Jason Shaw Harvey Fierstein started performing as a drag artist in Manhattan clubs from the age of 15; even before that age he knew he was just a bit different. He became widely known on the New York club circuit and was more often than not to be found playing drag roles in off off Broadway shows. Following a bad break-up Harvey set about writing a play detailing the difficult and painful experience, this became the play 'The International Stud' and was presented in New York during 1976. The play introduced the character of Arnold Beckoff to the world, writing a further two semi-autobiographical plays about Arnold's life. Eventually Harvey conjoined and amalgamated these three plays into just one, 'Torch Song Trilogy' which, had its stage debut off off Broadway in 1981, where it ran for almost 1230 performances.Torch Song Trilogy was adapted from stage for cinema and came out in 1998, directed by Paul Bogart and not surprisingly starring Harvey as Arnold Beckoff. Also included in the cast were Brian Kerwin, sexy stunner Matthew Broderick, screen legend Anne Bancroft and infamous American female impersonator Charles Pierce. The play version ran for over four hours, something not possible in film and thus many cuts, exclusions and edits had to be employed to bring it down to a studio demanded running time of two hours. Without wishing to ignore the onset of AIDS whilst also not wishing to alter the entire fabric of the story the time line of the movie was shifted back several years, started in 1971. It is a deeply affecting film, emotional and funny to the extreme and yet it works marvellously well, which I am sure is thanks mainly to the authentic way Harvey tells it as Arnold. There are such wonderful moments, high drama, deep sadness and almost unbridled joy, that watching Torch Song Trilogy could be considered of riding on a roller coaster of emotions. However, that should be seen as and is indeed a good thing; it allows you scope to feel things that perhaps you had not even noticed in yourself, or others. It gives you the power to see the good and bad in the characters of others, in all our Technicolor differences.Read more and find out where this film made it in the Top 50 Most Influential Gay Movies of All Time book, search on Amazon for Top 50 Most Influential Gay Movies of All Time, or visit - http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B007FU7HPO 

Michael Neumann Award winning writer actor Harvey Fierstein portrays a shy and loveless cabaret artist who comes to terms with his bisexual lover, with the man of his dreams, and finally (in a heartbreaking confrontation sure to leave a lump in even the most stoic of throats) with his homophobic, harpy mother. The strengths of the film are those of any adapted stage play, but this isn't just another theater piece arbitrarily transferred to the screen. The original three acts have been married into one sustained narrative, with the cosmetic benefits of skillful editing and camera-work to help smooth the rougher transitions. Of course it's Fierstein himself who holds the film together, showing a wonderful, subtle blend of confidence and insecurity, with eloquent body language and expressive facial tics reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin, and with a voice best described as unique.

MarieGabrielle Everything else I have done for myself"..., Arnold Beckoff (Fierstein) tells his mother. This film is outstanding, and was before its time.What is interesting is the film touches many ranges of emotion, difficulties in marriage, relationships, death, communication (or lack thereof) Anne Bancroft is wonderful as Arnold's mother, who loves him, but doesn't approve of his life, at first.The very moving scene occurs in the cemetery, while Bancroft is mourning her husband of 35 years while Arnold is mourning his significant other (Matthew Broderick) who was killed during a heinous act of violence. The extent to which Bancroft was unaware of her own son's experience upsets her, and she abruptly leaves the cemetery. There are no easy answers. Arnold may be adopting a son, and has fashioned a life for himself. His mother finally realizes this, and leaves his apartment without saying goodbye, realizing she is grateful he has found happiness, and that that is all that really matters. 10/10.

bartboy_60657 i have seen this movie 8 times & love it more, the acting is fabulous. i recommend it 100%. Harvey Fienstein is a great actor and does a fabulous job in all his movies. and Mathew Broderick is so cute, I think he really enjoyed making this movie.i recommend this movie and broke-back mountain. you really need to see both of these movies, because they tell a story, and the story is that this is America.if you want to see good movies contact me because i know what i'm talking about.i hope everyone sees them and does a good comment on them.