Torch Song Trilogy (DVD)

This is a wonderful movie. I’m not gay but I understand heartbreak, recovering and growing stronger from loss , they’re universal. And there’s humor in abundance. The main character, Arnold is a strong and quirky. Saw the movie years ago… have a VHS growing old. Having this classic story of growth , loss and recovery…and healing is a must see. I revisit it time to time, stays warm and fresh!Can’t find it to stream. Love story in high heels and wigs!

Have watched this several times. Enjoying very much

Wonderful movie, ahead of its time. I do not understand why this is not available for streaming in digital format.

In 1988, the film version of the Tony Award-winning, landmark play "Torch Song Trilogy", which was written by the outspoken and very witty Harvey Fierstein, was released to theaters. Written originally as three separate one-act plays between 1978 and 1979 ("The International Stud", "Fugue in a Nursery" and "Widows and Children First"), Harvey Fierstein combined them into the more familiar three-act play "Torch Song Trilogy" in 1981 since each one-act play focused on the life of a gay man named Arnold (played by Harvey Fierstein), who is a gay drag-show entertainer. In the first act, Arnold meets a stranger at a bar named Ed (Brian Kerwin). A precarious relationship develops quickly between Ed and Arnold, but Ed also wants to marry a woman named Laurel (Karen Young). In the second act, Arnold meets a young man named Alan (Matthew Broderick) at the club where Arnold performs. A long-term relationship develops between Arnold and Alan until an unexpected tragedy occurs. The third act focuses on Arnold taking care of a teenaged son, David (Eddie Castrodad) that he & Alan had adopted, as well as Arnold's ongoing difficulties with his mother (Anne Bancroft).With excellent dialog, engaging personalities and superb acting, "Torch Song Trilogy" is a fantastic film, demonstrating not only the love that exists within gay couples, but also the very real difficulties that many gay men face in their daily lives, including the all-too-often difficulties with family members who cannot accept them for who they are. Harvey Fierstein's unique voice adds a special flare to his drag show performances, as well as to his arguments with his mother. Anne Bancroft's performance is superb and emotional. Matthew Broderick did a wonderful portraying Alan. Interestingly, he had played the teenaged son David when "Torch Song Trilogy" was being performed on stage as a play. Brian Kerwin and Karen Young also portray their roles well. Other significant characters in the film include Bertha Venation (Charles Pierce), Marina Del Rey (Alex Vera), the young Arnold (Benji Schulman) and Murray (Kevin Page). Overall, I rate "Torch Song Trilogy" with 5 out of 5 stars. It's especially great to be able to watch the film on widescreen DVD.

I thought this was along those lines of Biloxi Blues or the usual Matthew Broderick 1980s fare and so have avoided it for years. Then I found out Anne Bancroft was in it... Well, who can pass up an Anne Bancroft film?Harvey Fierstein, this is a masterpiece.I read in an interview that he did not want this to be a Gay/AIDs film, he just wanted it to be about a guy looking for love, he succeeded in doing that enormously well.I think this film should be seen by everyone, homosexuals included, that think "being gay" is all that makes a person what they are.We all have that same need for love and acceptance, insecurities and doubts and I challenge anyone who sees this film not to see a part of themselves in Arnold.Am sorry I missed out on seeing this film for the past 30-odd years, it is a keeper.

Thoroughly ashamed to admit that somehow I never saw the original off-Broadway production, so this was my chance to fill in an important gap.This production is priceless; not only does it chronicle gay life back in the 70's and 80's but it tells us (read between the lines) that these issues are as relevant now as they were back then.The film also provides a lovely and poignant backward look in time that NY'ers will appreciate.This is well before the "bitter nostalgia" of "Jeremiah's Vanishing New York"; all that had vanished lives again.The old Jewish cemetery in Brooklyn, the discount women's wear store (probably on Orchard St. or thereabouts), Anne Bancroft's delightful "snowbirds" reference ".....we go to Florida, it's what we do" and affordable rent stabilized apartments, but on a darker note gay bashing is revealed and sadly that is still with us.If you remember subway seats that were covered in wicker (yes they really were) and have "gaps" in your life that need to be filled put this film on your list of "must watch" movies and if you're young enough to be scratching your head, watch, listen and do a little research.

This is an old movie one of the first in the drag world ,Harvey Feinstein wrote and stared in the stage show and movie he also wrote both. A different look at the world of drag not in a rue Paul's way but the life outside of the quite seedy 1980's new york club scene, he fall's in love only to be betrayed then one night a group of male model enter the club one ( Mathew Broderick) finishes up in the home of the Feinstein character he throws him out the next. Later he returns to the club to apologize love blossoms we are taken through the highs and lows Feinstein's mother trays to understand but doesn't when his father dies it comes to a head. A really good movie of it's time don't look on it as a Gay movie it's not but a slice of new york life in the era.

This was hysterically funny and heartbreaking at the same time. The relationship between the mother and her gay son was viscerally portrayed; you never doubted that they genuinely loved one another, and the film shows just how like one another they are, which made it all the more heartbreaking when she, at first, could neither understand nor accept her son. I was sad when the lover died and felt that it would have been better if the son could have ended up with someone who didn't take such a helluva long time to work out that: "What I have with you and your son is the closest thing to what I want". Sheesh. The film makes a case for gays being parents and for uncompromised acceptance that is courageous and pulls no punches. Yes, it is dated but what doesn't date is the marvellous performances and the truth of relationships plus it doesn't protray every straight person as bigoted and the relationship between mother and son is complex instead of one-sided.

Just enjoyed a wonderful step into the past with the "Torch Song Trilogy" VHS I just bought on Amazon and watched again. The film wasn't available on DVD, so it was nostalgic already, to revisit the old VHS technology. What a brilliant film it is, really finely written (terrific Harvey Fierstein) cast, acted and directed - very personal, funny, sad and a really "human" story. I expect attitudes have relaxed and become more tolerant in many quarters (not all) since this play and film came out in the early 1980s, but it's a moving and touching story. I hope young people get to see it these days, and for anyone, it's the perfect movie for a cosy, "feelgood" night in.

I've loved this film for years - though sad in parts, it really is quite amusing on the whole. After much searching, I managed to find it on DVD with English subtitles - my personal policy is to have subtitles available for my partner's benefit. It's good to know I can now watch it at will and in good quality.The film itself is based on a story by Harvey Fierstein, also the main star of the film. Anne Bancroft, appearing as Arnold's mother, puts in a wonderful performance and, by the end, it seems that she is finally beginning to understand. Matthew Broderick as Alan is also good, though a short-lived character. And I have to say that Eddie Castrodad's appearance as David is well worth seeing.

I had looked for this on DVD in the UK for years. It had officially been withdrawn for some reason. When I saw it I had to buy it.I would have gladly paid double for it.