Movie Reviews -
Gay Themed

This film is an ambitious costume drama with a very interesting storyline at its hand. Sadly, the low budget is very evident and for some reason, it takes away the fun because of it. I can totally see stuff like this happening in olden times when, just a. Whiff of homosexuality could land you in all kinds of troubles. Once you look past the budget, this film is actually not at all bad. Penelope is learning piano and has a crush of sorts on her teacher, but she doesn't control her destiny. She is married off, by her parents, to a shy and introverted Jonathan. They move into his family’s empty estate where not a great deal happens because of Jonathan’s hatred of social occasions and he generally prefers quiet life. The duo haven't even consummated their marriage and day by day Penelope's frustration grows. To her shock, one day when Penelope discovers that her new husband is having an affair with George the Butler, she finally understands Jonathan’s reclusive personality. Geo...

For a change, the lead trans character in this sitcom, is a self-centered, easily bored agent of chaos; unlike what we usually see as a serious subject. Inherently lazy and a person who doesn't hesitate to use friends and is constantly lying, this was indeed a different cast of trans character that I have seen in recent times. The sitcom is an easy watch with only 6 episodes each of about 22-23 minutes. This workplace comedy set in a supermarket packs its pacy storylines with plenty of gags, and from all sorts of angles and slapstick humor. Supermarket manager Simon is trying to have the most inclusive workplace having launched an accidentally transphobic advertising campaign. A female dwarf, Millie, and a tall, black woman, Beefy don’t cut the mustard, so he thinks the answer is to look up “transgenders in the area”. He remembers that his employee Tim has a trans roommate Olivia, who is inherently lazy. Tom emotionally blackmails her to join the job. Simon assures her “We want you...

Trust BBC to always come up with show that constantly redefine content but also find stories (this one is inspired by a true story), that give a great representation of the LGBTQ+ community. I have seen many stories about trans people, but I am not aware of a major production house creating a series of this magnitude, reminding people that trans lives have always existed, and will continue to exist long after this moment. Apparently the series brings in Paris Lees’ acclaimed memoir to the screen (in all honesty, I have no clue who Paris Lee is, but the fact that it is still an inspiration from someone's actual life, makes it so much more interesting). The series offers a fearless and deeply human portrait of a trans, working-class person rarely seen on British television. It is 8 episodes each of 50-55 minutes. The story follows 15 year old Byron, caught between the homes of his mum, dad and gran, finding ‘freedom’ in Nottingham’s underground club scene. Show starts with us meeting...

Set in 2006 in West Yorkshire, this is your simple boy-meets-boy teenage gay love story touching on nostalgia, teenage angst and indie pop with a gentle hand. We have seen many films in the same genre, so I was hoping for something different, but sadly the film follows a very predictable narrative approach. It's not bad at all, but how I wish there was something more. The film works only thanks to the charm of its two leading actors.  George is 16 year old teenager, navigating the difficult road of social and academic failure in a small town. George, who’s certain of his own talent even though no one else seems to share that belief, dreams of becoming a famous musician. He is not good at studies ether and his father and school teachers are very worried about his future. Enter Max, a handsome student, the son of a mega-famous musical duo, who much to surprise of George, takes interest in George and his music. Their budding friendship both excites and confuses George, leading him to ...

Trust BBC and UK to come up with these heartwarming stories that touch you to the core in the gay genre. This loving and heartbreaking three part (one hour each) series about a gay couple trying to adopt a kid feels like an emotional rollercoaster. One minute you are laughing, the other minute you are enjoying the music and suddenly then you find yourself looking for tissues to wipe your tears. It’s a story about when people collide with each other and try to build a family out of all of their various parts. A beautiful and honest portrayal of queer adoption that takes viewers through the highs and lows of the process.  We meet a Welsh gay couple Andy and Gabe, who have been together for 8 years, meeting a social worker Jackie to start the adoption process. Andy appears easy-going and comfortable whilst Gabe is defensive, with an assurance that suppresses a very dark backstory. Jackie becomes there guid min the whole process. Beyond facing personal doubts and disagreements on what ...

