What did you think of The Boys In The Band? Comment below! I'll have a review coming out very soon!

@Solutions3000

3 жыл бұрын

1. What's the deal, between Harold and Michael? Clearly, the two share a history. 2. Whose idea was it, to have a birthday party for Harold? 3. How did Michael become the party host, given his expressed disdain for Harold? 4. What does Michael do for a living, as he indicated a lifestyle beyond his means?

@acenull0

3 жыл бұрын

It was fun and dramatic. I wish Tex (the cowboy guy) had more lines tho 😂 I love the beautiful idiot trope

@laminage

3 жыл бұрын

@@Solutions3000 They are just good friends. They may have met at a Play that Michael worked on that Harold attended. Michael loves Harold and it was his Idea that they host it at his Apartment because maybe the others didn't have enough room. He just feels that Harold (as seen in the 1970 version) that sometimes he whines over little things and is sometimes petty. Michael is an Actor and maybe a Play he did on Broadway either ended or flopped. He does what alot of folks do, live beyond his means. My Cousin does that, and you can holler, scream, threaten and reason with him but he does it to keep up with the jones, or his image. As for Alan, he's definitely on The Down Low, or his Bi Curious or Bi Questioning. He doesn't feel comfortable in that "World". Also you know that he's a WASP, who never associated with "People Of Color" unless it was in a subservient situation. Also, Alan is a grade A "Pr@ck!" Michael told him he couldn't come by, and let's face facts you never especially with a Gay Man ask to see someone on Saturday Night at the last minute. As for the Bar Scene, he's hurting, he knew he shouldn't have shown up, he shouldn't have hit Emory who could have filed charges against him, he ruined a Birthday Party and while he humiliated Michael, Michael on the other hand showed how deeply ashamed he is of being Gay. Even when he goes to Church, it's like he's trying to absolve himself of his Sins and his Desires for men.

I agree with your analysis of Alan. I think Alan staying at the party was him dipping his toe in the gay pool. He wanted an idea of what gay life was like, he wanted to know if it were truly worth him leaving his wife and children. However when he saw the misery of the gay men around him he decided to tell his wife he was sorry and wanted to go back to her. His thinking: even though I'll be miserable sexually, I won't be alone. Then after the party at the Hotel bar he begins to rethink his apology to his wife.

@Solutions3000

3 жыл бұрын

Yes. All of what you said.

@tenfourten8438

3 жыл бұрын

yess definitely

@flwrfan1752

3 жыл бұрын

I agree

@erinmaree1987

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. I actually think it was a really interesting choice. There's this notion that openly being who you are will set you free but that isn't always the key to an easy or happy life. I despise the outing and vindictiveness toward closeted people, as if they don't have their own internal battles to fight.

@73lyfe96

3 жыл бұрын

💯

I didn’t want this movie to end. I loved Hank and Larry’s relationship the most.

@zandik4741

3 жыл бұрын

Me too I loved it especially when they dance

@nunyabiznes33

2 жыл бұрын

@@zandik4741 didn't they not? Hank just focuses on his cake.

@knowledgegathererdraftsave1979

2 жыл бұрын

The actors who play Hank and Larry (Tuc Watkins and Andrew Ranells) are together in real life.

@lilymayoneill1204

2 жыл бұрын

i have some bad news for you from the sequel

@litespeedway6538

2 жыл бұрын

The 1st time I happenned upon the original film whilst late night scrolling on YT, as soon as it finished I watched it immed. again. 😍

I want this to be a Netflix series where it shows the stories of each character and their struggles,their character evolvement,how they all met ,their pasts,present, and also what happens after the ending of the movie .....I am so so fascinated by this movie

@rubybell6735

3 жыл бұрын

yessss!!!

@litespeedway6538

2 жыл бұрын

Yes! I loved the 2020 version when they teased a bit of the [love] backstories w/ visuals.😍

@AnnaBellaChannel

2 жыл бұрын

The play does have a sequel.

Alan told the person he loved, that he loved him. He told him indirectly at the party. It's clear that he broke up with the man he slept with in college because he loved Michael. Michael couldn't love anyone because, the person who he loved wasn't ready to hear it. Alan was waiting at the bar that Michael knew he drank at. And in the last scene that is where Michael is running to.

@nahomidiaz9074

3 жыл бұрын

Wow I love this! I was scared at the end he was running into traffic 🙁 your version makes me feel better

@davidthom7127

3 жыл бұрын

@@nahomidiaz9074 I also think Alan was calling Michael at the start to tell him he loved him, like the others were doing to the love of their lives, but chickened out. Because it's not a game. It's frightening to face possibly the most serious rejection anyone can ever experience.

@nahomidiaz9074

3 жыл бұрын

David Thom when the guy at the end asked Michael “did he ever tell you why he called” and he said no. Then at the end realized it and that’s why he was running! Thank you it bad me so confused but I came to KZread to look at diff point of views

@teron187

3 жыл бұрын

@@davidthom7127 my exact thoughts

@ninochandra8490

3 жыл бұрын

oh my god.. you're a genius! never thought that way before.. But I wonder if Alan would still accept michael after that evening... haha

