Torch Song Trilogy (1988) by Paul Bogart

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Director: Paul Bogart

Writers (WGA): Harvey Fierstein (play)
Harvey Fierstein (screenplay)

Release Date: 14 December 1988 (USA)

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Tagline: It takes a lot of guts and a helluva sense of humor to live life in Arnold's shoes.

Plot: Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein re-creates his role as the unsinkable Arnold Beckoff in this film adaptation of the smash Broadway play TORCH SONG TRILOGY. A very personal story that is both funny and poignant, TORCH SONG TRILOGY chronicles a New Yorker's search for love, respect and tradition in a world that seems not especially made for him. From Arnold's hilarious steps toward domestic bliss with a reluctant school teacher, to his first truly promising love affair with a young fashion model, Arnold's greatest challenge remains his complicated relationship with his mother. But armed with a keenly developed sense of humor and oftentimes piercing wit, Arnold continues to test the commonly accepted terms of endearment--and endurance--in a universally affecting story that confirms that happiness is well worth carrying a torch for. Anne Bancroft co-stars as Fierstein's mother along with Matthew Broderick in one of his earliest roles.

@IMDb
@Amazon: Torch Song Trilogy (1988)
@Netflix
@Wolfe Video







 

Cast (in credits order)
Anne Bancroft ... Ma Beckoff
Matthew Broderick ... Alan Simon
Harvey Fierstein ... Arnold Beckoff
Brian Kerwin ... Ed Reese
Karen Young ... Laurel
Eddie Castrodad ... David
Ken Page ... Murray
Charles Pierce ... Bertha Venation
Axel Vera ... Marina Del Rey
Benji Schulman ... Young Arnold Beckoff
Nick Montgomery ... Chorus Boy #1
Robert Neary ... Chorus Boy #2
Kim Clark ... Female Bar Patron #1
Stephanie Penn ... Female Bar Patron #2
Geoffrey Harding ... Man with Lighter
Michael Bond ... Bar Patron
Michael Warga ... Bartender
Phil Sky ... Man in Back Room
Lorry Goldman ... Phil Beckoff
Edgar Small ... Jacob Beckoff
Harriet C. Leider ... Maitre D'
Paul Joynt ... Club Heckler #1
Mitch David Carter ... Club Heckler #2
Bob Minor ... Gregory
Byron Deen ... Roz
John Beckman ... Cab Driver #1
Elliott T. Spar ... Rabbi (as Rabbi Elliott T. Spar)
Alva Chinn ... Photographer
Gregory Gilbert ... Hustler
John Norman ... Basher #1
Mark Zeisler ... Basher #2
Peter Mackenzie ... Young Man #1
Peter Nevargic ... Young Man #2
Ted Hook ... Old Man
Niall Gartlan ... Boy in Fight
Catherine Blue ... Teacher #1
John Branagan ... Teacher #2
Tracy Bogart ... Secretary at School
Frits De Knegt ... Cab Driver #2 (as Firts de Knegt)


Arnold & Alan

Comments

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Torch Song Trilogy was one of the movie I wanted to absolutely see when I was a teenager, but I wasn't able to see on the screen. I videotaped it one late night, and I still have that tape. It's for sure a romance, between two men, but also between a man and his mother, and yes, also between a parent and a son. It was probably the first movie I see where a gay character was searchig for a family, a partner and a son. It was a movie that gave me an insight on a life that in Italy at that time was impossible even to conceive. I strongly recommend this movie, but I have also to warn you, it's one of the saddest movie I have ever seen, and still a source of tears for me.

[lbakerfiction.livejournal.com]

This is a wonderful story, but I always have to grab the tissues!

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Same here, I can't avoid to be in tears at the end of it. But I recommend to people who don't know it to give it a try.

[lbakerfiction.livejournal.com]

It's a must see!

[shadownyc.livejournal.com]

This is one of my all-time favorite films. I just have to have plenty of tissues on hand whenever I watch.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

I usually don't like drama, but there are stories that you have to watch

[innersmile.livejournal.com]

one of my first gay movies, and still one of my favourites. I absolutely love this.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

It was one of my first too, this one and The Boys in the Band.

I Heart Harvey

[ruth-sims.livejournal.com]

Torch Song is one of my all-time favorites, from the moment that Arnold, putting on his makeup at the beginning, says "With a face and a voice like this I can always drive a cab" to the closing credits. I fell absolutely, totally, and forever in love with Harvey Fierstein when I saw it. He's still the only celebrity I'd give almost anything to contact and/or meet. And oh, what I'd give to have him read Counterpoint: Dylan's Story!

Thank you for the third time today, Elisa! for posting this review.

Re: I Heart Harvey

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

thank you for your kind word and the nice comment. this was one of my first gay themed movies, and still one of my favorite.