I just finished watching the second season of the semi-autobiographical British sitcom based on comedian Alan Carr's childhood in 1980s Northampton. The first season was funny but it did not have too many laugh out loud moments, but it was a nice heart warming show and so I was anxious about second season. Like its predecessor, this again may not be edgy comic show, but it still brings a smile on your face, on more than one occasion. We continue to see Alan's shenanigans in his conservative hometown where whatever may happen, his spirit remains uncrushed in this warm and witty coming-of-age comedy. We are reintroduced to Alan and other quirky characters. Still not quite the son his father expected, Alan is content to spend his Friday nights watching wrestling on the TV with his mum. Following the sitcom format, we see how Alan is trying to impress his classmates by going to a movie for 15 year plus and how hets the fake id. In another we see how he was thrilled when his detecti...

Write what you know, as the saying goes - so if you don’t know it, do the research. Take cue from this. Saying, this film is a wonderful exploration of a young queer writer, hoping to write his first novel, but his way of research ends up being him actually joining the world of sex work and what does that do to him personally and professionally. This film is a very interesting take on modern day love, sex and ambition. The story is about 25-year-old Max Williamson. He works as a freelancer writer in a London literary magazine. He has also published a couple of short stories and is also working on writing his first novel about male gay sex workers. What his publishers and friends do not know is that Max's written assignments and novel draft -describing a gay escort's encounters with men- are not based on interviews but on his personal experience. At some point Max has becomes Sebastian in the online escort world. We witness this in the first scene when Max (as Sebastian) gets hi...

Based on a novel by the same name, this TV series is a beautiful drama of two gay men in their 70s having hidden their identity all their life and finally coming to terms with it. Barry and Morris have been in love since their youth and emigrated from Antigua to London when they were younger. Now in their 70s, they remain committed lovers and partners in all ways except publicly. I had never heard of this series till the lead actor of this show recently won the BAFTA award for Best actor drama and that made me go and look for the show and boy am I glad or what! Even before I start writing more, I can say that this show is magnificent, beautiful, vibrant and very moving. The show is 8 episodes of 30 minutes each. Our lead character here is Barry, a charming 75-year-old Antiguan descent man and a successful businessman, husband, beloved father and grandfather. But he also has a secret. He has been lovers for over 50 years with his best friend Morris. They have been friends since their bo...

The practice of conversion and aversion therapies marks a very dark chapter in the gay history. Surgical, chemical and electrical experiments being carried out on gay men held in psychiatric institutions with the intention to alter their sexual orientation. One such historical piece is shown in this film, showing some of these traumatic practices and the impact it had on people, setting his film in the Britain of 1920s. At the same time, it's also a stunningly tender portrayal of love, loss, and the complexities of human emotion. The film swings back and forth between timelines to give us a glistening account of queer love and an account of the dubious conversion therapy in those times. The film begins in an asylum for gay men where the nurses work as “dates” to get these men back on track. Owen is lucky to have Dorothy, a good-hearted nurse who is new to both romantic novels and dating. Owen is going through a writers block for his second book and this is when through flashbacks w...

I am so glad that this show was not done after the second season, because as I said in my review, I Was not ready to let go off these characters. I was so happy to see the final season. Yes, this is indeed the final season, but what a finale!! This sucker punch of a show is as heartfelt and as funny as the previous two. From the very beginning, this tale of male bonding and sexual expedition – inspired by the comedian Jack Rooke’s university days – existed in the shadow of grief. And slowly the layers were being peeled about exploration, Grif and mental health and the journey continues with all our beloved characters back in the show.  We are back in the world of best friends Jack and Danny and the other two Corrin and Yemi finishing the friend circle. The first episode starts with Jack's causing Shannon winning a huge sum of money and they all go for a holiday in Greece. With comedy at the fore the episode is definitely funny focussing on evolving relationship of Danny and Corrin ...