Alan was in love with Mickey, but he didn't have the courage to talk to him

@zekeleonard5247

3 жыл бұрын

*Michael. He was pretty adamant about not being called Mickey. 💞

@milkyshi789

3 жыл бұрын

That's exactly what I think! Also, imo Michael is quite scary

@Jeronimogrim

3 жыл бұрын

Who could love someone like mickey? 😖

@Larry_is_real

11 ай бұрын

​@@JeronimogrimAlan would, and Alan does

god I was sobbing so much at the end. as a closeted lesbian who's in love with a straight girl, this movie hit hard. to be honest this is now one of my favorite movies ever. the scene w emory getting beated up made me cry alot since i got called the f slur by one of my best friends. but im glad that there's less homophobia nowadays :') UPDATE ‼️‼️ - The girl I mentioned before is bisexual, she confessed to me that she loves me. We're girlfriends now :-}

@shczzma3083

3 жыл бұрын

i’m a lesbian too. i’m only in the closet to my parents but let me tell you this, it does get better. thank god there’s less homophobia these days. and i do hope everything works out for you (ps i was also sobbing at the end like oh my goD)

@Kcgirl-we2ek

3 жыл бұрын

yeah definitely less homophobia nowadays I hope that someday you get to be yourself without caring about what others think and screw the person that called you that you don't need people like that in you life :)

@selinapoochie

3 жыл бұрын

There's less homophobia but unfortunately in many countries it's still there.

@laminage

3 жыл бұрын

Aww, I'm sorry honey. You'll meet your soulmate as for The Straight Girl, she may reject you later on if she tried to forge a relationship with you and maybe break your heart.

@ladyladiva5430

3 жыл бұрын

I love your profile pic! Thats so sweet!

I just watched it and I loved it. I'm not gay but I loved the characters and also hated them. I found the scene with Michael crying to be heartbreaking and almost tear jearking. Also I found the whole second act with the phone calling game to be wonderfully awkward and stressfull. My favourite character was hank I found him to be quite funny also the most interesting

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

It's great! I agree with you about the second act completely!

@Solutions3000

3 жыл бұрын

Just watched, a couple hours ago. Entirely held my attention. Wondered why, aside from their college connection, Alan felt comfortable (at least initially) being vulnerable with Michael.

@edglebennett6312

3 жыл бұрын

Why do people always say ( I just watched it and I love it. I'm not gay) I've never understood that, we're all strangers on KZread posting our comments nobody cares what you do in your bedroom, just say you loved the movie and move forward.

@lifelearner45lloyd97

3 жыл бұрын

Hank was care free. And a year older (32)! 😝

@lessonsinlife2768

3 жыл бұрын

@@edglebennett6312 I was just about to comment "I'm not gay but I loved the movie. The part that moved me most was..." but then I read yours. I think in saying I'm not gay, I would like to impart that even tho I am not, the movie and the actors were very good. Made me feel like I was one of them, and understood very well what they're going thru...

I think Alan was trying to overcome his own self-loathing, and hoped seeing Michael would help him accomplish that, but instead was subjected to such a sad, lonely and cruel representation of gay life, returning to his wife and family seemed the logical choice. "If we could just not hate ourselves so much." In 1968, that's the life Alan felt he'd be choosing if he were true to himself.

Spoiler alert: Alan secretly liked Michael, that's why he was crying when he called Michael at the beginning of the film. Alan was very closeted and homophobic, and the exposure to the other gay/bi men at the party made him feel even more uncomfortable with his own truth, to the point where he was terribly afraid to open up about it... However, I think if Michael hadn't had guests over that evening, there's a chance Alan would have been honest about his feelings, as it would have just been the two of them together. It was funny that he cancelled, but then showed up anyways. He felt it was very important to see Michael that evening. Michael was oblivious to Alan's feelings, as he was devoid of love and had a lot of deep issues of his own. Either Michael realises after he leaves the church that Alan has feelings for him, and that's why he's running... Or he's hurting so deep inside that he doesn't know how to go on anymore.

@Dra3000

3 жыл бұрын

I think Micheal and Alan slept together in college

@Dra3000

3 жыл бұрын

I think Micheal and Alan slept together in college

@larrygenefortin7919

3 жыл бұрын

@Punkin' Spice Exactly. They are all basically running away from themselves in some manner.

@laminage

3 жыл бұрын

@@larrygenefortin7919 No, I don't think so. I think Alan was very much attracted to Justin Stewart but was too ashamed to "act" on it. Chances are they were Students in the 1950's and it was too risky to do. I had no idea that you could go from Washington to New York in such a small period of time. Alan has a "Beef" with many of them because they were brave to do what he may have not wanted to do. In the Bar Scene, you see he's just as unhappy, he's going back to Fran and will be a proper Family Man but you know it's not what he wants.

@gr1mmy954

3 жыл бұрын

I think Michael likes Harold too because i think Michael jealous of him but also like him.🤔

Also when Michael is breaking down in front of Larry near the last act and he says how “if we didn’t hate ourselves so much.” God, that hit an emotional nerve I didn’t know could be hit.

@Larry_is_real

3 жыл бұрын

Donald, not Larry

Jim parsons totally made Justice to his character Micheal......the last scene where he broke down really moved me ! It really showed the acting potential of Jim parsons ! He can slay any kind of roles ...like a negative character in the Netflix series Hollywood , sweet and nerdy sheldon from big bang theory , also his character from the normal heart is also appreciable ❤️ Jim parsons is my favourite actor ❤️❤️ I adore him a lot ❤️ I'm sorry if my English is not that good....just wanted to share what I feel about my favourite actor ❤️🔥

@lessonsinlife2768

3 жыл бұрын

Despite knowing he's gay, I have a crush on him😉, my children are even reading me about it haha

@ViciousNarwhal

3 жыл бұрын

I love him, too He seems like the nicest guy, too

@almostscouse765

3 жыл бұрын

Your English is fine and I totally agree with you. Jim parsons is a brilliant actor.

