Customer Reviews

Parting Glances [VHS]

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the years since it was first released, "Parting Glances" has acquired a loyal following. Few movies dealing in a gay social context are as appealing, unpretentious, or--best of all--as emotionally genuine.

Bill Sherwood's little film doesn't feature any big-name glamorous stars. The most recognizable names are Steve Buscemi (in fact, the spine of the DVD package reads "Steve Buscemi in Parting Glances") and Kathy Kinney, who has become known to millions for her hilarious character on "The Drew Carey Show." Kinney and especially Buscemi are excellent here. But so are most of the other actors. One thing that makes the film work so well is its use of performers who are not all movie-star beautiful. John Bolger plays a character who is supposed to be handsome, and he certainly fits the bill, as does Adam Nathan. But this movie is not just another excuse to display beautiful people. It has at its core an honesty that draws in the viewer and makes him/her feel like part of the proceedings. There is plenty of gentle humor and a few big laughs. There is also one deeply moving scene the sticks in the mind afterward like a revelation about the connection between people. Sherwood was a musician and there are many interesting and creative selections to be heard in the soundtrack. A couple of New York locations are used to good effect as well.

As far as the DVD issue is concerned. There aren't any real complaints. Picture and sound are as good as can be expected of a low-budget, independent film. "Extras" include text-only information about the making of the film. An interview with Buscemi, Kinney or any others would have been good. An irresistably charming and heartfelt film

"Parting Glances" was introduced to me by a filmmaker friend. I agree it's the best gay film ever made, the best AIDs film ever made, and tremendously touching at many levels. Whenever I watch it I think of my own life when I first saw it. Since that time I've lost my lover, his Dad, my Dad, my Mom, my best friend and virtually everyone who comprised my family. I, who never dreamt I'd be alone and never wanted to be alone, have known a lot of parting glances. Don't know where the filmmaker friend is now, but he parted too (I hope, at least, he's still making films). It's the same story so many people can tell. At least I/we have the movie.

Probably the best gay theme movie I've ever seen, if not one of the best movies I've ever seen. It feels like the companion piece to Andrew Holleran's novel, "Dancer From The Dance"... a must read. The characters are realistic, the situation is simultaneously realistic and poetic, giving the film its combination of poignancy and euphoric rush. To the straight viewer, if you want an insight into the gay mind space, and the sadness of AIDS, whilst affirming life, this is the movie. SEE IT!

Parting Glances is a bit of life forever immortalized on film. It is truly endearing and real. It's mid eighties NYC, gay young America and early AIDS all rolled into a witty, intelligent film about real characters with umph. Parting Glances is special little film that sticks with you forever. Richard Ganoung, who has rarely been seen since is a gem, as is a young Steve Buscemi. This is what it is like to be gay! Most gay themed films can't even come close to this genuine, low budget gem.

...at the bottom of the ocean? A: A good start.

I gave this movie four stars partly because I think five stars should be saved for really amazing, original, breathtaking movies -- something like Heathers or Being John Malkovich. There are, in my opinion, weaknesses in the script and production (the Fire Island prank at the end needs work, for instance), which hurt the movie as a whole.

But that doesn't mean I don't love Parting Glances, it's still one of my favorite movies, and holds up very well under re-watching. I suspect that most people who feel about a movie the way I feel about this one would rate it 5 stars, so take it that way if you wish.

I don't see this film as being about a breakup, but it's ambiguous enough that it could be, so I won't quibble. But I must disagree with folks who say how nice it would be if Sherwood had only lived long enough to make another movie. He had the time, but couldn't raise the money. I remember reading an interview with him somewhere, in which he told of getting calls from closeted Hollywood personnel who admired the film and were willing to throw him some closeted work - which he wasn't willing to do. If he didn't make another movie, it's as much because of the cowardice of the movie business (hence the joke I borrow from Demme's cowardly Philadelphia) as because of Sherwood's untimely death.

On a whim, I purcahsed this DVD without knowing much about it other than reading some of the reviews on Amazon, and the fact that Richard Ganoung was one of its stars. After receiving my DVD last Friday, I've watched the movie four times already. If that doesn't say alot...

What amazes me about this film is its honesty and realness. Bill Sherwood set out in '86 to create a film to accomplish exactly that. It covers a wide variety of topics, from relationship dynamics, to AIDS, to friendship, in such a way that every moment of this film seems real. The film doesn't seem dated, but timeless. The performances of Richard Ganoung, and Steve Buscemi, are real and frought with undercurrents of love and emotion.

If you are a DVD collector, please consider adding this treasure to your collection.

This is an excellent film, a piece of pop culture making it history. The film effectively weaves vignettes of past, present and future attitudes regarding homosexuality into a cohesive docu-drama snapshot of where we have been, where we were(in the early 1980's) and where we hoped to be. This was the first time I saw Steve Buscemi and have enjoyed his charaters ever since. Kathy Kinney is great as well. I wish there were more appearances in later works by Adam Nathan, Richard Ganoung and John Bolger. This is a great film for those who want to experience a great bit of nostalgia.

Parting Glances is simply an exhilerating film experience. Almost everyone in this film has gone on to successful acting careers. It is heartfelt, beautifully written, gracefully filmed and edited, and filled with powerful emotions. Rarely have I seen a film of any type that has the emotional resonance of this film (I think of powerful films such as Cries and Whispers, Fanny and Alexander, Zeferelli's Romeo and Juliet, Nights of Cabiria, Hannah and Her Sisters, and others that have great emotional impact like Parting Glances).

Granted this is not Bergman, Allen, Fellini, but the emotional impact ranks with films created by those extraordinary directors.

I have watched this film many times over the years since I saw it opening week. It's never lost it's impact and I am greatful to have it in my collection of films that are in my library to help and put life in perspective.

This is a great little movie.

What makes Parting Glances among the best of gay themed films is that it is first and foremost good film making...good writing. One way or another, Bill Sherwood knew that the demands of storytelling come first. So, while the gayness of the characters is inseprable from the story, it never becomes the story. These are characters indvidually realized. If any straight friends were curious about a gay themed film, this is the one I would put in their hands.
You might think a film about 24 hours in a man's life might end up being another "slice of life" shapeless slog-fest. Not in this case. The film has pace; there's nothing extraneous; nothing that doesn't add to your appreciation of the characters, whether it's a side bar discussion about a Flemmish painting, or a flash-back fantasy of a marauding romp around a Fire Island queen's swimming pool...everything contributes and moves the story forward.
It's a shame film making has lost Bill Sherwood. We can only wonder what else he might have created. Parting Glances is a beautiful legacy.

An extraordinary film on all levels. It is an insightful experience for straights into what it is like to be gay -- but just as importantly, a thought-provoking look at relationships between people, regardless of sexual persuasion. All three lead actors were excellent. Steve Buscemi had the role with the most meat, and sparkled. But Richard Ganoung and John Bolger, as two just-regular-guy types were great as well. I can't agree with one reviewer who criticized Bolger's performance, and neither can several gay male friends, who appreciated his spontaneous, accurate portrayal (particularly impressive, as Bolger is heterosexual). In fact, it's those two regular guys and their situation that makes it easy for straights to appreciate this as a relationship flick. Different from Love Valour Compassion, but equally good. Definitely a must see for any thoughtful human being.