Wednesday, October 20, 2004
De-Lovely
Directed by Irwin Winkler
De-lovely is a bio pic of the legendary songwriter, Cole Porter who wrote classic American popular songs that were used in theatre and Hollywood movies during its golden era. I must admit I have my prejudices but I can barely tolerate 2 hours of show tunes without going mad? Besides, I never like musicals.
In De-lovely, Irwin Winkler tries to recreate the Hollywood musical as he uses film techniques used during that era. It’s a reminiscent trip and a tribute to the great songwriter whom I must admit has written quite a few good songs.
Musicals, are however by definition, often, lacking in plot and in this case, it is even more difficult to be entranced (unless you are there just for the numbers) because we are never moved along by the sluggish narrative.
However, De-lovely steers away from the musical at certain points. E.g. Porter by the deathbed of Linda. It is uncustomary of this genre to show death and sickness.
Another contention point is Porter’s closeted gay life. It is reduced to a bourgeois decadent way of life. The impression that this movie gives is that Porter is a straight man who merely has a “deviant” sexual preference, who has never fell in love with any man.
Kevin Kline was a gay characters in his previous movie “In and Out” which portrays gay men as nancy boys.
These are the types of Hollywood movies that gay men should resist because it reinforces the stereotypes of gay men.
In a year of thirteen moons
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
One of those avant garde directors.
The most haunting sequence in this highly personal film is the butchery of the cows.One is unlikely to consume any beef after seeing the gore.
Directed by Irwin Winkler
De-lovely is a bio pic of the legendary songwriter, Cole Porter who wrote classic American popular songs that were used in theatre and Hollywood movies during its golden era. I must admit I have my prejudices but I can barely tolerate 2 hours of show tunes without going mad? Besides, I never like musicals.
In De-lovely, Irwin Winkler tries to recreate the Hollywood musical as he uses film techniques used during that era. It’s a reminiscent trip and a tribute to the great songwriter whom I must admit has written quite a few good songs.
Musicals, are however by definition, often, lacking in plot and in this case, it is even more difficult to be entranced (unless you are there just for the numbers) because we are never moved along by the sluggish narrative.
However, De-lovely steers away from the musical at certain points. E.g. Porter by the deathbed of Linda. It is uncustomary of this genre to show death and sickness.
Another contention point is Porter’s closeted gay life. It is reduced to a bourgeois decadent way of life. The impression that this movie gives is that Porter is a straight man who merely has a “deviant” sexual preference, who has never fell in love with any man.
Kevin Kline was a gay characters in his previous movie “In and Out” which portrays gay men as nancy boys.
These are the types of Hollywood movies that gay men should resist because it reinforces the stereotypes of gay men.
In a year of thirteen moons
Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder
One of those avant garde directors.
The most haunting sequence in this highly personal film is the butchery of the cows.One is unlikely to consume any beef after seeing the gore.
