Instead, the story line goes off the deep end, with a blissful fantasy that denies many of the realities and struggles of the time. A gay Black writer and a Black actress make an Oscar-winning movie!
A young Rock Hudson falls in love with a Black man and they go public with their relationship! So many of the horrible things that resulted from racism and homophobia and sexism never have to happen! Working at the gas station that doubled as an escort service was a great summer-camp-like experience, and the pimp β I mean hero β who ran it was a great mentor!
I found it to be a simultaneously whimsical and profound final twist. At points, it seems to erase all of the pain and heartache β and worse β experienced by those who lived in that time and place under those circumstances.
It negates the accomplishments of the pioneers who arrived later in the century to push for diversity and equality. Even if you support its progressive principles, at moments you may get tired of hearing them stated and restated in the script.
Matthew Gilbert can be reached at matthew. Follow him MatthewGilbert. View Comments. Boston Globe Today.
