Torch Song Trilogy (1988)

Directed by

Paul Bogart

Genre

drama film, comedy drama, LGBTQ-related film

Country

United States

Runtime

1h 59m

Rated

R

Rating

7.3 of 10 from 105 voters

Elsewhere

IMDb

How it feels

Arnold is a Jewish drag queen in New York City looking for love and acceptance. He navigates relationships with his lover Alan, his ex Ed, and his difficult mother Ma Beckoff.

dramedicpoignantintimatewarmconfrontationaltheatricalbittersweetcharacter-driven

What happens

Torch Song Trilogy is a 1988 American comedy drama film adapted by Harvey Fierstein from his play of the same name. The film was directed by Paul Bogart and stars Fierstein as Arnold, Anne Bancroft as Ma Beckoff, Matthew Broderick as Alan, Brian Kerwin as Ed, and Eddie Castrodad as David. Executive Producer Ronald K. Fierstein is Harvey Fierstein's brother. Scott Salmon choreographed the musical sequences in the film. Fierstein created the role of Bertha Venation to highlight the work of female impersonator Charles Pierce. Broderick originally refused the role of Alan because he was recuperating from an automobile accident in Northern Ireland. Tate Donovan was cast, but two days into the rehearsal period Broderick had a change of heart and contacted Fierstein, who fired Donovan. Although the play was over four hours, the film was restricted to a running time of two hours at the insistence of New Line Cinema, necessitating much editing and excisions. The time period the film covers is several years earlier than the time period of the original play. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

Trailer

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