Anne Bancroft, Brian Kerwin, Eddie Castrodad

Harvey Fierstein had a smash hit on Broadway with the stage version of this story about a drag queen, but whatever the magic there was doesn't show up in this film adaptation. (Fierstein allegedly cou...( read more  read more... )ldn't line up an A-list or even B-list director in 1988 to tackle the gay story line, so he agreed to work with Paul Bogart, a ubiquitous television director but an undistinguished feature filmmaker.) Fierstein's performance is fine, but likely a shadow of his live work, while Anne Bancroft is very strong in the role of his character's mother. Matthew Broderick went against the tide of fear shared by most Hollywood actors at the time about playing gay characters. The times have certainly changed since then. --Tom Keogh

Flixster Users

91% liked it

4,884 ratings

Critics

50% liked it

12 critics

R

Directed by: Paul Bogart

Release Date: December 14, 1988

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DVD Release Date: May 4, 2004

Stats: 315 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (315)


  • March 1, 2008
    This is a great gay 101 movie -- very sad about Matthew -- Anne Bancroft was brilliant as usual --
  • August 17, 2007
    A classic gay movie. Harvey Fierstein and Matthew Broderick are supreme in this! I could've done without the tragic events.
  • November 11, 2009
    What makes this film work so well is how beautifully developed the characters are. You really become involved and care about them. It?s funny, touching, well acted and excellently written.
  • August 16, 2009
    this is one of the funniest and saddest "gay theme" movies I have ever seen. I highly recommend it.
  • March 16, 2009
    Tony Award-winning actor and playwright Harvey Fierstein re-creates his role as the unsinkable Arnold Beckoff in this film adaptation of the smash Broadway play TORCH SONG TRILOGY. A very personal story that is both funny and poignant, TORCH SONG TRILOGY chronicles a New Yorker's...( read more) search for love, respect and tradition in a world that seems not especially made for him. From Arnold's hilarious steps toward domestic bliss with a reluctant school teacher, to his first truly promising love affair with a young fashion model, Arnold's greatest challenge remains his complicated relationship with his mother. But armed with a keenly developed sense of humor and oftentimes piercing wit, Arnold continues to test the commonly accepted terms of endearment--and endurance--in a universally affecting story that confirms that happiness is well worth carrying a torch for.
  • February 3, 2009
    La vida de Arnold Beckoff que jodida historia el amor sea entre quienes sea siempre se tiņe de tragedia
  • January 4, 2009
    I think I have seen this movie over 100 times. We went to the movies in West Hollywood to see it every friday and saturday night. The cast is superb, the story is great and I cry every freaking time.
  • December 21, 2008
    Lovely story line, great music and drag shows, and sa tooo but still a good one.






    A very good gay movie, which has you in laughter one minute, and crying the next..But the songs are just great.
  • September 28, 2008
    After all these years, I cannot believe I have not seen this movie yet! lol
  • September 12, 2008
    Every gay man needs to see this film!!!

Comments


  • GymNetic25
    April 16, 2008
    If you like the genre "Drama" than this film is def for you. With this film did bring tons and tons of it. Course what gay men out there does not have drama happen in his life. Above all I did like this film,but towards the ending it kind of just flipped around and had some things happen per say I didn't quite want it to go there. Though at the very end it was def a touching movie and made you feel like it was a happy ending after all. I loved the whole Drag Queen scenes and you can't forget the guy who was Jackie's love interest from the hit tv show "Roseanne". Matthew Broderick was good in his role yet he could have been stronger. The times have changed where it no longer matters if a A list star would play a gay role. For people who have seen the play I am sure this is a bad representation of it. I still think this is a good gay cinema film to watch and learn from.
    3 stars

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Torch Song Trilogy Trivia


  • Who plays the uptight mother in 'Torch Song Trilogy'?  Answer »
  • Who played Harvey Fierstein's lover in Torch Song Trilogy?  Answer »
  • Name the movie: Next time you tell someone I love you, say it to yourself and see if you believe it!  Answer »
  • Who plays the lead in, "Torch Song Trilogy"?  Answer »

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