Alan was very confusing. I just ended up thinking that he was gay but in deep denial and he's trying to keep that straight persona in check so he chose his wife at the end instead of calling the college crush

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

He is a great character to include in the movie. He held so much value in terms in the development of the narrative and also the commentary purpose for that era.

The last 35 to 40 minutes went by so quickly for me. I looked at the clock when the movie was over and noticed how it had already been nearly an hour. A very powerful watch, not to the extent I had been expecting.

I enjoyed this movie. I found Micheal hard to like especially the forceful nature of the telephone game and basically outing Alan against his will ..but..in the last scene I felt sorry for him as he will never truly be comfortable with who he was

@ptlbeverley

3 жыл бұрын

I think Jim Parsons plays a very hard-to-like Michael. In the 1970 film version, Michael starts off witty and charming and only really turns vicious after Alan's homophobic comment about Emory being "a goddamned little pansy" (which he then inadvertently makes worse by saying "that's such an awful thing to say about anybody") puts him in a sour, vengeful mood. Parsons plays him as visibly neurotic and spiteful from the first moment, which makes some sense with the character but can be a tough watch at times.

@nunyabiznes33

2 жыл бұрын

@@ptlbeverley never saw the 70s film. Felt really awkward with that whole scene that at some points I just facepalm and pause and switch tabs. If I was at that party I'd gtfo.

Jim Parsons is the best thing I have seen in this year. Powerfull, brutal, toxic, sweet and profundly human

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

I have never seen him in anything other than The Big Bang Theory and I feel he really did distance himself from Sheldon which would have been difficult after playing the same character for over a decade!

@paulagomez5641

3 жыл бұрын

@@BrainPilot Totally true. Pure talent

@chasingnirvana4671

3 жыл бұрын

I ended up watching all his filmography in the past two weeks and my admiration for this lovely lovely man just skyrocketed🥺❤️

@paulagomez5641

3 жыл бұрын

@@chasingnirvana4671 It's one of those performances that make you fall in love

@JanetCoop

3 жыл бұрын

@@paulagomez5641 Did you know that he broke his foot shortly after beginning the play's run, and that he wore a cast and a boot onstage?? And was still able to give an amazing performance every time out??

Yes I agree. Alan reminds me of a couple of different guys I went to school with in the 90s. Had a connection with me BECAUSE I was gay, I know for sure they were gay/bi, but major internalized homophobia. They both had/have wifes, kids, and talk smack about gays as if they were straight and disgusted by the thought.

@laminage

3 жыл бұрын

Exactly! E. (For Everett) Lynn Harris (RIP) did some amazing Books about Black Gay Males his first Book was called "Invisible Life" where there was a Minor Character John "Basil" Henderson who is "Homophobic" but he's on The Down Low and for the next 10 Years had a Cat-Mouse Relationship with Raymond Winston Tyler Jr., an Attorney.

@stjohnssoup

5 ай бұрын

Why do all gays think everyone is gay?

You said Hank was a straight man who left his wife for a man. No. Hank was at the very least bi, but in those days it is more likely he was a gay man who chose to try to lead a heterosexual life that was the only socially acceptable option at that time. A very common practice then. And most likely Alan had done the same.

@dimetrodonz

3 жыл бұрын

bisexual wasnt a very common or well known term during the time this film takes place but michael did say hank "swings both ways" so i believe hank is bi. because he also talked about how he truly believed that he loved his wife.

@laminage

3 жыл бұрын

@@dimetrodonz Exactly! Paul Anthony Stewart who played Casey Bowman on Loving and Danny Santos on Guiding Light for about Seven Years was later to be acknowledged as Bisexual. He also played Don Kirshner on Broadway in Carole about The Singer/Songwriter Carole King. What was so eerie was when his Cousin Tony Santos played by Jordi Vilaluso said to Danny "You Can Count On Me, I'm You're Man!" and Danny says "You're Not My Man!"

@fuckwit107

3 жыл бұрын

I think he means straight man as in the more serious and masculine counterpart keeping his composure, rather than heterosexual.

@rageagainstthemicrowave1313

3 жыл бұрын

@@dimetrodonz yeah I think bisexual people, as now, were common it's just that the term only really picked up post Stonewall as far as I'm aware. I've heard another older term for bi was ac/dc but only found that out recently.

god i loved this film. i haven’t felt the feeling of wanting to latch on to all of their stories after it had ended in a while. i remember watching the trailer and loving it so i had to watch it when it came out. i didn’t realise how emotional i would be by the end. i sort of relate to a few of the characters, definitely michael and weirdly also harold. i related to michael in the sense that i tried to bury my gayness deep down for a very long time. but now i relate to harold. this relation just made me love the film more and more. it was an emotional rollercoaster because i literally had no idea what to expect. all i knew was there was a group of gay guys in the 60s having a party. wow. also, love the video!

Alan was in love with Micheal !! He even calls him Mickey for God's sake !! Micheal hates himself too much to think that he deserves love. But at the very end he realizes his mistake and he runs to the bar he frequents where Alan is.

@JanetCoop

3 жыл бұрын

The character that (director) Joe Mantello plays in "The Normal Heart" is also named Michael but is called "Mickey"...

@NinjaAdorable

3 жыл бұрын

@@JanetCoop no one else in his friend group calls him Mickey tho....

I think Alan was in love with Michael

I loved this film. The acting was fantastic. Kudos.