With Midas Man, Brian Epstein, the manager of the Beatles, gets a biopic that’s TV-movie basic, with quite a few endearing moments. I am one of those very few people who did not know anything about Brian a or how did Beatles come about. So that way, I really enjoyed this film and getting to know this part of Beatles life and that of Brian. The fact that Brian was gay was probably a well known secret at a later stage, but while he was the manager, he tried his best to keep all that well-hidden. I debated whether I should review the film here, because sure Brian was gay and the film shows us some of his love escapades, but this biopic is not about his sexuality. It's all about how he discovered, and made them the chartbuster that they are know for today. But the fact that he was gay is as critical as anything else, so here we are. Brian was the third generation Jewish family in Liverpool who used to run a very successful furniture store. He also happened to be gay. In early 60s it wa...

Layla is a beautifully observed narrative of love, sex, gender and friendship. The summary of the film doesnt even encapsulate everything that the film is trying to show. It says "When Layla, a struggling Arab drag queen, falls in love for the first time, they lose and find themself in a transformative relationship that tests who they really are." It is a pleasure to have a film that revolves around drag performers; not having them at the periphery of the narrative as dressing, but centering their stories and granting visibility to their interiority. The love journey will be full of ups and downs, sometimes you may or may not agree to what you see, but rest assured that everything is handled with a gentle touch that a subject of this nature deserves. Layla is introduced living in London with their community of queer friends, performing drag and attending parties together. They have amazing rapport with each other. In one such parties, Layla meets Max, A conventional very stra...

I have quite mixed feelings about this film. A movie about the blossoming relationship between Adam and Lucas, whose paths unexpectedly cross in the picturesque French countryside, thanks to Brexit; sounded quite interetsing on paper, plus we do not really get to see many mature gay love stories, but this film has paper thin plot, that could easily have been put in a short form narrative. Plus a lot leaves to be desired in terms of direction, which felt a bot amateurish at a lot of places. More on that later. Tortu, a gay man in his 40s has just lost his job. Things get worse when he runs out of money, loses his home and despite his close friends trying to help him best, he is unable to get back on his feet. This is when he decides to go and stay with his uncle in a remote French village knowing very well that the visa will beveled only for 90 days. The uncle is dealing with his own issues. He had been in love with a straight man for many many years, who recently died and his son Lucas...

Thriller films are supposed to excite you and create the thrill.. Somehow it's only after 25 minutes into the film , I could figure out what exactly is going on. Taking the principal e that thanks to surveillance cameras these days, anyone can be monitored from one place to another and it's easy to catch folks. Not that fifths wasn't there, this film would need to change its story, because even in that case, it would have stayed the same. Adam, an IT teacher at an illustrious public school, is picked up by a charming photographer Jake at a gay bar. After spending the night at Jake’s flat, he leaves, but manages to pick up the wrong mobile phone by mistake. When he returns to give it back, he witnesses a couple of thuggish men carrying something that looks suspiciously like a body in a sack out of the flat. Unfortunately, it seems that they were also after the very same mobile that he now happens to be in his possession, and they want it back. Knowing he’s out of his depth, ...

I thought the first season of Wreck was pretty average, so I wasn't quite keen on the sequel. While looking at the stuff backlog that I have to watch, I chanced upon season 2 and watched it and I have to say that I was so underwhelmed with the season 2. After watching the show, I started wondering how do I qualify of a content is LGBTQ+ enough for me to review here or not. Should it focus on issues and sexual identity (which is what my definition has ben most times), but then there comes shows like this, where we have plenty queer characters but it is not about sexuality. They are just in situations they have to deal with and they happen to be gay. Normally I stay away from such because if not for gay storyline or identity or something, I may not have watched some of these series/films in the first place.  Taking it away from the cruise ship, we see Jamie and Vivian now living together alongside Lauren and working to bring their enemies down whatever the cost. The trio are having l...

