10 January,2015 06:50 AM IST | | Shakti Shetty
Films that gracefully highlight homosexuality might be comparatively fewer in numbers but some of them are indeed memorable
Homosexuality, gay-themed films, lesbian-themed films, LGBT fiction, Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game, Yossi & Jagger, Latter Days, Monster, Brokeback Mountain, Shelter, Milk, Were the World Mine, The Kids Are All Right, Weekend, The Paperboy, Str
We won-t be surprised if Benedict Cumberbatch bags the Best Actor gong at Oscars next month. After all, the buzz surrounding his performance in The Imitation Game is so loud that it-s hard to overlook his chances. The Sherlock star is essaying Alan Turning and it goes without mentioning that the celebrated mathematician-s sexual orientation plays a significant role in the biopic.
Benedict Cumberbatch
And for the record, so far, only four actors - Tom Hanks, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Charlize Theron and Sean Penn - have managed to win the Academy-s top prize by portraying gay characters. Which is also why hitlist is taking you on a walk through some of the finest films that showcased the various aspects of homosexuality without resorting to cinematic caricatureâ¦
Yossi & Jagger 2002
Director: Eytan Fox
Lowdown: Israel churns out about 35 films a year and this one was one of the bravest for its times. Centered in a military base, the story revolves around two army men who are in love with each other - unbeknownst to others, of course. The twist takes place when one of them passes away, leaving several loose ends.
Latter Days 2003
Director: C. Jay Cox
Lowdown: Religion and sexuality don-t always mix well. But with this movie, the writer-director chases the possibility of a hardened fanatic accepting who he really is. The finest part of this process being that he doesn-t vulnerable. On the contrary, what starts out as a silly bet ends up as the ultimate path to sexual redemption.
Monster 2003
Director: Patty Jenkins
Lowdown: Based on the troubled life of prostitute-turned-murderer Aileen Wuornos, Charlize Theron played the female protagonist whose only form of solace occurs in the form of Christina Ricci-s subdued character. Their relationship not only provides a glimpse of hope for Wuornos but also spells the doom for her.
Brokeback Mountain 2005
Director: Ang Lee
Lowdown: Writer Annie Proulx recently blamed this film for the misinterpretation of her short story which turned out to be the source of adapted screenplay. However, that doesn-t discount the fact that the sort of temporary romance shown between two cowboys couldn-t have been portrayed more sensitively.
Shelter 2007
Director: Jonah Markowitz
Lowdown: A surfer dude is unwillingly compromising on his artistic dreams for his family-s sake. Right when he-s coming to terms with his financial disabilities, he falls for his friend-s elder brother. What follows is a clandestine but beautiful relationship filled with enlightening bumps for both the men involved.
Milk 2008
Director: Gus Van Sant
Lowdown: Harvey Milk became one of the first openly gay officials in the United States. His interesting story finds a peg in this remarkable biopic where Sean Penn essayed him - almost perfectly - encompassing the socio-politico environment of the -70s. By the end of the film, tolerance, not homophobia, becomes the keyword.
Were the World Mine 2008
Director: Tom Gustafson
Lowdown: Scripts featuring homosexual characters have a propensity of embracing clichés. Especially when stage is concerned. But this film topples preset prejudices by introducing beefy rugby players in a Shakespearean theatre. Oh wait, magic has an intriguing part to play too for the gay protagonist!
The Kids Are All Right 2010
Director: Lisa Cholodenko
Lowdown: A lesbian couple Annette Bening and Julianne Moore are busy raising their kids when an information - in the form of Mark Ruffalo - from their past interrupts them. In the course of action, Moore-s ambiguous character wonders whether she is really gay while Annette-s understands the importance of being soft.
Weekend 2011
Director: Andrew Haigh
Lowdown: What begins as a casual one-night stand turns into something much deeper in essence between the two protagonists. One of the most acclaimed films of 2011, Weekend takes you on a tour through moments of expected intimacy and unexpected commitment. The best thing being the simple manner in which the film is executed.
The Paperboy 2012
Director: Lee Daniels
Lowdown: Can you ever imagine a movie in which Matthew McConaughey getting an erection ogling John Cusack? We couldn-t, either. However, in this film, that-s exactly what happens as McConaughey plays a closet gay lawyer. So much so his sexual leaning changes the entire story as the plot thickens into a messy marsh.
Stranger by the Lake 2013
Director: Alain Guiraudie
Lowdown: Set in a French lakeside village, homosexuality is in the air. For more than half of the screentime, men are naked and on their way to swim. This idyllic setting takes a grim turn when murder is suspected instead of accident. That-s also when the young protagonist learns a lesson about the price love when confused with lust can make one pay.
Blue Is the Warmest Color 2013
Director: Abdellatif Kechiche
Lowdown: It can-t possibly get more explicit than this. Fortunately, titillation isn-t the motive of this French feature on budding women. What begins as a mean of sexual explortation ends up as a love story that is heartbreakingly unrequited. Adèle Exarchopoulos couldn-t have dreamt of a stronger - or for that matter, exposed - role.