I have seen the original several times over my lifetime, and I must say that the NEW version is one that I understand and "get". Perhaps the rhythm and cadence now is one that reflects my own time on this planet, whereas the previous version did not. I was born in '65, so my life experience is different than what the actors and characters in the original had. Oh, and Alan should have been charged with assault.

@Larry_is_real

11 ай бұрын

Back in '68, Alan wouldn't have been charged with assaulting a gay man. The police would've turned things inside out, and probably locked up Emory instead

Perhaps, he thought that Michael was the only one he knew or could talk to about the fact that he was questioning however once he saw the toxic levels at which Michael hates himself, he may have been scared straight- figuratively.

I loved the movie. I saw the play in NYC in 2018 with this cast and loved that as well. The strange thing is, here we are in 2020 with all the changes and advances that have been made since 1968 and there are still a lot of men who feel today, as Alan did then. That they can't really be themselves, and that is very sad.

In his own way Alan admires Hank for being "Brave" enough to leave his Wife for a "Man". He wishes he could do the same thing but he's too scared to do so.

I agree. Alan had internalized homophobia. In the time period, he was afraid n didn't know how to come out. He wanted to, but he is disgusted with himself n has self-hate. And that's why he acts that way around the other boys in the band.

I think you are right about Alan *in this film*. But Alan can be played either way, and it works because the script keeps his story ambiguous. I have seen it done both ways and each interpretation affects the other characters differently. If he is closeted gay, then the other men find someone in Alan who they believe is their inferior. Because for all their problems, they have owned up to who they are, at least to themselves. This scenario is a bit more human and makes Alan more sympathetic. If Alan is straight, then he is the avatar of everything that oppresses them in society. And for once, the gay men in the apartment outnumber the token straight guy. They can torture him and he can't fight back. That choice brings out the cruelty of the situation - which of course mirrors the cruelty forced upon the gay men every day.

This movie hits hard because I'm in love with a straight man and I suppress this feeling to ensure he maintain his happiness.

@g4l173

3 жыл бұрын

You are strong and you are not alone many of us are there and have been there ❤️

What did Michael give Harold as a gift tho?

@jobeyy

3 жыл бұрын

wow yes i was wondering about this too!

@nahomidiaz9074

3 жыл бұрын

Punkin' Spice did you watch the short docuseries on Netflix after? There’s a picture of someone holding that picture that Michael gave Harold and it looks like a pic of Harold but I could be wrong.

@adaca4018

3 жыл бұрын

@@nahomidiaz9074 what’s the name of it?

@christophervalenti5214

3 жыл бұрын

@@adaca4018 it’s called boys in the band “something personal” it’s a half hour giving the story of how it came together it’s on Netflix as well

@laminage

3 жыл бұрын

@Pumpkin I think it was a Picture of them together. Also their relationship was like Queer As Folk (UK/US). Vincent is in love with Stuart who starts sleeping with Nathan, meanwhile in The Pilot of Queer As Folk (US), which was filmed in Toronto because they were more open to certain things, Debbie tells Michael (The US Counterpart Of Vincent) that she wished he could meet someone to "get over" Brian.

Awesome analysis! This movie is wonderful!

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the video

I thought that Michael running at the end of the movie was showing him running away from all the mess that he made within his friend group. As it was said in the start that he runs away a lot, I thought that he was leaving everything and running away. Also the line he said towards the end while crying, really made me so sad and brought tears to my eyes. Also, could anyone tell me why Matt Bomer's character was there? He just seemed really invisible until the end of the movie.

@chubshubs7459

3 жыл бұрын

Keren Mathew I think Bomer’s character Donald was there for Michael cause of his history of blacking out when drinking. We hear Harold say something and Donald replied that he “[wasn’t going anywhere]” and that was in the heat of the game. It seemed the two of them don’t have a good relationship either and I think it has to do with Michael. Also at the very end with Michael’s breakdown Donald pulled out the pills and also said (from my vague memory) “I was worried about this”

@kerenmathew4485

3 жыл бұрын

@@chubshubs7459 Thank you.

@cmaragoudakis

3 жыл бұрын

Matt Bomer’s character Donald was there for at least three reasons. He and Michael had a fling in the past but are now best friends, even though Michael still yearns for Donald. You can tell that by looking at Michael’s expressions as Donald is getting ready before the party. Donald is also there to further Larry and Hank’s conflict with the past encounter that Donald and Larry had. And finally, you can see the jealousy and animosity between Donald and Harold, in that they both probably feel like they’re each Michael’s best friend and don’t like each other as a result.

@kerenmathew4485

3 жыл бұрын

@@cmaragoudakis Thank you so much.

I think you summed Alan up Perfectly.👍

Well said! Very well said. Absolutely 👍🏾👍🏾

For Alan, going back to Fran is like going back into his Safety Zone. He sees the chaos, hostility, heartbreak and the "things" they did in terms of his Sexuality. He won't and can't live like that because it would be too hard for him and his reputation as a Lawyer would be damaged beyond repair.

@nunyabiznes33

2 жыл бұрын

His shocked reaction to Hank's subway story I think showed that he ain't doing that any time soon.

@laminage

Жыл бұрын

@@nunyabiznes33 Yes. Also The Bathroom is synonymous in LGBT Culture. George Michael got busted for cruising in Beverly Hills, then Sal Romano is at a Phone Booth after he got fired from Sterling Cooper in Central Park, Halston cruised alot at Parks and on both The UK/US Version of Queer As Folk both Characters Stuart (UK) and Brian (US), kicked it with Men in The Bathroom, also in England Men cruise using a special Langauge and Olivier Boseman's Book has a Teenager who does "Special" Films in the 1950's gets arrested for cruising and his Stepfather beats the mess out of him but he fixes both his Mother & Stepfather.

