock musical is outrageously wonderful with a superb cast. With your friends or as private escape, it is just as good today as it was in 1975. 7/10
- DirectorFerzan ÖzpetekStarsRiccardo ScamarcioNicole GrimaudoAlessandro PreziosiTommaso is the youngest son of the Cantones, a large, traditional southern Italian family operating a pasta-making business since the 1960s. On a trip home from Rome, where he studies literature and lives with his boyfriend, Tommaso decides to tell his parents the truth about himself. But when he is finally ready to come out in front of the entire family, his older brother Antonio ruins his plans.A lush family drama with hit and miss comedic moments. It had a feeling of uncertainty about what kind of movie to be. Vibrant cinematography, quality acting and good music worked to hold my interest. Italian with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorAna KokkinosStarsAlex DimitriadesElle MandalisDamien FotiouA 19 year old Greek Australian youth struggles with his sexual identity and has one clumsy heterosexual and several homosexual encounters.A hard-edged, fast-paced drama where Alex Dimitriades is Ari, a nihilistic young Greek-Australian on a wild binge. The story depicts a tortured struggle between burgeoning sexuality and the rigid expectations of Greek culture. 7/10
- DirectorThom FitzgeraldStarsChris LeavinsKerry FoxIan ParsonsWilliam, a once obese and depressed adolescent, is able to move past his teenage years when he moves to the city and comes out as being gay. When he returns home though, he can't cope with his memories.A very unusual slice-of-dysfunctional-life drama taking you into the strange world of a Nova Scotia family living in shadow of their drunkenly abusive patriarch. Much of the story focuses on the gay son William, who returns having abandoned the family 10 years earlier. Flashback fantasy sequences and strange character interactions together with confronting metaphors will ensure this film will not suit everyone. 7/10
- DirectorTom ShanklandStarsLee WilliamsMarc WarrenEmily HolmesYoung Tim Cornish's life has begun with great promise. Blessed with extraordinary good looks, Tim enjoyed much attention and cared little of broken hearts. At University he was a favored student in a prestigious creative writing course, but a chance meeting, a stolen kiss and a sudden flare of passion sets Tim on a journey of betrayal, heartbreak and murder. In a flashback, he tells his story of cruelty, love and a soul-destroying guilt that offers little chance for redemption.An enthralling thriller! Allow yourself to be manipulated by the twists and turns in this daring and intricate movie. My only gripe was with the done-to-death cliches for the gay characters. Hard to find, I got my dvd from Amazon in France. 7/10
- DirectorBob FosseStarsLiza MinnelliMichael YorkHelmut GriemA female girlie club entertainer in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them.Included for historical significance, Cabaret was the first mainstream Hollywood movie to include a whiff of queer sexuality as a natural component of the story. Cabaret also satisfies as pure entertainment, frequently described as the last of the great Hollywood musicals. 7/10
- DirectorMatthew WarchusStarsBill NighyImelda StauntonDominic WestU.K. gay activists work to help miners during their lengthy strike of the National Union of Mineworkers in the summer of 1984.Mostly uplifting movie based on true events during a bleak time in 1980s Britain. I enjoyed the portrayal of activism as social equaliser, bringing diverse people together in a spirit of support and desire to control our destinies. 7/10
- DirectorFrank PiersonStarsTroy GarityLee PaceAndre BraugherThe true story of the price a young soldier paid for falling in love with a transsexual night-club performer.A young soldier falls for a beautiful transsexual. The film treats their love as simple and natural but they face complexities delivered by people around them. It's based on a true story making it all the more painful to watch. 7/10
- DirectorÉmile GaudreaultStarsLuke KirbyPeter MillerGinette RenoThe son of Italian immigrants to Canada struggles to find the best way to reveal to his parents that he's gay.A light-hearted, well acted and yes, stereotypical comedy about coming-out amidst family cultural pressures. This time, an expatriate Italian family with a gay son in Montreal. The stereotypes, both sexual and cultural aren't offensive, but rather delightful and help the light nature of the film along. 7/10
