1985

Audience Reviews

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Theodore M Apr 8, 2019 Well done story of the early AIDS crisis, but painful to watch for those of us who lost so many friends who had tough times with their blood flamilies. . See more

Ron P Feb 10, 2019 With such a weighty topic, it was weird to me to have it all in black and white and for it to labor on the way it did. The film let all the conflicts arise - but seemed unfulfilling in its resolution to him dancing in a club at the end. Had an 'it gets better' message that then asked, "better for what?" See more

Hagrid M Jan 14, 2019 Heavily influenced by 80s queer indie cinema and in particular films like Parting Glances or Longtime Companion, director/co-writer Yen Tan shot this in black and white and on a shoestring budget, often with slightly stilted or awkward dialogue and static camerawork. Cory Michael Smith (Gotham) is a young closeted gay man who has escaped his conservative and religious family in Texas for New York, now returning home for the Christmas holidays with a suitcase of expensive gifts and secrets he wants to share but is hesitant to reveal. With a cast that also includes Virginia Madsen, Michael Chiklis and Jamie Chung, either Tan has an amazing phonebook or it's a passion project for those involved. Even though the story itself is nothing I have not seen before, it is a commendable and well constructed film that's full of subtle performances and fits perfectly in the niche market that it seeks to serve. Therefore, it seems somewhat superfluous for a film that wears that genre label so proudly, to be so coy in the first half about the lead character's sexuality as if it was setting up a twisty surprise. In fact, more surprising are the ways the film deals with the parents played by Madsen and Chiklis, who deliver quietly moving and poignant moments in separate pivotal scenes. It may have been more special, groundbreaking even, if this was made in 1985, but for 2019, it certainly feels a little more ordinary and old-hat now. See more

Draco S Dec 21, 2018 12/27/2018 Set in the 1980's when the AIDS epidemic was slowly talking shape, this is a family's account of coping with their elder son's affliction while on vacation in Texas. See more

Hermione W Dec 20, 2018 Harrowing story about the AIDS epidemic that destroyed so many lives, which gets nicely put together in a tough personal story from one man whose counterparts might know him better than himself. Its gripping, and one of this years true independent films. See more

Han G Dec 19, 2018 This is a simple, and simply wonderful film, telling it like it was in 1985. Great strond and true performances from the entire cast. Not to be missed. See more

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1985

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