I just watched the film and I love it. One of the best things about it, I think we can all agree is how the ending is all left up to us as the audience to interpret for ourselves and in our own way. Particularly with Alan and Michael and what Alan wanted to tell Michael that he never found out and ergo therefore neither do we. I agree completely with your interpretation here. I truly believe that Alan calls Michael several times and shows up at his home and the party because he’s always known that Michael is gay and that he himself always has been too but society at the time made it illegal and not widely acceptable for a person to be gay and be open that they were and that Alan needed someone like him to open up to who would understand him and what he’s going/been though. More than that, while Alan likely wanted to tell Michael that he was gay, I believe he also wanted to tell him that he’s always had feelings for/been in love with Michael, yet none of that’s revealed or said and rather for us to believe and interpret for ourselves. The irony there, if that is the truth is that Alan prides himself that he’s heterosexual but he’s torn up inside that he is because he’s left his wife, and he’s scared of coming to terms with who he is despite his first experience and encounter of a whole group of all openly gay men who are friends with each other and living openly in a society that shames them and doesn’t accept them for who they are. And he also is likely scared of his feelings for Michael because he doesn’t know if he might feel the same way about him and more what it means for him with all of the choices he’s made in his life to deny who he is. That he’s ashamed of being ashamed that he’s gay and might have thought that having a wife and kids is taking the easy way out but the fact is that that is never the easy way to circumnavigate the truth about who you are. Alan obviously wanted to feel worthy and have the world accept him and that’s why he lived that lie. More on the irony, the fact that Alan likely feels that way and Michael feels the same but in the opposite way: He has been open but is ashamed that he’s open despite all of his openly gay friends, he wishes that he wasn’t gay and that he could have the life that Alan his best friend has had all his life, but Michael avoids having to be open about his insecurities and trauma because as we all see he prides himself on being clever and insightful, that he can see into everyone else - be their mirror for them and get them to dig deep inside and confront their own inner demons to avoid having to admit the truth about himself or to completely open up to those closest to him. Though, Harold, his frenemy completely highlights all this at the end of the phone game to Michael by saying that and no matter what he says or does he can’t just change who he is even if he is afraid and ashamed of himself. That’s Michael’s problem, that he is too clever, when he confronts Alan and tries to get him to admit that he’s gay and call the guy he hooked up with in college, Justin, that’s why Alan calls his wife and says he wants her back and leaves because Michael was right that he is gay and wanted to tell him that but he chooses to continue living a lie, but I believe that Alan also did it because despite Michael being so insightful, he couldn’t see it for himself the whole truth that Alan wanted to tell him that he’s in love with him and maybe Michael couldn’t see that because his own inner torments make it difficult for him to love, be loved by or to see and know if someone truly loves him; or rather that’s what we can interpret from all of the hints and subtle indicators that the film shows us.

It was good but very confusing bc they was reading each other like an elementary book

@ashtinwalker6102

3 жыл бұрын

Old friends can do that

@Solutions3000

3 жыл бұрын

What made that part confusing?

@jalenwhite2520

3 жыл бұрын

E. M. Sturdivant Gallieshaw so the main character and the birthday boy, you could tell they were friends, but like with witty exchanges and condescending insults, they made me wonder why their friendship dynamic was so odd.

@ErenMortel

3 жыл бұрын

It’s gay culture. Plus, this movie was originally a play, so maybe thats where the odd lines of communication come from

@fuckwit107

3 жыл бұрын

Honestly I loved Zachary Quinto's delivery, I thought it really fleshed out his character and it works with his low timbre. As another comment said, it's a play adaptation and I'm sure they performed it as such before making the film.

I think despite of his sexual identity, Alan has more important role in this story. Alan is the conflict. His indecisiveness creates tension to some of the characters and shakes the characters beliefs of themselves.

I agree, and I think a telling part of it is that Alan makes a couple of efforts to be alone whilst not leaving the party when he goes to be sick, and then has a lie down. What was he doing all that time? It could genuinely be homophobic nausea, but I think he was having a moment to let his mind whirl, and assess the situation. I think also, Alan's sexuality is unknown to him. I don't think it's as simple as deciding it's worth being gay and out, but instead about trying to make sense at that niggling same-sex attraction at the back of his mind (inevitably getting harder and harder to ignore). This party forced Alan to confront it

@Larry_is_real

11 ай бұрын

Agreed

thank you!

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

No need to thank me!

i honestly think that alan is bisexual and that he had a fling with his friend in college but met his wife and settled down.

I’ve watched the 1970 Boys In The Band film now as well, and there’s a small bit of dialogue in that version that wasn’t included in the Netflix remake - The moment where Michael is taunting and teasing Alan about his alleged affair and numerous hook ups with Justin Stewart in college, in the 1970 film, Alan has a bit more dialogue after says the part that he “dropped” Justin; Alan says that he knows that Justin is gay because he told him and gives a big reveal that Justin wanted him to be his lover.

This Movie is so deep... and i like it so much

I agree, the film showed different types of people and Alan was representing the denying/closeted one, if he was straight then why all the fuss, it's a movie about not being straight.

I was waiting for you to mention about Justine. That part I didn’t get

It was a way better movie than I thought it was going to be.