I had not heard of this film at all and was actually very pleasantly surprised with this touching mechanic meets India-British drag queen romantic drama. The sis such an involved and heartfelt queer love stories, something that we all have been waiting to see for a while now. No exaggeration, no over the top drama, yet true tragic love while the protagonists confront their notion of love, sexuality, family, religion, friendship and more. Luke isa single dad of a 5 year old son. He works as a mechanic in a garage run by his dad. He meets Aysha, a drag queens fact unknown to him at their first meeting and they indulge in a passionate kiss. There are clear sparks but as soon as Luke realizes that Aysha is a man he runs away. Aysha is living a closeted life away from her relies muslim family in the big city. Aysha need sa driver and car to take her around for her shows. She tracks down Luke and he agrees to do the job in hopes to save money for his son. After a few drives, the attraction r...

I am sure, anyone who has seen first two seasons, would not have expected the change of pace and the storyline that is offered to the audience. The plot is a bit heavier than the usual lovey-dovey ones we have watched in first two seasons. It is not to say that the romance is not there, but the plat also focuses on some very meaningful and deep changes to the love story of Nick and Charlie. I also have. To say it that I did miss my favorite Olivia Coleman. I so wish she was there even just for a cameo maybe. All the various couple are doing well in this relationships and we just see how they are all growing. The main focus. This time is on Nick's concerns around Charlie's struggles with eating and the possible disorder that he has. Alongwth help of Charlie's very supportive sister, Nick eventually gets to share etc burden of noticing something odd about Charlie and wanting to be there for him. These are kids and they just dont know what is wrong with Charlie and how they ca...

"Queer Lives Today" is a series of diverse documentaries that offer intimate glimpses into the LGBTQ+ community. The series explores the journeys of individuals navigating various aspects of their identities, from sports to adoption to the pursuit of personal expression, all while highlighting resilience and the challenges they face. Commissioned to create 20-minute documentaries, these were telecast on British TV in 2022. The films narrate the tale of a trans boxer campaigning for the right to fight, Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen gender affirmation surgery journey and the struggles of two gay dads undergoing the adoption process. Always, Asifa As Asifa prepares to finally undergo gender affirmation surgery, the disabled trans activist, who is also Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen, reflects on how her life has - and hasn’t - changed during her transition. With Asifa having featured previously in documentaries on Channel 4 and the director, Shiva Raichandani, havi...

Femme is a complicated movie. It is a tough look at anti-LGBTQ+ violence and what vengeance might look like. However, that’s where things get morally shaky and as audience, you question things that unfold in front of you on whether they are morally correct or not, surprisingly not for abuser's pot but from victim. is a really well-worked-through story with tense developments and reversals; it keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what these two folks would do next. Jules is a popular drag artist, full of enthusiasm and sauciness and has two close friends (one of them is also secretly in love with him. After his performance, he steps out for a smoke and locks eyes with a shifty stranger across the street. Later on the same night, Jules crosses the same man, Preston, at a shop and the two trade insults after Preston mocks Jules. With his buddies cheering him on, Preston follows, beats, and humiliates Jules while one of them records the incident. This is a brutal homophobic at...

It was March 2014 that England and Wales legalized gay marriage and John and Bernardo became one of the first officially married gay couple. So for its 10 year anniversary and many gay weddings later, BBC One celebrated it with this documentary hosted by Tom Allen. He decides to a arrange and become wedding planner for a dream wedding for one couple – Adam Johnson and Dan Mackey of Brighton – and interviewing those who helped make it happen; while also recounting the history of how things were in the past and how did we come about to be where we are today. Adam and Dan have been a couple for ten years – the same time as equal marriage has been legal. Tom Allen opens his contacts book and magics up some celebrity help for wedding singer, celebrity baker from Bake-Off for a ten-tier cake.A personal stylist designs the outfits and a celebrated choreographer also helps the couple prepare for their first dance. Some beautiful flowers and bouquets are designed by florists. In between all thi...