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Show 4 - VIEW MAGAZINE I can still remember the first time I Reeve Michael Caine. I was only 10, so the kiss had no real effect on me. I just remember thinking weird. Jo) and DECEMBER 1997 Mies To) saw two men kissing on screen. The movie was Deathtrap and the kiss was between Christopher . THURSDAY, Tower Theater's Gay and Lesbian Film Festival by Ryan Hinman it was kind of 1 I also recall, with much more clarikiss between two ty, the men in Torch Song Trilogy. By this time I was 16 and the scene caused me to flee the theater in horror. Although I lived in California where basically anything goes, mainstream movies paid little attention to the gay lifestyle. That was nine years ago and times have changed drastically. The movie ) ; . Philadelphia, received critical acclaim, and homosexual characters have played major roles in a number of Hollywood films this year (My Best Friend's Wedding, Boogie Nights, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil). kiss between two The men or women also produces less of a shock for me, as my level of tolerance (or perhaps exposure) has increased over the years. This month at the Tower Theater, tolerance and acceptance appear the primary message of the Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Though these films may hold more appeal for those of the gay community, the messages within them extend well beyond the homosexual lifestyle. The one film I was able to view in time for this article contains subject matter of particular interest to the Utah community. Late Bloomers tells the fictional story of Dinah Groshardt, a high school teacher accused by Carly of Joely Richardson and Jason Flemyng in Hollow Reed, playing December having an affair with her husband Rom. Dinah spends quite a bit of time also a school teacher with Rom Iff) I&fc: ? MkL a u Fine Szechuan and Mandarin Cuisine and appears to have a close relationship with him. The truth is there is no affair, and Carly and Dinah soon become good friends. The friendship quickly develops into a love affair and Carly is faced with the possibility of losing her family. Dinah is also faced with the possibility of losing her job, as she is the high school gym teacher. Sound familiar? The story is incredibly similar to the controversy surrounding gym teacher Wendy Weaver in Fayson, Utah. With the exception of Dinah's relationship with the married Carly, the situations that follow in the film closely resemble those in the Payson situation. Though the film does contain a few bright moments as do most films it lacks any real situational or character development. Yes, Carly is in a stagnant marriage, but she is obviously in love with her husband, as she is angered by the possibility of an affair. Knowing this makes it hard to understand why she falls for Dinah. The problems within her family are 11-1- 4. also very surface. The rebellious teenage daughter and boring husband are common in even the family, and staples in a multitude of "dysfunctional family" films. Director Julia Dyer takes no risks with her film as well. The visual storytelling is reduced to lengthy montages and melodrama in hopes of sparking our emotions. A scene in which Dinah montage, no less and Carly play basketball in the nude feels more exploitative than sincere. In addition to the drab storytelling, I really didn't care about anyone. Traditional Cuisine Contemporary Elegance Need ORGANIC CHEMISTRY but afraid to start wuTrrqiiarter because of the shift to semesters next Fall? the standard boring housewe never really learn much and wife, of Dinah. You can only draw your own conclusions as to who she really is, if she has any family, if she was always attracted to women, etc. As a heterosexual and novice in watching gay and lesbian films, I have to wonder if this movie could do more damage than good in understanding the gay community. Dinah seems the Carly is stereotypical lesbian, reclusive and unattractive. Also, Carhs sudden transition to the lesbian lifestyle appears to be in direct conflict to the current belief that homosexuality is something you are born with. Her late blooming, as the title suggests, was for me more of a response to an unfulfilling relationship than a gradual realization of a personal desire. Though Late Bloomers didn't quite cut it for me, the festival will surely have something for everyone. The films lilies (Dec. Holbw Reeds (Dec. Open Daily for Dinner and Weekdays for Lunch FEArcNQft. start Chemistry 231;in winter quarter and finish the sequence either n the summer (with the traditional Chemistry 233) or next fail by taking Chemistry 2322f This isispecial one ime offering equivalent to 233 In content, credit and time in class. sxz.m , . r- Students with strong chemistry fcicfccurtdsdesiring a SMaIl 307 West 200 South Salt Lake City Utah 84101 For Reservations Please Call 801.328.8688 CLASS EXPERIEKCH 0) The Watermelon have won numer- ous awards and critical attention on You can V", and 11-1- Woman (Dec. (25 stuc0nts) should consider CHemistry 231 II in winter quarter. You can finish this Honors sequence vyith Chemistry 2323 next fall. See Prof. Peter Stang (room 221 4 Henry Eyring Building) for honors access information. the film festival circuit Lilies won four Canadian Oscars, including Best Picture. They should appeal to audiences in search of intelligent entertainment, as well as with the to those who are uneasy thought of attending a "gay" film. Likewise, the film festival will run and Latin Boys Go To Hell (Dec' Thank God Tm A Lesbian (dec. 13-1- 11-1- for those movie-goewho are looking for lighter movie fare. The Gay and Lesbian Film Festival rs begins Dec 5 and continues through Dec. 18. For more information about the festival please call the Tower Theater at 297-404- 0. |
