Welcome to Queerty’s latest entry in our series, Queerantined: Daily Dose. Every weekday as long as the COVID-19 pandemic has us under quarantine, we’ll release a suggested bit of gloriously queer entertainment designed to keep you from getting stir crazy in the house. Each weekend, we will also suggest a binge-able title to keep you extra engaged.
The Early Years: Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss
Actor Sean Hayes has become synonymous with gays on screen, thanks, of course, to his more than 20-year tenure as Jack on Will & Grace. For anyone wanting to know how a then-unknown Hayes landed such a pivotal role, venture back to 1998 with Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss. The film marks Hayes’ big-screen debut in a leading role, and foreshadows his later success. The story centers on Billy (played by Hayes), an LA photographer with a fascination for old movies. When Billy falls for a handsome young server named Gabriel (Brad Rowe), things get complicated. Gabriel has a girlfriend, but also seems attracted to Billy. Things get more complicated when Gabriel begins modeling for Billy, and the tension grows. Is Gabriel gay? Bi? Even if he is, does that mean Billy has a shot with him? Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss explores the complexities of post-AIDS crisis dating for gay men–one of the first films to really tackle the subject–with complex sensitivity. Moreover, Hayes gives a nuanced and thoughtful performance which, in addition to foreshadowing his work as Jack, also foreshadows the acclaim he would earn for his work in films like The Three Stooges and on stage in Promises, Promises. Somewhat dated but still fun, Billy’s Hollywood Screen Kiss is a fine rom-com to stream on a COVID Saturday night.
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Cam
Brad Rowe later went on to star in another great Gay movie “Shelter”.
Joshooeerr
Rowe had the kind of looks and charisma that should have made him a star. And Shelter is one of the best gay films ever.
joycejocampo
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mz.sam
Love the movie. With his looks, charisma and talent this was Brad’s movie. Infact, it took too long for him to resurface in the magnificent ‘Shelter’.
TommyIL
Love this film! Was one of the first in my collection of gay movies. I dated a guy who was among Sean’s circle of friends at Illinois State University. When he told me I was excited because Sean had just starred in this indie film; he wasn’t a household name yet.
Chrisk
I met Sean at a party in the hills one time. This was back in 1999/2000. Nice guy but not very outgoing. As I recall he hadn’t come out yet and was still insecure. Plus this was a gay party and I think that had him unnerved. I remember him liking and talking to my friend all night though. A hot ex marine and was the spitting image of Brad Rowe btw.
At any rate, I remember seeing this at the theater. No classic like the other ones talked about in the other post about the 90s but I thought it was cute.
Joshooeerr
“Hayes gives a nuanced and thoughtful performance… foreshadowing his work as Jack”. LOL. I must have missed the W&G episode where Hayes was “nuanced and thoughtful”.
trsxyz
Love this movie!! Great soundtrack too…
existentialgay
It’s not streaming on iTunes. Been looking for this for years and it’s nowhere digitally.
Cam
Try to find Beautiful thing on any of the streaming platforms. You can’t. Rated as one of the top LGBT films of the last 20 years and it’s available nowhere (Maybe Youtube).
So no surprise this film can’t be found. And for years none of them had “Trick” available either.