Welcome to the Weekend Binge. Every Friday, we’ll suggest a binge-able title designed to keep you from getting too stir crazy. Check back throughout the weekend for even more gloriously queer entertainment.
The Fashionable: Halston
We’re still oh-so-slightly obsessed with this new Netflix series, a chronicle of the life of the single-named fashion designer–the first American to break into the world of international fashion. Halston became a household name in the 1970s for his eccentric designs and use of celebrity models (particularly Liza Minnelli) in his runway shows, not to mention a fixture at New York’s Studio 54. Yet, by the mid-80s, Halston would lose his fashion empire and the use of his name. By the time of his death in 1990, his work had already faded into obscurity.
In the series, produced by Ryan Murphy & Christine Vachon, Ewan McGregor portrays Halston as a genius, volatile man haunted by his own shame. The performance ranks among McGregor’s best, which say something. The supporting cast, including Gian Franco Rodriguez and Rebecca Dayan as Halston’s boyfriend Victor Hugo and his longtime muse/design collaborator Elsa Peretti, respectively, also deliver fine work, though the real showstopper, is actress Krysta Rodriguez who steps into the iconic role of Liza Minnelli.
Playing someone like Liza–a woman notorious for her larger-than-life personality and many parodies over the years--presents a minefield for an actor. Rodriguez pulls off the miraculous feat of making Liza seem both human and familiar, even while channeling some of her most famous musical moments. This ain’t a drag performance or an imitation, folks. It’s a magnificent, Emmy-worthy turn for Rodriguez, who seems poised to become a star in her own right.
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Halston focuses more on the title designer’s struggles with fame, drugs, and showmanship, rather than his genius (something that made the 2019 documentary Halston so stellar). In a sense, we expected as much: Ryan Murphy’s work tends to veer more towards the soapy than the educational, and a didactic history lesson doesn’t exactly lend itself to scripted drama. What the show does do–more so than the documentary–is dive into how Halston’s self-image and internalized homophobia contributed to his volatile temper and personal life. Certain elements of Halston’s self-destruction begin to make sense knowing how he struggled with abuse and self-loathing.
At just five episodes, Halston moves at a rapid pace without feeling superficial or disjointed. That’s lucky, since the show–loaded with style, queer history, and terrific performances–is also addictive as Hell. That makes it perfect for a Weekend Binge, and one to welcome pride month to boot.
Streams on Netflix.
Fahd
Brief review: It’s better than I thought it was going to be, but I still find myself tidying up during the show (something that always happens when I watch a Ryan Murphy production), and I left off in the middle of an episode about a week ago and I haven’t gotten back to it yet.
tallskin4
I started watching and found it bloodless and dull. I mean who the fufff cares?
There’s no drama, no story. It’s simply dull, dull, dull
Don’t waste your time on it
Mamesboy
Ugh. Another Queen who thinks they’re real critics. The acting was amazing. Kathryn Rodriguez was amazing as Liza. The fashion awesome. Sick of bitter queens who think they rule.
Polaro
Funny, mame, but looks like the kettle calling the pot stainless steel. Sweetie, the show wasn’t good. It was a parody of someone who deserved better. Ewan’s acting wasn’t great and it was a bad script. It was hollow and cheesy. It also made Liza look dull, which is a sacrilege. No, sweetie, get off your high horse, Bianca needs it.
bsg1967
The 2019 documentary was much better made you actually sympathise with him unlike this soulless drech except for the Bette midler clone at studio 54 that was hilarious
AllanW
Personally didn’t care for it – although well-acted, the character of Halston was so unlikable I really didn’t care about it – and the last fifteen minute attempt at redemption fell flat – too little too late – and the co-star was a package of cigarettes
barryaksarben
Halston was an unlikeable guy but his work will live on and to say it faded into obscurity is just NOT TRUE
Polaro
Halston in this biopic is unlikeable. It was a shallow portrayal of a more complex man and did not do him justice.
BigJohnSF
It’s not “queer history” – it’s gay history. “Queer” is hate speech – it was in the 70s, it is now.
lather
It was a word I never heard uttered without hate and the threat of violence in tone. In the mid 60’s it was first hurled at me by the same teenagers who were once my friends. The word still disgusts me and hurts me. We are creative folks, we can do better at coming up with a marker to indicate who we as a group are now.
Thanks BigJohnSF. It is gay history.
