If you’re not a big nightlife person or if you dread the crowds out and about on Valentine’s Day weekend, or if you’re single and irritated by the lovebirds pecking and cooing over their cassoulets and cosmos, then why not go to the movies? There’s a slew of big, gorgeous films to choose from, and not all of them feature blue elves fornicating in a CGI fantasy world so treat yourself and a friend to one of these classic films; all three of them are lush, colorful and vibrant and all three of them have strong queer credentials and content. And, if you’re single maybe you’ll meet someone at the movie and for you couples, you can always make out in the back row…
Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger’s 1948 Technicolor Masterpiece, The Red Shoes is playing at Northwest Film Forum now through February 18th in a newly restored print. If you’ve never seen The Red Shoes, or only watched it on video/dvd now is the time to see it in all its full-screen glory. Loosely based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale, The Red Shoes is the story of a young ballerina and her obsessive dreams of becoming a ballet star and a desire strong enough to be willing to “die for Art”. Praised for its exquisite cinematography, production and costume design, choreography and acting by leads Moira Shearer, Anton Walbrook and Marius Goring, The Red Shoes is considered the best of the Powell/Pressburger film collaborations (a filmography that includes Black Narcissus, The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp, and Tales of Hoffman) and has been championed by Martin Scorsese, Brian De Palma and Vincent Minnelli as one of the great films of all time. For classic film fans and lovers of dance and ballet, it’s a must see film.
An irony wrapped in an enigma and shrouded by a conundrum-that is the delight/tragedy of Rock Hudson’s performance in the 1959 comedy classic, Pillow Talk, now playing at The Grand Illusion through the 18th. A gay man masquerading as a straight movie star portraying a straight stud on the make pretending to be gay to bed the virgin next door! The casting is inspired but the film itself has a slight sex comedy plot but Hudson’s skill at playing all those layers belies his reputation as a great movie star but mediocre actor; he’s terrific in the role and proves that he had a talent for playing comedy and different levels of meaning. Equally wonderful is Doris Day as the virgin next door, Thelma Ritter as the sarcastic maid, and Tony Randall as the caponesque best friend/rival.
And finally, a more recent film but one as equally as colorful as The Red Shoes and Pillow Talk. Fashion designer Tom Ford’s debut film as director is an adaptation of Christopher Isherwood’s classic novel, A Single Man and has earned rave reviews for its stylish art direction, cinematography and lead performance by Academy Award nominated Colin Firth. It’s a stunningly beautiful film and an automatic addition to the Gay Film Canon and it needs to be seen on the big screen to appreciate its splendor. (You also need to read the book.)It’s currently playing at the Harvard Exit. For this film and the others, check your local listings for showtimes.
-Michael Strangeways
About the Author: Michael Strangeways
