Queer Cinema Review: Part 1

 

With the privilege of being born in this era, where expression of identity is relatively much more uninhibited, I've had a chance to watch some really good queer cinema. And I decided to write about them. This isn't a piece about how "there's so much more to do" or "have we really progressed?" No, none of that. In fact, my association with queer cinema isn't due to the representation that they provide, or the struggles they capture (I believe that they do provide more visibility to the community, but that isn't my reason to enjoy them). I simply like these movies. Maybe as a teen, undergoing a lot of changes both emotionally and physically, I connect with the characters more. Maybe topics such as exploration and expression of the self resonate deeply with me. I don't care what the reason is - I'm not really here to analyze or justify my liking. What I'm here to do is to write a list of the movies of this genre that I like the most (and to criticize some of the below-par ones). So let me get on with it.

Note: This list is NOT ranked in any order

1. But I'm a Cheerleader

Rating: 4.5/5

Genre: Rom-com, Young adult, Coming-of-age, Satire

Overview: A teenage cheerleader, who is closeted to herself, is made to undergo conversion therapy at a camp, where she ends up discovering love and comes to terms with her sexuality.

Comments: I genuinely loved this movie. It is sweet, funny, warm, heart-felt - the complete package. The moment when the girl gets the girl, and the storyline resolves, is something utterly lovely (the song playing in the background at this moment is one of my most replayed songs* on Spotify. It's called Glass Vase Cello Case, no need to thank me). While the main storyline itself is complete, the movie also satirizes the methods employed for conversion therapy in a very subtle-yet-incisive manner.

*Actually, the song exists as a podcast

2. Below Her Mouth

Rating: 2/5

Genre: Romance, Drama, Erotica

Overview: A lesbian roofer enters into the life of a seemingly straight woman in a heteronormative relationship - but things soon change as they engage in breathless and explicit exploration.

Comments: Most critics write this film off as artsy lesbian porn. I'm no critic, but I'm no rebel either; the truth is, this film is explicit and sexually explorative. That is the primary way in which it deals with most human interactions. Also, it offers no commentary on the perception of the formerly straight girl's newfound identity- is she gay? Bi? Curious? Not wanting to label it? Anything at all? Something more is sorely wanted from this film in the way in which it deals with intimacy (only physical, barely emotional) and sexuality.

3. Love, Simon

Rating: 4/5

Genre:  Rom-com, Young adult, Coming-of-age

Overview: A closeted teenage boy starts to correspond over e-mail with another anonymous guy at his school, and they develop mutual feelings for each other. His secret is found by someone who blackmails him into betraying his friends, and he must face new challenges headstrong.

Comments: This was a beautiful, witty, and tender film that makes you root for Simon as he deals with a lot of stuff. I really liked how sweet and charming his character is, and how he is so utterly devastated when he has to betray his friends to hide stuff from them. And although I'd promised not to go into activism, I also appreciate how the queer characters in this film weren't reduced to stereotypes and had actual personalities ( to clarify, I liked that they didn't perpetuate the stereotype of effeminate gay dudes and gothic lesbian gals).

4. Kissing Jessica Stein

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Rom-com

Overview: A female sees a personal ad in the women-seeking-women section, and is intrigued by a quote. She hesitantly meets the person, a bisexual female. Although having second thoughts, she is pursued by the other to stay. They soon develop a close bond, but their relationship remains tumultuous in other ways.

Comments: I like this movie for how it deals with bi-curiosity and confusion. It also speaks a lot about emotional connections in relationships and depicts how they remain platonic best friends due to their shared bond. Personally, I would have loved it if she ended up as bi, and together, but that is also partly because I'm a sucker for happy endings. Jessica's mother's support in Jessica coming out (did she come out, though?) and the "perfection" speech given by her were also pretty heart-felt.

5. The Half of It

Rating: 3.5/5

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Coming-of-age

Overview: A teen writes heartfelt letters to the girl she has a crush on - but does so assuming the identity of a boy who shares the crush and pays her money to write the letters. As things blossom between the boy and his crush, the feelings of the protagonist remain unknown to both. This hurtles the film into an eventual confrontation and subsequent resolution.

Comments: There is no resolution and no happy ending. But these fickle things apart, the movie was interesting to watch, and the textual correspondence between the protagonist and her crush always felt genuine. And also, I hated the movie, because it should've ended with them together! (Yeah, I'm a helpless romantic when it comes to film endings). Not really though (yes please, actually).

6. Happiest Season

Rating: 3.5/5

Genre:  Romantic Comedy, Drama

Overview: A journalist and her partner decide to spend the holiday season with the former's parents. In an interesting twist, the former is revealed to have not come out yet to her friends and her family- now they must ensure secrecy even as they deal with challenges that threaten their relationship.

Comments: Funny? Check. Family-friendly? Check. Heart-warming? Check. And, so, this film checks the essential boxes of a holiday movie that is sweet, warm, and feel-good. Enjoy!

7. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (French: Portrait de la jeune fille en feu)  

Rating: 4/5

Genre:  Romance, Period Drama

Overview: In 18th century France, a lady painter is commissioned to paint the portrait of a lady for her potential suitors. To capture her realistic emotions, the painter must get to know the lady; this endeavour leads to them forming an intimate and passionate bond.

Comments: This movie was an artistic, passionate masterpiece. Overcoming the subtitles is not a challenge, especially with the movie relying heavily on facial expressions and human emotions. Though bittersweet in its conclusion, I still liked this movie very much.

8. Badhaai Do (Hindi)

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Romance, Drama

Overview: In modern-day India, a closeted gay cop and a closeted lesbian teacher enter into a pretend marriage to counter pressure from their respective families. The film revolves around them managing their lives, relationships, and identities, and facing the countless challenges they encounter along the way.

Comments: Aside from being a landmark mainstream Indian queer film, this movie in general captures the maturity that at least a certain section of modern-day Bollywood has attained. The performances, the story, the thoughtful camera angles, everything is very good. This movie, probably being the first mainstream Bollywood film dealing with queer topics, could've very well used typical cliches and gotten away with it. But it did not, and major props to the filmmakers for that. 

That concludes part 1 of this series (hopefully it'll have more than 1 part lol ). Drop comments, suggestions, and movie recommendations. Feel free to give constructive criticism on the writing or any feedback regarding any edits that I should make.

The movies that I plan to cover next include Brokeback Mountain, Moonlight, and Carol, among other films. Stay tuned. ∎

AB