Torch Song Trilogy (film)

Infobox Film
name = Torch Song Trilogy


image_size = 150px
caption = Film poster
director = Paul Bogart
producer = Ronald K. Fierstein
writer = Harvey Fierstein
(play, screenplay)
starring = Anne Bancroft
Matthew Broderick
Harvey Fierstein
Brian Kerwin
Karen Young
Eddie Castrodad
Ken Page
music = Peter Matz
Allan K. Rosen
cinematography = Mikael Salomon
editing = Nicholas C. Smith
distributor = New Line Cinema
released = 14 December 1988
runtime = 120 min.
country = USA
language = English
gross = US$4.9 million
website =
amg_id = 1:50471
imdb_id = 96289

"Torch Song Trilogy" is a 1988 film adapted by Harvey Fierstein from his play of the same title. The film was directed by Paul Bogart, starring Fierstein as Arnold, Anne Bancroft as Mrs. Beckoff, Matthew Broderick as Alan, Brian Kerwin as Ed, and Eddie Castrodad as David. Wanting to highlight the work of female impersonator Charles Pierce, Fierstein created the role of Bertha Venation specifically for him. Broderick originally refused the role of Alan because he was recuperating from an automobile accident in Ireland. Tate Donovan was cast, but two days into the rehearsal period Broderick had a change of heart and contacted Fierstein, who fired Donovan.

While the play was film was restricted to a running time of two hours at the insistence New Line Cinema, necessitating much editing and excisions, and the time frame was regressed to a decade earlier than the play.

Film plot synopsis

*In "The International Stud", set in 1971, Arnold meets Ed and they fall in love. Ed, however, is uncomfortable with his bisexuality; he leaves Arnold for a girlfriend, whom he subsequently marries.
*"Fugue in a Nursery" begins at Christmas 1973, when Arnold meets the love of his life, Alan, a model. They settle down together, later spending a weekend with Ed and his wife, where their relationship is tested but endures. Eventually, they arrange to adopt a child together. At the end of the act, however, Alan is killed in a homophobic attack.
*"Widows and Children First!" is set in the spring of 1980. Arnold's mother comes to visit from Florida and, after disapproving of Arnold's homosexuality and adoption of a gay teenage son (David), as well as Arnold's use of a family burial plot for Alan, they have a series of arguments where Arnold demands that she accept him for who he is. The following morning, before she returns to Florida, they have a conversation where, for the first time, they seem to understand each other.

Awards and nominations

At the 1989 Deauville Film Festival, Bogart was nominated for the Critics Award and won the Audience Award. The film was nominated for Best Feature and Fierstein was nominated for Best Male Lead at the Independent Spirit Awards that same year.

References

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External links

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