A lot depends on whether Alan knew for sure that Michael was gay. They obviously didn't socialize much, living in different cities, and it's not clear when their last contact was. The narrator presumes a lot without this information. I've seen the 1970 movie at least a dozen times and read the original play several times as well, and do not recall it ever being mentioned that Alan had had a homosexual experience at any time. Is this something added to the new movie? Even so, one experience does not a gay man make. I've always believed -- since first learning about TBITB in 1968 -- that Alan and Michael were just close enough that Alan would visit Michael in NYC to unload, and that he was genuinely heterosexual and appalled and offended by the gay subculture of the time. He was simply looking for consolation from a friend and was trapped in the circumstance. As Mart Crowley once said about his characters, "There are a lot of happy homosexuals in the world. They're just not at this party."

@Larry_is_real

11 ай бұрын

Michael's reaction to Alan's call indicates that they haven't seen each other for quite some time. Also a part of the friend group never heard about/met Alan. Harold knows about him, but also has never met him. So it's more or less obvious that Alan and Michael haven't seen eachother maybe even since they finished college. Otherwise at least SOME or at least ONE of the friends would have met Alan before. You said "one experience does not make a man gay". Maybe. But in the film, Michael mentions that Alan slept with Justin several times "One time - it's youth, twice - it's a phase. Several times? You like it"

Enjoyed the analysis. Well thought out, and I agree with the conclusion. Respectfully however, the character that Alan most identified with is “Hank”...not “Frank”...there is no character named “Frank”...

@JanetCoop

3 жыл бұрын

I think Alan is referring to Hank as "Frank" because he misheard his name when Hank was introduced ...So he went through the whole evening thinking that Hank's name was "Frank"...Plus Alan is so used to being inside his own head that he has become self-absorbed, and doesn't think about treating Hank with enough respect to learn his actual name...He never addresses any of the other guys by name (except Michael, whom he still calls by his school-age diminutive, "Mickey"), probably because he either never learned their names, or he holds himself superior to this bunch of "fairies" & "degenerates"...

Nice analysis of the Alan character. I saw the 1968 version first. I had always suspected that Alan had had a gay past, though I wasn't so sure about his present (presence) at the party.

Yep, I'm with you. As for the story line and performances, being of that generation I find it quite visceral.

My interpretation is that Alan actually loves Michael, he did sleep with Justin during his college years but he probably actually loved Michael in his heart, and hence the denial when Michael mentioned their (Alan and Justin’s) previous secret relationship. But I read from the original that Donald is Michael’s ex, and obviously Michael still has feelings for him, and hence the “see you next Saturday” at the end. Love triangle to say the least 😂❤ After watching this the second time, I still find myself liking Larry and Hank the most, probably due to the fact that Andrew and Tuc are partners irl 🤭

As a pansexual woman well aware of all sort of discrimination, I loooove this movie.

I love you perspective on this and I agree. This movie is great it really makes me feel a little privilege living as a gay man in 2020

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I'm glad you agree!

@Solutions3000

3 жыл бұрын

Amazing, that the original is from the 60ies.

I agree 100%

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you agree!

I really liked it althought I thought of it as a movie about pushing on. Everyone had there adversities but you have to keep moving no matter what. The party ends eventually.

totally agree the video was cool

I really loved this movie, and I really loved thinking about the stories of the characters and looking for meaning beyond their words. All of actors were obviously so talented, but my favorite was Jim Parsons. There are two things I am curious about: 1. What is the real relationship between Harold and Michael? Michael cared about both the birthday party so much and his own appearance while thinking the person knocking on the door is Harold. 2. I didn't like Alan at all. He is such a coward. He is definitely afraid to accept being homosexual, but many people also think he is in love with Michael. Is this true?

@Larry_is_real

11 ай бұрын

1 Harold and Michael are best friends. Or frenemies. Whichever you prefer 2 Yes, it is true, Alan is in love with Michael. But Alan is not a coward, he just has a lot of internalised homophobia and hatred, which was EXTREMELY common back then. Being gay was illegal. LGBT people were arrested constantly, beaten up by both civilians and the police, there was a lot of anti-LGBT propaganda, etc. It was seen as shameful, sinful, or even a perversion. So it's not Alan's fault, but the society's

just a good and brillant comment... welldone...

I agree that keeping Alan's sexuality up to the audience's perception makes the whole thing so much more powerful. The fact that he reached out to Michael and the fact that he breaks down on the telephone so uncharacteristically, allowing his friend to see him at his most vulnerable, give us ample evidence that he feels a deep emotional connection with Michael. Also, Michael clearly seeks Alan's approval, at least in the beginning. Once the truth is out, he is desperate to make Alan confess to being secretly in love with a man, probably hoping it would avoid Alan looking down on him because of his homosexuality. The Alan- Michael relation is obviously very complex and fraught with all kinds of tension. On a side note though, as I was watching the film, I couldn't help but wonder if Donald harboured some sort of feelings for Larry. They had a sexual encounter (s?) in the past and Larry remembers him fondly enough but whatever flirting Larry extends towards Donald during the party was done for Hank's benefit, I believe. But the lingering glances Donald throws at Larry, especially the way the camera pans on his eyes following Larry when he goes into the bedroom with Hank, had me thinking if there was still a hint of something deeper in there, at least on Donald's part.

@lancepineda293

3 жыл бұрын

It could maybe also be that Donald was jealous of Larry having Hank, having a somewhat decent relationship even when Larry was off sleeping with other men. Could be why he and Michael are good friends, as he commiserates with being alone, in a romantic sense

He definetely had something for Hank, whatever that may mean, but that part was obvious

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

Yes I agree!

