Parting Glances (1986)

Lack of good storyline.

Better Late Then Never

Clever, believable, and super fun to watch. It totally has replay value.

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

I watched Parting Glances last night after seeing it 30 years ago. I had forgotten how much this movie played a part in determining the course of my life. The power it had over me then came back in a rush last night.I was living in Germany in 1986 and after watching the film I knew I had to break up with my boyfriend at the time return to NYC and get my MBA. After another stint working in Germany post-MBA I met the man who has been my life partner for 22 years now. He grew up on the UWS and I thought he was the most handsome man I had ever met. I returned again to NYC. I hate to say something so cheesy but I felt we were like Michael and Robert in the film - although my love for Curtis hasn't changed in all the time we've been together.The characters and the situation in the movie capture the mood in NYC of the mid-80's - both the good and the bad. NYC has changed so much since then and in many ways I long for what seems to me to have been a freer time and place, despite the tragedy of AIDS that was taking place.

Forget about "Making Love", "Cruising" and "Partners". "Parting Glances" is where real gay filmmakers began putting their ideas onto screen, much like writers had been doing on stage for years. "Parting Glances" is set in Manhattan where two lovers (Richard Ganoung and John Bolger) prepare to part while Bolger goes overseas on a long business venture. Ganoung's ex-lover (Steve Buscemi, in his break-out role) is HIV positive and possibly dying, and Bolger knows that he risks loosing Ganoung while he's gone. A group of their friends (hosted by "The Drew Carey Show's" Kathy Kinney, as far from Mimi here as she can be) show up for a surprise farewell party in her SoHo apartment, and like the party of "Boys in the Band" and those in gay cult classics "Auntie Mame" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's", will be unforgettable.It is here where the audience meets all sorts of gay prototypes, from a former priest still to shy to fully accept his homosexuality, the cute "twink" record store clerk with a crush on Ganoung, the wealthy but overweight queen who seems to "buy" companionship, and the various artistic types, both straight and gay, who interject some minor conflicts into the proceedings. There's also a visit to a Chelsea Club where the music of Bronski Beat is heard in the background to give the film a true 80's feel.The film has some very slow moments (particularly a dinner party with Bolger's boss and his wife) which are important in setting up various plot elements, but once you get to Kinney's party, its all set to go. Kinney is unforgettable, her warm-hearted pal so comfortable that you long to have her in your own circle. (I can say, having met Ms. Kinney, that this is very close to her own personality rather than the obnoxious, overly mascara'd Mimi). Bolger, best known for his long-term roles on half a dozen soaps (he'd just come off of "Guiding Light" as Philip Spaulding), adds charm to his "Ken Doll" character, while Ganoung and Buscemi really do sparkle together in their prankish scenes as the still friendly ex's. (Their revenge against the portly queen in one of the final scenes is hysterical, even if it is a bit cruel spirited...) This film for me had a very special meaning in the mid 1980's as it gave me the courage to open up to myself the truth of my own sexuality, and I'm sure it had the same influence on others afraid to come out during the early years of HIV. The issue is strongly dealt with through Ganoung's character who vows to fight Washington while dealing with his knowledge that Buscemi might succumb to AIDS eventually. These characters are really identifiable in the gay world of Manhattan (pre-technology obsessed), and as a film, this remains an important piece of art that has now become a gay classic.

I originally watched with movie too see Steve Buscemi, but it turned out to be a lot better then I was expecting. The story between Micheal and Robert is very sweet, but at the same time bittersweet knowing Micheal is still in love Nick, who is also dying of AIDS. This wasn't a 'feel-back-for-Nick-because-he's-dying' thing with Nick though. It was as though he excepted his illness, but wasn't going to let it control his entire life (like going on tour. He's a musician). At the same time, there were parts where you could see that Nick was still scared about his situation. One thing about this movie that caught my attention, was the music. Afer I bought this film, there was information on the movie and it said that Bill Sherwood was a music major. So while he was filming, he could hear the music playing in his head. Overall, this is a good film. I'm glad I found out about it.

Parting Glances is a wonderful film. Steve Buscemi plays a man who has AIDS but this is not an AIDS movie, it is a movie about love and friendship. John Bolger, who later played Gabe McNamara a police chief on the soap opera Another World, plays a man who is leaving his lover to take a job in Africa. His reasons for leaving are examined and challenged all to the tune of a delightful score by Brahms with Mozart in counterpoint. A visit from a character from Don Giovanni provides a delightful interlude. Fans of The Drew Carey show will enjoy the performance of Kathy Kinney in a role that is almost a mirror image of Mimi.