Pride Month hasn’t traditionally been a notable time for queer cinema, but this year is different. Several LGBTQ+ movies have been released in theaters or to streaming. For a gay guy like me, who remembers when queer films of any type were a rare event, the cluster of releases is gratifying. What’s especially notable is that in many of the movies, the central theme isn’t just sexuality or gender. Rather, the LGBTQ+ characters are in genres such as comedy and horror as well as the expected character dramas. What follows is a roundup of four new queer films that demonstrate how varied queer cinema can be.
“Stop! That! Train!”
The comedy “Stop! That! Train!” is essentially an “Airplane”-type farce populated largely by drag personalities and other over-the-top performers. It’s surprising how little that changes the formula, which still demands as many jokes as possible in the hope that quantity will offset variations in quality. The drag of it all just adds to the silliness and gives it some fizz.
In “Stop! That! Train!,” disaster movies are being parodied – again. A luxury train is carrying carloads of quirky characters toward a “Stormaggeddon” and calamity. Will our heroines, DeeDee and Tess, train stewards and friends since school, be able to save the day? Will their friendship survive the many challenges ahead of it, including the bitchiness of a trio of other “mean girl” stewards? You’ll have to see the movie to find out. (Or maybe you can guess.) Along the way you’ll get RuPaul as the president of the United States, looking to redeem herself after running over a child with a train long ago, as well as a bunch of other drag stars who make cameo appearances. Even if you don’t recognize many of the performers – I didn’t – you’ll have fun. Director Alan Shankman keeps the film moving fast and looking good.
Director: Adam Shankman. Writers: Christina Friel, Connor Wright. Stars Brock Hayhoe, Paul Scheer, Symone, Joel McHale, Marty Lauter. Rating: R. Running Time1h 32m. Now in theaters.
“Leviticus”
The most expert of the recent queer genre efforts is the Australian horror film “Leviticus,” which takes its title from a book of the Bible that contains a passage often cited by people to condemn homosexuality. In the movie, several teenagers who have been caught having queer sex are subjected to a religious curse. Under the spell, murderous apparitions, who look like the person they love most, stalk and harm them. It’s the ultimate aversion therapy: Is that the person I care about, or are they something that wants to kill me?
“Leviticus” succeeds on several levels. It’s a romance, as the two main characters, Naim and Ryan, try to hold onto their relationship under the direst circumstances. The film delivers the required tension and scares. Ultimately, “Leviticus” is a disturbing and sad parable about homophobia, portraying the damage done by people who would rather see someone suffer and possibly die than love them for who they are.
Director: Adrian Chiarella. Writer: Adrian Chiarella. Stars: Joe Bird, Stacy Clausen, Jeremy Blewitt, Ewen Leslie, Davida McKenzie. Rating: R. Running Time:1h 28m. Now in Theaters.
“Girls Like Girls”
A romantic drama, “Girls Like Girls,” follows a more conventional path, making the sexuality of its main characters its dramatic engine. The picture expands a music video director Hayley Kiyoko had made to accompany her hit song from 2015, also called “Girls Like Girls.” In the movie, teenager Coley is withdrawn and sad after the death of her mother. She now lives with a father she barely knows. While adjusting to her new circumstances, Coley crushes on Sonya, a beautiful schoolmate who encourages the infatuation while struggling with her own impulses.
“Girls Like Girls” fills a gap: Not many films have told the story of teenage girls falling in love with each other. Therein lies the movie’s value. Heaven knows, even suggesting these days that an adolescent girl could love other girls could cause an uproar in some communities. Unfortunately, the film doesn’t break free from many of the clichés about teen romance. It tends to languish, especially in its first half, as Coley often broods alone in grief and uncertainty. A lot of wounded feelings and misunderstandings, typical of young love, happen on the way to a hopeful ending.
Director: Hayley Kiyoko. Writers: Hayley Kiyoko, Stefanie Scott, Chloe Okuno. Stars: Maya da Costa, Myra Molloy, Zach Braff, Levon Hawke, Alozie LaRose. Rating: R. Running Time: 1h 35m. Now in Theaters.
“Miss You, Love You”
The big screen isn’t the only place to see a new LGBTQ+ movie. HBO Max recently premiered “Miss You, Love You,” a drama starring Allison Janey and Andrew Rannells. The setup for the film’s conflict is a contrivance: While overseas, an estranged son sends his gay personal assistant to help his mother plan his stepfather’s funeral. The mother is bitter about the arrangement, and the assistant – even-tempered at first – eventually discloses his own issues with the absent son and the circumstances.
It’s evident that the movie’s scenario started as a play. This is a two-hander, with revelations doled out periodically, and barely any other characters of note. From the start, the mother’s attitude is less one of grief for a much-loved husband, as it should be, and more about being acerbic to provide theatrical fireworks. The good news is that Janney and Rannells are in top form as the dramatic combatants. “Miss You, Love You” is diverting and enjoyable, although in the end, I’m not sure what it’s about except for some effective star turns.
Director: Jim Rash. Writer: Jim Rash. Stars: Allison Janney, Bonnie Hunt, Andrew Rannells, Oscar Nuñez, Suzy Nakamura. Rating: Not Rated. Running Time 1h 37m. On HBO Max.
Although I’d rank a couple of these movies higher than the others, I didn’t regret seeing any of them. (They also all run a brisk 90 minutes or so.) Taken as a whole, they hearten me. Despite an uncongenial political climate, this small sampling shows that queer filmmakers continue to work and find new and effective ways to claim space in the cinema firmament. Moreover, LGBTQ+ people and their allies can celebrate Pride Month by going to the movies!
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