- DirectorMarek KanievskaStarsRupert EverettColin FirthMichael JennBased on the life of the young Guy Burgess, who would become better known as one of the Cambridge Spies.Detailed study of life at an elite private school in 1930s England, with gorgeous cinematography and wonderful interactions between Rupert Everett and Colin Firth. For me, the movie fails to fully explain the defection to Russia, but in other respects is excellent. 6/10
- DirectorDavid OliverasStarsTye OlsonKyle ClareEllie AraizaA story about two classmates - one smart and openly gay and the other school swimming star. They grow as friends and discover their attraction to each other.A young artist is haunted by a tragedy during high-school. Some great moments including the early pool scene and the main love scene where it rains inside the living room, providing a surreal and magical feel. A larger budget would have allowed this film to fully blossom. 6/10
- DirectorMarco BergerStarsManuel VignauLucas FerraroMercedes QuinterosAfter girlfriend Laura dumps him for another man, Bruno plots to come between the new lovers. But his plan takes an unexpected turn, causing Bruno to question his own sexuality.For me, the highlight is the portrayal of abject confusion by Manuel Vignau, when his character Bruno, finds himself in a situation that wasn’t part of any plan! I’m a fan of the slow burn, but at times I felt impatient, with long takes and close framed shots dragging on. There’s enough here for this to be worth your time. Subsequent work by Marco Berger builds on this piece. Spanish with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorNick OceanoStarsAlex LoynazJustina MachadoHale ApplemanIn 1994 Pedro Zamora was the first HIV-positive gay man to appear in a reality show on MTV. The audience of 'The Real World: San Francisco' identified easily with this intelligent, good-looking Latino. His presence on the show also meant that audiences in the United States and abroad had to engage with the topic of AIDS. A screen adaptation of Pedro Zamora's life: his childhood in Havana as the youngest of eight children, his immigration to the United States, his hard work as an AIDS activist, his appearance on 'The Real World' as well as the short time that was left to him subsequently.Pedro Zamora's story is moving and inspirational. Incredibly, this movie came off feeling like a movie-of-the-week, reducing my overall rating. Among the various work available about Pedro, this is worth viewing. 6/10
- DirectorDavid GleesonStarsMichael LeggeAllen LeechAmy ShielsThe story concerns a hapless civil servant who gets more than he bargained for when he moves into an apartment with a gay fashion student and finds himself on the catwalk. The film sets out to explore the difficulties young people have in keeping their identities in a fast-moving culture of drugs and clubs.Neat, well rounded coming-of-age drama from Ireland. It features a confident, well-balanced gay lead character who develops a strong and lasting friendship with his straight house mate. 6/10
- DirectorStephen FrearsStarsSaeed JaffreyRoshan SethDaniel Day-LewisAn ambitious Pakistani Briton and his white boyfriend strive for success and hope when they open a glamorous laundromat.Thatchers 1980 Britain divided by class, ethnicity and sexuality. Made for television, the movie lacks a budget and relies too heavily on eccentric charm. Filled with social, sexual, and political commentary, the gay relationship of the lead characters is effectively incorporated into the narrative. 6/10
- DirectorMiles SwainStarsLarry SullivanSteve BraunRay BakerRomance, politics, sex and humor all collide during two men's 11-year journey of passion, self-discovery and adventure.Two men with very different political positions meet in 1973 as we follow their story well into the 80's. Experience many of the political and social commentaries of the time. A huge project on a tight budget, but Miles Swain comes respectably close to pulling it off. 6/10
- DirectorRussell MulcahyStarsSigourney WeaverHenry CzernyRyan KelleyTrue story of Mary Griffith, gay rights crusader, whose teenage son committed suicide due to her religious intolerance. Based on the book of the same title by Leroy Aarons.Sigourney Weaver slams this one home as a right-wing bible bashing nut who can't accept that her son is gay. This will leave you shaking your head, wondering why it takes such tragedy before people open their eyes to what's really important. 6/10
- DirectorKareem MortimerStarsJohnny FerroStephen Tyrone WilliamsMargaret Laurena KempThe story of two young Bahamian men who fall in love with each other and portrays the homophobia of the Bahamian society.Set in the Bahamas, this expansion of the short movie Float is a slowly paced poetic love story with wonderful cinematography. The original story is expanded with a new narrative about anti-gay sentiment in Jamaican society which, rather than blend, pulls in a different direction. The cliché to end the film was disappointing. 6/10
