The Boys Are Back
Seminal gay play-turned-movie The Boys In The Band will be released on DVD on November 11th. The story, according to the press release, “follows a group of gay male friends as they come together in a New York City apartment for a birthday party. When an unexpected guest arrives and the truth begins to flow as freely as the cocktails, it leads to a sometimes vulgar but ultimately open and honest dissection of their lives and relationships.” [AfterElton]
Fans of this film have been waiting and waiting for this release. After several false starts and vague release dates from PHV, let’s hope this is the real deal. Many gays hate the film because of its portrayal of self-hating gays. I don’t think they thought they were self-hating at the time, much like today’s log cabin gays. When the truth starts to hit too close to home make a bitchy remark, vilify, vilify. The bitchy remarks don’t come any quicker than from the pen of wonderful playwright Mart Crowley.
I cannot wait for the release of this film on DVD, I’m sure it’ll be remastered and restored. I still have the VHS release and transferred it to DVD a couple of years ago, but it’s grainy and has loss some of it’s visual quality, but the play is still worth watching. At one time this was a snapshot of gay life. Sad, but very memorable. Harold rocks!
Ditto the above comments.
I’ve been waiting years to view this again (though I’ve seen a few stage productions in the past decade). Yes, it’s bitter, caustic and self-loathing…at least from our vantage point in 2008. But I understand it’s a spot-on portrayal of the times. Oh, and it’s directed by William Friedkin (“Cruising” “The Exorcist” “The French Connection”)
This play is yesterday. Or maybe I should say, last century. Yuck! The only redeeming quality of the movie is the gawk at some closeted actors of yesteryear. Boring.