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List Price: $19.98 | | Label: New Line Home Video
Salesrank: 13804
Released: May 4, 2004 |
| Our Price: $11.99 |
| Used Price: $4.91 |
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MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
An on-screen adaptation of the Tony- award-winning play about a Jewish homosexual who, except for a different sexual preference, goes through the same struggles of love, jealousy and self-doubt that affect us all.
Description of Torch Song Trilogy:
Harvey Fierstein had a smash hit on Broadway with the stage version of this story about a drag queen, but whatever the magic there was doesn't show up in this film adaptation. (Fierstein allegedly couldn't line up an A-list or even B-list director in 1988 to tackle the gay story line, so he agreed to work with Paul Bogart, a ubiquitous television director but an undistinguished feature filmmaker.) Fierstein's performance is fine, but likely a shadow of his live work, while Anne Bancroft is very strong in the role of his character's mother. Matthew Broderick went against the tide of fear shared by most Hollywood actors at the time about playing gay characters. The times have certainly changed since then. --Tom Keogh
Torch Song Trilogy Reviews:
Growing Up with Torch Song... 
2009-11-17 - In a small, damp-ish, basement theater on Sheridan Square (West Village, New York, N.Y.), I came into contact with Harvey and Torch Song for the first time. The story has transended many media changes and has come through with flying colors (all represented in the Gay Flag).
Many a Gay man has used Torch Song as their Primer for a basic life's plan. Many have curled into comfortable positions to look back upon their own experiences, their lifes and their loves. I feel sorry for the "Young Ones" of today because they will never know the excitement(s), the pleasures and sometimes the bittersweet taste of life that many of us have been lucky enough to live in real life.
Thanks for the memories, Harvey. What would we have done without you and Torch Song Trilogy.
Torch Song Trilogy
2009-11-02 - Wonderful "gay film" shows all the probles that gay people just to have years ago, knowing this kind of things don't happen (very often) today.
SingleGayMale
2009-10-04 - Great Movie !!! Matthew B. Pays a great role . And performs excellent , this is back when playing a Gay Man got rumors that you could be gay. Thanks to Matthew B , this is the beginning of straight actors playing gay men and doing a great job.
'Torch Song' was definitely ahead of its time...
2009-09-28 - It's somewhat ridiculous to think that the best movie to touch upon subjects and issues important today in the gay civil rights struggle was made over 20 years ago...but it's true.
In 'Torch Song Trilogy', Harvey Fierstein had the courage to not only tackle issues like homophobia and gay bashing, gay adoption and gay marriage but to tackle them through the eyes of a drag queen. I do not say that because I think drag queens should not be part of our movement but because there are people who feel they should be relegated to the background. It would have been easier for Mr. Fierstein then, and even now, to portray the character of Arnold as a "normal" guy (i.e. not in drag, and not flamboyant).
Mr. Fierstein's excellent writing and great performance, however, handled each of these subjects so well and gave his character so much pride and dignity and compassion that it would be hard for even the staunchest of gay conservatives to deny him and his movie a place at the top of gay-themed movies and performances.
'Torch Song Trilogy' was and still is ahead of its time...and I feel it has yet to be honored for the brilliant film that it is. The fact that this film from 1988 can still speak to us, especially today with the struggle for the recognition and respect of gay families, is reason enough to applaud the work of Mr. Fierstein.
It's been well over a decade since I first watched this film as a teenager and I remember thinking afterwards how no movie can ever touch on so much in such a great way ever again. Now, having reached my 30's, I still have that same thought.
Thank you Mr. Fierstein!
Torch Song Trilogy
2009-05-02 - I had Torch Song Trilogy 1997 and gave a friend
this film. Often I had thought on one.
Now, I am happy. I like...it is very nice.
Harvey Fierstein could plays more such roles.
Maybe...
