Cory Michael Smith's "1985" - Who Saw or Liked This?
This is a film about a darling gay man who comes home to the suburbs of Fort Worth, Texas, for one last Christmas with his family. He's an educated gay living in New York City in 1985, so surprise-surprise, he's dying of AIDS. But he won't tell his family this. They don't even know he's gay. The film shows his stony, hick-adjacent parents as being deeply religious Reaganites who simply wouldn't understand. He does a lot to bond with his younger brother, a swishy drama geek who loves Madonna and The Smiths, and is obviously destined for gayhood himself. Smith brings a gentle dignity to his character, tying up a few loose ends but leaving most as they were. He gives strong monologues about the AIDS Era, and losing all of his friends and his lover.
It's gritty and odd, even by oddball indie standards. It's shot in black-and-white, and edited rather choppily. Had it had a bigger budget, it might've been a longer and brighter film, but Hollywood would've tacked on their typical "AIDS Drama" ending, which this one thankfully lacks.
Who saw it?
Offsite Linkby Anonymous | reply 11 | March 25, 2023 7:29 AM
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Based on my thread on the film, you claimed you did.
by Anonymous | reply 1 | March 12, 2023 8:49 PM
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Awesome.
We haven't had a really good AIDS flick in quite awhile.
by Anonymous | reply 2 | March 12, 2023 8:51 PM
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R2 Unless you count Dawson's 50 Load Weekend!
Wear a condom! The 80s never ended!!!!!
by Anonymous | reply 4 | March 12, 2023 8:56 PM
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[quote]Unless you count Dawson's 50 Load Weekend!
That film is 18 yrs old!
by Anonymous | reply 5 | March 12, 2023 8:58 PM
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R5 Ugh, I hate that number!
by Anonymous | reply 6 | March 12, 2023 8:59 PM
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R2 nice to see you had to resort you replying to yourself.
And thanks for handing me even more proof of stalking and harassment. Ridiculous you have so many of my old thread topics saved.
by Anonymous | reply 7 | March 12, 2023 8:59 PM
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I loved it. Very gentle - great performances from Cory and Virginia Madsen playing his mother. Their scene together in the car as he was leaving had me choked up.
by Anonymous | reply 8 | March 12, 2023 8:59 PM
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Watched it and thought the direction was pretty pedestrian. Really let down in that regard.
by Anonymous | reply 10 | March 12, 2023 9:01 PM
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He's gay. Who is his boyfriend? Is he dating anyone?
by Anonymous | reply 11 | March 25, 2023 7:29 AM
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