@laminage

2 жыл бұрын

Oh absolutely! He feels for Hank what Sal Romano felt for Ken Cosgrove on Mad Men having him for Dinner, even "Stealing" his Gold Lighter which has been synonymous in LGBT Culture. Carol Lights Therese's Cigarette in "Carol". Harold Lights his Marijuana Cigarette using a Gold Lighter and in Frank Butterfield's very First Book An Enchanted Beginning, Nicholas 'Nick" Williams a Former Navy Man, Lights his Cigarette using a Gold Lighter.

Nice. Even tho he denied being gay he still stayed so I think he was. Plus he didn’t get on the first flight back. I caught the part Michael said drinking made him mean etc and then when Alan arrived that’s when he started drinking and he turned mean. But why? Was it a defense mechanism

@ogwuniruhenry6765

3 жыл бұрын

Michael started drinking when the situation got tense, when Alan hit Emory, that's when he started drinking.

@JanetCoop

3 жыл бұрын

I thought that Michael was running back to the apartment because Donald is there...Donald was so sensitive & comforting, and I think that Donald would be so much more caring & loving than Alan...Michael has too much baggage to carry already; why would he want to be with someone like Alan, who would only pile more weight onto what Michael was carrying already?? Donald is so much more quieting for Michael's spirit; he's tender, charming, funny, and is actually seeing a shrink and putting his life together...Matt Bomer said that he felt that Donald is "Horatio" to Michael's "Hamlet"...I'm sorry but I honestly feel that Michael is going home to Donald's arms...

Donald!!!

@karlamargarettang9243

3 жыл бұрын

I thought he was straight but I love his support in this movie

@nunyabiznes33

2 жыл бұрын

He seem to be a really nice friend to have around.

I think he couldn't accept it, even in a safe area. The one closeted gay, still not ready to come out even in a room full of open excepting gays. Like not wanting to jump off a ledge into a safety net.

I agree with almost everything.

@BrainPilot

3 жыл бұрын

That’s what I like to hear!

Its obvious he is conflicted and I agree with most of your explanation. However, u made the mistake of saying that a lot of men felt conflicted back then, as if 2 say latent homosexuals are not conflicted in this day and age. I think that there is a veil of homosexual acceptance that plagues the world. I think ppl think we are further than we actually are. Speaking from experience, there are still a ton of men conflicted, married with children, that even with the little progress we have made, still continue to live a lie and a double life.

Can you please explain Micheal next?

Here's my take on the original movie from 1970. I am 57 years old and just recently saw the movie on TCM for the first time. I believe Alan crying and calling Michael as he knew Michael was gay was because Alan needed to talk to someone about his hidden sexuality. When Alan arrived at the party and saw them dancing and especially Emory being so flamboyant he thought to himself this is not a lifestyle for me. Because Hank was masculine and married he could relate to him better- even though Hank is gay he just acted like the average straight male and Alan could relate and be comfortable around him. The ending I believe though I didn't see the remake with Alan in the bar, is Alan pondering his future and should he live the lie or be who he really is and forget that miserable party and continue his quest to be himself and try to have a happy life.

I understood very little of the story but I enjoyed the movie 😂😂

@_antictrl8223

3 жыл бұрын

I loved it too but I’m too dumb to understand all the metaphors in it 😂

@Solutions3000

3 жыл бұрын

@@_antictrl8223 : I'd love to discuss the movie with you, in this forum. Metaphors are great tools; you're smarter that you know.

Yea I think Alan was closeted or at least curious. I loved this movie

I think Alan felt safe with hank but also challenged, because hank was further 'out' than hank was, afterall he left his wife and could openly admit his love for larry which isn't something Alan could ever imagine doing but probably secretly wished he could

romeo santos

I feel like Alan was probably bisexual and struggling to understand himself. I think he left his wife out of guilt or maybe he was feeling strong desire towards men and didn’t know what to do with it anymore, wanting to act on it (again if he did have an encounter with their friend from college) but not wanting to at the same time. maybe he was going crazy with all of the repressed thoughts and feelings but seeing that the grass wasn’t exactly greener on “the other side” decided that he was better off in his marriage. I think he really did love his wife, he just didn’t feel fulfilled in his life back home. He had so much internalized homophobia that he wouldn’t allow himself to actually recognize his desires as being gay, him leaving was almost this act of defeat, him succumbing to what he considered his darkest desires. He probably ran away from his life for more than just one reason, a lot of people have a breakdown after being unsatisfied or disappointed with their marriage, job, opportunities, life experience, I think there was more to his character than just being a closet case, you could throw in a mid life Crisis in there as well. I think he was at the bar because he felt lost and didn’t know what to do, especially after the emotional night he experienced.

What year did Michael & Alan graduate from exactly?

I have a feeling that Alan was kinda suicidal at some point. When he phoned in Michael

Well it is obscure and sort of true that gay men stab each other all the time. What really poped me is that... there were hurtfull dialogues between characters and all of the sudden they’d be cheering up for someone to blow his bday candles, as if nothing was said. Gay men tend to act that way. We tend to be passive agressive, and thats why i found this movie so uncomfortable. Characters are totally agressive, but the wardrobe, the color scheme, the music... everything elses makes you feel like you’re watching a sitcome. So it becomes a passive agressive film. I didn’t like it to be honest... and my boyfriend watched it before i did, he told me the same... that he felt weird looking at it.

