The Celluloid Closet
4.1
(508)
Documentary
History
1996
102 min
R
What "That's Entertainment" did for movie musicals, "The Celluloid Closet" does for Hollywood homosexuality, as this exuberant, eye-opening movie serves up a dazzling hundred-year history of the role of gay men and lesbians have had on the silver screen. Lily Tomlin narrates as Oscar-winning moviemaker Rob Epstein ("The Times of Harvey Milk" and "Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt") and Jeffrey Friedman assemble fabulous footage from 120 films showing the changing face of cinema sexuality, from cruel stereotypes to covert love to the activist triumphs of the 1990s. Tom Hanks, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Curtis, Harvey Fierstein and Gore Vidal are just a few of the many actors, writers and commentators who provide funny and insightful anecdotes.
Starring:
Documentary
Lgbtq+
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Community ReviewsSee all
"A good glimpse into the queer history of mainstream film. Some of the language used is dated, which is to be expected, but my jaw definitely dropped when one of the interviewees dropped the N word to make a point. Overwhelmingly white films examined. Would love to see an updated version that is more inclusive, not only of queer people of color but of transgender people as well. This doc largely focuses on gay men and lesbians. "
Shannon Carroll
