KnotMissPriceless Why so much hype?

VividSimon Simply Perfect

Zandra The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Jason Shaw Harvey Fierstein started performing as a drag artist in Manhattan clubs from the age of 15; even before that age he knew he was just a bit different. He became widely known on the New York club circuit and was more often than not to be found playing drag roles in off off Broadway shows. Following a bad break-up Harvey set about writing a play detailing the difficult and painful experience, this became the play 'The International Stud' and was presented in New York during 1976. The play introduced the character of Arnold Beckoff to the world, writing a further two semi-autobiographical plays about Arnold's life. Eventually Harvey conjoined and amalgamated these three plays into just one, 'Torch Song Trilogy' which, had its stage debut off off Broadway in 1981, where it ran for almost 1230 performances.Torch Song Trilogy was adapted from stage for cinema and came out in 1998, directed by Paul Bogart and not surprisingly starring Harvey as Arnold Beckoff. Also included in the cast were Brian Kerwin, sexy stunner Matthew Broderick, screen legend Anne Bancroft and infamous American female impersonator Charles Pierce. The play version ran for over four hours, something not possible in film and thus many cuts, exclusions and edits had to be employed to bring it down to a studio demanded running time of two hours. Without wishing to ignore the onset of AIDS whilst also not wishing to alter the entire fabric of the story the time line of the movie was shifted back several years, started in 1971. It is a deeply affecting film, emotional and funny to the extreme and yet it works marvellously well, which I am sure is thanks mainly to the authentic way Harvey tells it as Arnold. There are such wonderful moments, high drama, deep sadness and almost unbridled joy, that watching Torch Song Trilogy could be considered of riding on a roller coaster of emotions. However, that should be seen as and is indeed a good thing; it allows you scope to feel things that perhaps you had not even noticed in yourself, or others. It gives you the power to see the good and bad in the characters of others, in all our Technicolor differences.Read more and find out where this film made it in the Top 50 Most Influential Gay Movies of All Time book, search on Amazon for Top 50 Most Influential Gay Movies of All Time, or visit - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007FU7HPO 

Michael Neumann Award winning writer actor Harvey Fierstein portrays a shy and loveless cabaret artist who comes to terms with his bisexual lover, with the man of his dreams, and finally (in a heartbreaking confrontation sure to leave a lump in even the most stoic of throats) with his homophobic, harpy mother. The strengths of the film are those of any adapted stage play, but this isn't just another theater piece arbitrarily transferred to the screen. The original three acts have been married into one sustained narrative, with the cosmetic benefits of skillful editing and camera-work to help smooth the rougher transitions. Of course it's Fierstein himself who holds the film together, showing a wonderful, subtle blend of confidence and insecurity, with eloquent body language and expressive facial tics reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin, and with a voice best described as unique.

allen-crump I first saw this film as a young(er) gay man and enjoyed it immensely! It has camp humour, failing relationships, serious comment on mother/son relationships and the gorgeous Matthew Broderick. What more could you ask for in a film? As a post-aids story of a bitchy and very funny Jewish drag queen this hits home it's social comment in a vibrant and brash manner. In particular the scene with Arnold and his mother at the cemetery packs an emotional punch. Anne Bancroft is superb as the dry and ever critical mother. I'd recommend this film to anyone (regardless of sexual orientation) looking for laughter, pathos, larger than life characters and tragedy all mixed together in a wonderful, chaotic and sometimes touching movie.

FabienMorisset Watching Torch song trilogy on DVD was such an incredible experience. I had seen it as a teenager (being now 34). It had helped me get through my homosexuality. Showing ways and means of understanding life within a minority. Years after, I had found the original score which i have adored since then. To talk about the movie itself, the first half an hour was a bit old (apart from the second scene which is still so moving from the very start), but as soon as you get the hang of it, you can only let yourself be dragged by the amazing talent of the actors. The montage is perfect and so is everything in this eternal jewel. Watch it once and you'll want to watch it forever and ever.