Donston
Can y’all get over the seething hatred of “queer”? At this point it’s just petty, and you’re coming off like old-hats. Almost everyone I know under 40 is perfectly fine with the term. It’s just an all-encompassing terminology. And it’s hardly ever used nowadays to promote hate. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t want to use it. But this obsession with shaming the tons of people who use it, it’s getting corny and childish. And once again, it’s making you seem old. Don’t tell other people they can’t say something because of your past traumas.
Vince
So I guess groups like Queer nation in the 80s were hate groups then?
Polaro
How about you stop using queer? Haltson would have thrown you out the window had you referred to him as queer.
Fname Optional Lname
Many people identify as queer.
Polaro
Halston did not. Many people are also insipid, confused attention-seekers too. Queer is a meaningless word that is similar to being a goth back in the day.
Mundo
People use the word queer to take back it’s power from homophobes. It works! Paz.
Polaro
Yes, but queer and gay are not interchangeable. Queer is a nebulous word. Gay is specific.
Donston
I might take a look at some point. But the reviews haven’t been promising. And it looks like an overly glossy, shallow production that’s hyper focus on being sordid and shocking, too reminiscent of Murphy’s work on the Versace miniseries.
Ronbo
Who really cares? You don’t need to comment on everything.
Vince
Well, I thought it was great. McGregor nailed the voice and mannerisms of Halston completely and didn’t shy away from the sex like getting nailed in the ass behind the trucks.
I don’t really get into these kind of drama’s but it was kind of fascinating watching the drama between himself and Calvin, the boyfriends, and then selling his name off and of course the Studio 54 stuff and the mountain of drugs they all did.
His Boyfriend Victor was a real trip. Talk about toxic.
BoomerMyles
At least I learned he designed Liza Minelli’s outfits in Cabinet. (He never received a credit for it in the film).
HankHarris
Elsa Perretti was the most interesting part of the show. Halston was so talented but didn’t have smart advisors.
MissTerri
No thank you I prefer Quality Cinema!!!!
Kangol2
I was skeptical but it’s quite entertaining, and I ended up feeling very bad for Ed, Halston’s initial boyfriend, who would have been the emotional rock Halston needed. Instead, he took with the wild messy queen, Victor, and…well, watch the series. There’s a documentary about Halston that covers much of this ground, and it’s better as history, but it doesn’t Ewen McGregor parading around in sunglasses, slicked back hair and a turtleneck like the real Halston, which is to say, it isn’t half as exciting, though it is more informative. I recommend it, if just for the acting. The actress who plays Liza Minnelli really sparkles.
Prax07
Binged it in one night, thought it was really good. Love Ewan, so that probably helped my enjoyment of it.
Polaro
I watched it and found it to be a parody of Halston. In many ways it was mean-spirited and hollow. The documentary is a much better movie.
lykeitiz
Anyone thinking about watching this should trust this article, as well as the commenters with positive remarks. I’m saying this because I went into it very unsure. Like someone else mentioned, I had mixed feelings about the Versace treatment, plus I wasn’t really as familiar with Halston, therefore not completely vested.
The acting was great, by everyone. Bitter hags will be bitter hags. Check it out!
Polaro
I agree people should watch it, but a good film would show that even bitter hags have more than one dimension. Perhaps if you actually did know something about Haltson, Liza, Elsa Peretti, Studio 54, etc. you might see where the biopic fell short.
Dick Gozinia
It was good but I did not love it. Like so many series on Netflix and Prime, this would make an excellent movie if they would edit those 5 episodes down to a single movie 1.5 to 2.0 hours long. That said, Ewan McGregor was excellent.
s
Gay history NOT queer history. For gay men, the past is all we have because we’ve been virtually erased at PRIDE and more today. Wouldn’t be surprised if they forced a change in the lettering to read +QQTBLG – or force us to say we’re queer. I’m gay. Not queer.
DennisMpls
To each his own, of course. For me, I’m gay AND queer!!!
Donston
No one is forcing you to refer to yourself as “queer”. No one cares what you want to call yourself.
This site really is a magnet for bitter and/or problematic (and perhaps a bit up there in age) queens who do nothing but rant about what’s wrong with the today’s world but otherwise have little to no of value to add to any convo.
Fname Optional Lname
Queer is not going away. It is a word many have taken back and embraced by many. People identifying as queer does not mean they demand others do the same.
ScottOnEarth
You’re better off watching the real documentary, with actual interviews and footage of Halston at his incredible peak.
Chrisk
I did and enjoyed both.
Celtic
I watched this Series and enjoyed it. The excesses, especially with drugs and alcohol, are displayed without remorse or concern. My one curiosity: Was Halston really that much of a queen? I did not know how thick his friendship with Liza was. The Series is worthy of at least one viewing.