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Movies / On DVD / The Celluloid Closet
The Celluloid Closet

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The Celluloid Closet (1996)

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96 %
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Reviews Counted:23

Fresh:22

Rotten:1

Average Rating:7.8/10

Runtime: 1 hr 41 mins

Genre: Education/General Interest

Synopsis: Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's documentary chronicles the way movies have portrayed homosexuals for the past 100 years and how these images, both positive and negative, have helped shape... Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman's documentary chronicles the way movies have portrayed homosexuals for the past 100 years and how these images, both positive and negative, have helped shape America's attitudes toward gays. Among the topics examined via interviews and film clips are the various gay stereotypes that recur onscreen, gay subtexts in such macho films as SPARTACUS and BEN-HUR, and how negative images of homosexuality created emotional conflict within the gay moviegoer. But the film also shows how the times have greatly changed, bringing more--and more realistic--gay characters to the silver screen. Interviewees include Susan Sarandon, Tony Curtis, Shirley MacLaine and Tom Hanks, among others. The film is based on the 1981 book by Vito Russo. [More]

Starring: Tony Curtis, Susan Sarandon, Tom Hanks, Shirley MacLaine

Starring: Tony Curtis, Susan Sarandon, Tom Hanks, Shirley MacLaine

Director: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

Director: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman

[See More Credits]

Reviews for The Celluloid Closet

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

How ironic that a movie about the dangers of the closet would so confine one's freedom of interpretation.

Full Review Source: City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul | comment Comment
08/20/09
Rob Nelson
Rob Nelson
City Pages, Minneapolis/St. Paul
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
03/26/09
David Rooney
David Rooney
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Instead of an angry diatribe against Hollywood, the film shrewdly opts for a wity, often campy commentary by gay figures (Gore Vidal), directors (Wyler) and actors (Tom Hanks) who shed light on the context in which these films were made and viewed.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
05/31/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com

It's engrossing, brings a healthy sense of humor to the discussion, and enlightening without being bludgeoning.

Full Review Source: DVDJournal.com | comment Comment
04/06/06
Mark Bourne
Mark Bourne
DVDJournal.com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Reeling Reviews | comment Comment
04/09/05
Robin Clifford
Robin Clifford
Reeling Reviews

No review available.

comment Comment
04/01/05
Brian Juergens
Brian Juergens
Freeze Dried Movies

An engaging documentary touching on Hollywood's on screen treatment of homosexuality.

Full Review Source: Ozus' World Movie Reviews | comment Comment
02/04/05
Dennis Schwartz
Dennis Schwartz
Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Rock Hudson was gay? Who knew?

comment Comment
01/01/05
Michael A. Smith
Michael A. Smith
Nolan's Pop Culture Review

No review available.

comment Comment
01/21/04
Mike McGranaghan
Mike McGranaghan
Aisle Seat

No review available.

comment Comment
11/17/03
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

Entertaining but ultimately shallow.

comment Comment
08/21/03
Ken Hanke
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

No review available.

comment Comment
06/19/03
Nell Minow
Nell Minow
Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
05/20/03
Janet Maslin
Janet Maslin
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Susan Tavernetti
Susan Tavernetti
Palo Alto Weekly

No review available.

comment Comment
09/04/02
Jeffrey Westhoff
Jeffrey Westhoff
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)

No review available.

comment Comment
07/30/02
Philip Martin
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Like a scrapbook of movie memorabilia from some of the greatest films ever made, it’s a welcome look back at the ever-changing times of the world around us.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
04/06/02
Patrick Byrne
Patrick Byrne
Apollo Guide

this documentary makes it plain that Hollywood has hardly been a leader in social causes,

Full Review Source: Old School Reviews | comment Comment
04/17/01
John A. Nesbit
John A. Nesbit
Old School Reviews

No less than a primer in the power of movies to redefine human nature and behavior.

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
01/01/00
Bruce Kirkland
Bruce Kirkland
Jam! Movies
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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