A night of partying turns awfully ugly when six gay friends turn against each other after the arrival of an uninvited guest in Joe Mantello's "The Boys in the Band."
It's Harold's birthday! Host and master of ceremonies, Michael, prepared an intimate celebration with their few close gay friends.
Donald is the first to appear since he got nothing better to do anyway. The flamboyant Emory, with lovers Larry and Hank, soon arrived, and African-American Bernard joined them shortly. Emory's birthday gift to Harold was a little early than anticipated. Harold is a man of taste, and there is nothing sexier than a blonde midnight cowboy as a present. But. of course, Harold is late as expected. A characteristic they hate but tolerated.
They start the party without Harold, anyway. They dance, sing, and drink alcohol. It wasn't long until they're interrupted by an uninvited guest -- Alan.
Alan is Michael's roommate from college. He was supposed to meet his buddy that day, but Michael thought that they agreed to move it on another day instead. This spells trouble for Michael as Alan didn't know about his sexuality. The worst part is, Alan is straight. And he has a short temperament to gays.
"The Boys in the Band" parade an all openly-gay cast that includes Jim Parsons as Michael, Zachary Quinto as Harold, Matt Bomer as Donald, Andrew Rannells as Larry, Charlie Carver as Cowboy, Robin de Jesús as Emory, Brian Hutchison as Alan, Michael Benjamin Washington as Bernard, and Tuc Watkins as Hank.
Set in 1968, New York, it's a bad year to kick-off a gay party as there is unwanted hate towards the community around that century. "The Boys in the Band" succeed in illustrating that hate.
However, that representation of hate such as homophobia is not the movie's greatest strength. Its strength is in articulating a different kind of hate that gay people go through, a deep and personal self-hate.
As the story moves along, Michael and the gang see themselves turning against each other. After throwing brutally honest comments to one another, their walls slowly withered. Insantly revealing their scars and insecurities, hidden deep within their layers of emotions. Like a well-written drama, tragic stories of lost love, regrets, acceptance, and identity unfold.
"The Boys in the Band" premiered on Netflix as a tribute to the broadway's legacy. Even though it's not popularly known in the Philippines, this movie gives the viewers an understanding of a marginalized community.
Montello's film, though, has its weakness. For a play adapted to film, it comes off as very cinematic. The staginess feels firm, forced, and scripted. It inadvertently sucks the genuinity and confidence of its story.
In summary, "The Boys in the Band" deserves attention as it is a commentary about a community that ought to be understood, especially in a time of oppression and prejudice. It's a good one-time watch and a compelling narrative about friendship and intolerance. Go and watch it.
3.5/5