“Back then” 😂😂😂😂

My take is that Alan is closeted & haunted. It's never revealed why he is in NYC - maybe just to see Michael. I don't know if I believe he secretly loves M [as many guess} but I do think he hooked up w/ Justin, also not sure M is in love w/ him. Was Michael 'straight acting' IRL? That Catholic guilt explains his self loathing and viciousness. Others say he was running @ end to A waiting in bar [?] I thought maybe he was just being reckless in NYC and letting off steam. *In original '70s film doesn't Harold indicate that M is financially 'kept' and some allusions to it in the 2020, even that H & M hooked up.

I agree - Maybe Alan liked Micheal but liked Larry more once entering the party.

@est4307

3 жыл бұрын

i think u meant hank right? not larry

Alan can better be seeing as Hawk in Fellow Travelers- a man that might have had gay desires but chose for career sake to marry and have a straight life.

마이클울때 나도울었음(ㅠ_ㅜ) 마이클정말먹먹한 캐릭터임 심지어 나는 게이도 아닌데도 그캐릭터가 가진 너무나도 처절한 외로움과 고독이 짙게느껴져서 인간적인 연민이 느껴졌음 I was crying when Michael was crying. He is a so miserable character in the movie. Eventhough I'm not a gay, I was overwhelmed with the feelings he had such as desperate loneliness and throughly being secluded from the world. Especially in the scene Michael running in a street... This movie make me think of many things about how an individual can be painful without being understood.

THE ALANS OF THE WORLD SIMPLY PLAY "GAY FOR A DAY" THEY GET WHAT THEY WANT, THEN GO BACK. This is the same thing that goes on today

indeed who is she? who was she? who does she hope to be?

Reminds me of my first gay party i went to so much back stabbing and drama. Lol

Alan and Hank were never straight. Alan was gay and Hank was bisexual. Many gay and bisexual men and women have been in relationships with the opposite gender but that does not mean they were ever straight.

Of course he was gay. Denial is clear. The second he walked in, he knew it was a gay party. After listening to how tragic everyone's lives were, except for Hank's, he decided not to come out, particularly after witnessing some very spiteful behaviour. Why would he want to come out in a world of hatred and toxic conscious self-loathing? Perhaps a coward? One who fears being who they truly are is forever in purgatory - a lost soul and never honest with anyone, least of all themselves. That's no life at all so why would a coward choose it? He should be the most pitiable character of all, except it's hard for us to have sympathy for him because he's so devious about his secret 'other' life that we don't even find out about it. What arrogant audience members we are for expecting all to be revealed, Mart Crowley. 😉 Perhaps we are in the wrong for not minding our own business?

The original version was far superior

Alan was conflicted.....

The institutionalised homophobia of society drove many gay people mad. The commentator describes Alan as “lacking courage”. Truth is Alan should never have been put in the position of needing “courage” just to be himself whatever his sexuality.

This is a remake from Mart Crowley's play and William Friedkins 1970 movie, " The boys in the band" .. Allen is a gay man in a marriage to a woman! Watch the original movie and see how good these guys acting honored the original actors!

The acting is extremely well done, but this movie has zero point to it other than showcasing each person’s personality. That’s not a basis for anything- there’s no point to watching them. But when something is solely driven by the existence of these the people alone, then they leave very little room about any total conflict to make it interesting; if they were doing profiles, they should’ve dove deeper by doing it in a limited series.

@nunyabiznes33

2 жыл бұрын

It was like watching a trainwreck, your face in wincing but you can't look away. That telephone game was a hot mess express.

@sophiephillips7961

2 жыл бұрын

@@nunyabiznes33 but these people were a train wreck to what end? If someone showed a frame of a smouldering train wreck, you’d assume the rest of the movie would trace how it built to the point with nuanced conflict, not someone driving a train who happens to hit a bus of children. Some concepts are better just as plays than films, that’s just how it is, I can see it being an engaging play, but film has so much flexibility to make things more impactful and interesting- there’s so much they could’ve done with this in the modern era - but they didn’t.

Why does it matter if Alan is Gay or not?

I watched the 1968 version many years ago and yes, Alan is that man you know who is either hate it or still in the closet trying not to let anybody know his dark secret..

I thought Alan was the hottest guy in the movie.

I think it was a good movie but the stereotypical homosexual characters were a bit typical and basic and even a bit lazy. I think it was a good way of portraying there experiences and how homosexuality is something one grapples with. I’m straight but that’s what I’m taking from the movie.

Wow it seems from the comments everyone is desperate for Alan to be gay🤔🧐

The only thing I was left wondering about Michael is why did he have a cuss quota every five seconds?! Also, did they have to hammer in that he was Catholic by having him use the Lord’s name in vain the other couple of seconds!

The thinking here is muddled. 1. Those in the closet and homophobes aren't opposites. In fact, most of the homophobes I've known are closet cases struggling with their internalized homophobia and are thus the MOST homophobic people. 2. You call Hank "Frank" several times. Do your homework on the FACTS so that you can have some credibility on your OPINIONS 3. You're right when you say that Alan's sexuality at the end should be ambiguous; in fact, that was Mart Crowley's intention. (I know from having read the notes of the original director.) But then, instead of making the case for both sides, you proceed to make the case for only ONE, thereby contradicting your own thesis.

@powder-blue

3 жыл бұрын

Your tone seems very pointed right now.

@stjohnssoup

5 ай бұрын

Why do gays think straights are gay?

I watched the 1968 version many years ago and yes, Alan is that man you know who is either hate it or still in the closet trying hard not to let anybody his dark secret..

Well Alan is bisexual because he is in love with a man

Alan is gay but it’s 1968.