- DirectorWilliam FriedkinStarsKenneth NelsonPeter WhiteLeonard FreyTempers fray and true selves are revealed when a heterosexual accidentally intrudes on a homosexual party.Important for our history, politics and art, the stage play and film were truly ground-breaking in the late 60's and early 70's. Forty years on, it can still hit uncomfortably close to home. The 40th anniversary dvd has excellent documentaries. Many of the actors are no longer with us. 6/10
- DirectorMarco KreuzpaintnerStarsRobert StadloberKostja UllmannMiriam MorgensternA close friendship between two crew teammates is tested when one slowly discovers he's gay and attracted to the other.Although this film features a likable and handsome German cast, there are problems with the script that prevented me from finding the essential emotional involvement. There are a number of coming-out and coming-of-age movies that do better, without needing to ram the message home so forcefully. German with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorOlivier DucastelJacques MartineauStarsGilbert MelkiValeria Bruni TedeschiSabrina SeyvecouFor summer vacation, Marc (Melki) and Béatrix (Tedeschi) take their two kids to the seaside house of Marc's youth, where their daughter takes up with a biker and their sons roams the beach with his best friend, who is in love with him. Things get steamier when Béatrix's lover Mathieu shows up, and Marc's old flame appears.Fun, light and worthwhile. This French semi-farce offers a fresh Mediterranean breeze to the gay film genre. Issues of sexuality are offered with tongue-in-cheek simplicity. The complexity of human sexual desire is well illustrated in colourful situations and humorous plot twists. This is a style that the French do well. French with subtitles 6/10
- DirectorRoger SpottiswoodeStarsStockard ChanningShane MeierWendy CrewsonOpenly gay college student Matthew Shepard (Shane Meier) was murdered in an act of a hate crime with a senseless violence and such cruelty that attracted global attention. His death has changed the whole world forever.Once this horrific crime had occurred, the wider story needed to recorded and shown to a wide audience. Stockard Channing and Sam Waterston are assets to the project. As a side-note, the jittery special effects used throughout became quite distracting. 6/10
- DirectorYolanda García SerranoJuan Luis IborraStarsConcha VelascoGeorges CorrafaceSilkeA comedic look at the love lives of 14 different people and how they interconnect during one hot August afternoon around the Plaza del Sol in Madrid, Spain.A busy farce centred on the coincidental meeting of numerous characters in the heart of Madrid. Gay characters form a significant part of the ensemble and are depicted in a frank and meaningful way. Light and refreshingly fun. Spanish with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorEddie O'FlahertyStarsEddie JonesJ.P. DavisChristina ChambersAn aging trainer and a young fighter, both in need of a second chance, team-up to overcome the demons of their past...and chase the dreams of their future.In the style of Gods and Monsters, this drama is set around the boxing ring. Eddie Jones is convincing as a fifty-something school teacher who takes on training a young boxer. Not without issues, but worth a look. 6/10
- DirectorStéphane GiustiStarsJean-Michel PortalMarcial Di Fonzo BoMathilde SeignerThis is a combination coming out and first love story. The swimmer and diver Lucard is interested in attractive Martin. The film follows the characters' coming out with all its difficulties, the bitter-sweet pleasures of first love and the dreadful moment when one comes down to reality and realizes that one's beloved friend has a hard way to go yet. The positive message the film tries to transmit is the somewhat common motto "Live each day of your life as if it were your last."Made for French TV, this movie covers plenty of ground including coming-out, a love story and an AIDS drama. It has a quirky charm and is unusually structured. Notable is the portrayal of a presumably straight man falling for a gay man and embracing gay sex. French with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorOlivier DucastelJacques MartineauStarsAriane AscarideJimmy TavaresJonathan ZaccaïMy Life on Ice presents the unique point of view of 16-year-old Etienne, a cute would-be ice skating champion living in provincial Rouen who is obsessed with filming his daily life with a digital camera. Told from his subjective perspective, the focus of Etienne's video diary subtly takes shape as he records his single mother, his