Catching Up with Our Queer Movie Blindspots

We watch a lot of movies, but we haven’t seen everything. This month we’re tackling our personal LGBTQ+ movie blindspots!

The Birdcage

A gay club owner and his drag queen partner have to “go straight” to help their son gain the approval of his fiancée’s family. This immediately made me want to move to Miami (though to be fair Dexter really planted that seed). I love Robin Williams in this role. He’s a loving father and a grounded yet fun patriarch. Hank Azaria as the housewife is a character I never knew I needed! And of course, the belle of the ball: Nathan Lane as Albert. His comedic delivery is impeccable. Gotta shoutout Gene Hackman too for his transformation. The build-up to the meeting of the families is almost better than the meeting itself. It’s hysterical but also with some of the sweetest and most honest moments in between. Can’t believe I was living my life without this one! —Natalie Pohorski

But I’m A Cheerleader

The legendary 1999 movie year strikes again! Kudos to this movie for many things: centering femininity and female sexuality, championing queer identity and pride before it was socially acceptable, lampooning the absurd yet pernicious concept of conversion camps, and casting such a wide array of now-familiar actors—all on a shoestring budget and tight leash from the MPAA. —Chad Comello

The Handmaiden

I can’t remember the last time a movie blindsided me quite like Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden. I was aware of Chan-wook’s reputation but had yet to experience his work for myself (Old Boy, I’m coming for you next). The Handmaiden follows a young woman’s journey from pickpocket, to Handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, to fated lover of said Heiress. Exquisitely layered and complex, it keeps you guessing at every turn and luxuriates in its sensual, noir-soaked romance. Couldn’t recommend it enough, a true masterwork! —Kevin Prchal

---