1990

June 6, 2004
Sundance
USA
English

A group of homosexuals, watching their lovers and friends dying of AIDS, decide to become actively involved in fighting the disease -- LONGTIME COMPANION.

A bit clunky and dated now, but what an impression it made back in 1990. There is none of the QUEER AS FOLK explicit sex that is becoming more and more routine. But the thought of two men kissing was monumental fourteen years ago. Bruce Davison urging his lover to "just let go" is still wrenching. A young Campbell Scott plays the paranoid friend, who scrubs after every possible encounter with an infected person. The cast also includes Mary-Louise Parker, whose southern accent comes and goes. Also, playing the biggest flamer of the group, is Dermot Mulroney, who has matching Ray Ban frames for every occasion. And finally, in answer to that trivia question we've all been wondering about: whatever happened to that hot guy from SIXTEEN CANDLES last seen on the dining room table with Molly Ringwald? Well, here he is.

There have been much better films made about life during AIDS, but this one was the first from a major studio.

~~Oscar nomination for Bruce Davison for Best Supporting Actor.

***^ Ebert