best friend Ludovic, and, almost stalker-like, his handsome male geography teacher Laurent. Though explaining his goal is to match his mother with Laurent, he gradually comes to the realization that other unconscious desires are motivating him, as hinted at in an intense discussion with Ludovic about the possibility of love between men.Coming-of-age story of a young gay man who films people with his video camera. It is unique because the movie is entirely shown through the lens of the boy's camera, documentary style, without narration. This technique certainly won't appeal to everyone, but I found it quite interesting. French with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorCraig ChesterStarsCraig ChesterMalcolm GetsParker PoseyFollows two New York city couples -- one heterosexual and one gay who explore the peaks and the valleys of their respective relationships.What a joy to find this funny, sharp-witted and incisive romantic comedy about the rocky road to love for a gay couple ... a committed, monogamous gay couple who look, talk and act like human beings! Many films have tried, this one comes incredibly close. 6/10
- DirectorAdrian ShergoldStarsTom BeardJames BellamyRobin BerryA chronicle of 36 hours in the lives of a number of interconnected gay men in Clapham, South London.Stereotypical and feeling dated, this exploration into the lives of various gay and bi men features powerful scenes involving a teenage boy and older man that are intimate and moving and also disturbing. 6/10
- DirectorJon ShearStarsDan FuttermanScott DennyPaige TurcoA series of urban legends take place around the life of a troubled man who is searching New York City for a mysterious stranger.An unusual and complicated movie, weaving urban legends into the main narrative. Follow the search for inner peace after an horrific experience leaves the lead character lonely and traumatized. Worth the work required. 6/10
- DirectorCesc GayStarsFernando RamalloJordi VilchesMarieta OrozcoA Spanish coming of age story focusing on the antics of two 17 year olds, who have a posh beach house almost all to themselves one summer. This is also a summer of sexual awakenings.Believable exploration of sexual awakening where two friends are headed in different directions yet manage to support each other and continue to value their friendship. European films really capture the authenticity of these situations. Spanish with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorGreg BerlantiStarsTimothy OlyphantDean CainZach BraffAn insight into the turbulent lives and loves of a gay clique based in Los Angeles.From the co-writer of "Dawsons Creek" comes this ensemble driven look into the lives and loves of a group of gay friends in West Hollywood. It offers diverse characters and an authenticity that is rare for the comedy genre. 6/10
- DirectorSébastien LifshitzStarsJérémie ElkaïmStéphane RideauMarie MatheronMathieu, 18, spends the summer at his mother's summer house, in Brittany. On the beach, he meets Cédric, a boy his age. A love-story begins between the two boys.Told as a series of flashbacks and avoiding a traditional narrative, this complex film offers an opportunity to think and feel. The story of two young men who meet and part, with an emphasis on the troubled emotional journey of one. French with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorTim KirkmanStarsKip PardueMichael KellyTess HarperThree overlapping stories of estranged families in three regions of North Carolina.A quiet, gently paced character study with solid character development and great imagery of North Carolina coastline. Three overlapping stories on different time lines require your attention, but eventually come together in a moving conclusion. Not perfect, but very solid. 6/10
- DirectorRobert AltmanStarsMatthew ModineMichael WrightMitchell LichtensteinFour young soldiers waiting to be shipped to Viet Nam deal with racial tension and their own intolerance when one soldier reveals he's gay.An intensely serious and heavy drama about the issues of homophobia and racism in the US Armed Forces. It's set in an army barracks where the men will at any moment be sent to Vietnam for active war duty . Adapted from a stage play, the camera never leaves the room, ensuring the viewer feels caged. 6/10
- DirectorBrian SloanStarsAlexis ArquetteChristian MaelenLuna Lauren VelezA screwball comedy about a gay couple at a straight couple's wedding.A well-intentioned gay romantic comedy with some clever moments. The characters are broadly drawn but still believable, and the plot stretches credibility but still manages to work.The movie has some amusing throwaway lines and doesn't tip-toe around the gay characters. 6/10