Torch Song Trilogy (1988)

65% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
89% of users liked it
(5,493 ratings)

Harvey Fierstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway hit was adapted for the screen by Fierstein himself. The playwright also repeats his stage role of female impersonator Arnold Beckoff, aka nightclub entertainer "Virginia Hamm." The three-part plotline, whittled down to accommodate the film's… More Harvey Fierstein's Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway hit was adapted for the screen by Fierstein himself. The playwright also repeats his stage role of female impersonator Arnold Beckoff, aka nightclub entertainer "Virginia Hamm." The three-part plotline, whittled down to accommodate the film's 117-minute running time, concerns Arnold's seriocomic efforts to find a lasting relationship. We first meet Arnold in 1971, when his heart is broken by his bisexual lover, Ed (Brian Kerwin). Next we find Arnold in 1973, enjoying short-lived happiness with his true love, Alan (Matthew Broderick). The final act takes place in 1980: Arnold, still grieving over Alan's sudden death and struggling to raise the young boy that the couple had adopted, has a long-anticipated showdown with his uncompromising mother, superbly played by Anne Bancroft. A witty film that is by turns touching and outrageous, Torch Song Trilogy works well despite its somewhat soft-pedaled approach to the material. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 6 min.
Directed By: Paul Bogart
Written By: Harvey Fierstein
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Dec 14, 1988 Limited
On DVD: May 4, 2004
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Bracing in its frank depiction of gay sex life, both promiscuous and committed.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Greatly shortened from Mr. Fierstein's long-running, Tony Award-winning play, the film version emphasizes the lovable at every turn, but the surprise is that it does this entertainingly and well.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
The themes are universal, and Arnold is an Everyperson who wants to be loved not for what others want him to be, but for what he really is -- "a person, a valuable person."
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
I have not seen anyone quite like Fierstein in the movies, and the fact that he is a specific individual gives this material a charm and weight it might have lacked if an interchangeable actor had played the role.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
Simply viewed as a movie about people, Torch Song Trilogy has the kind of wit, grace, and intense feeling that Woody Allen tried for unsuccessfully in Interiors, September, and Another Woman...
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Matthew Broderick shows his versatility and might as an actor here
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
A straightforward, very funny love story which glows with fulfilment and promise.
Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
Torch Song Trilogy is a fondly remembered classic from queer cinema and it should have strong enough characters to break out into mainstream viewing as well.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A rousing screen version of the 1983 Tony Award-winning play.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Effective, moving film version of Fierstein's play
Dustin Putman, DustinPutman.com
An earnest, emotionally accurate, but seriously flawed drama.

Read all 11 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Everyone deserves to be loved, right? Even if they're gay? Even from they're mother? This work examines just those questions, the humanity, say, beyond the stereotype and more, the humanity within the stereotype.
Tom E

This is a great gay 101 movie -- very sad about Matthew -- Anne Bancroft was brilliant as usual --
Lafe F

A classic gay movie. Harvey Fierstein and Matthew Broderick are supreme in this! I could've done without the tragic events.
jay n

wonderfully acted
Sunil J

A solid and well-written gay dramedy. Anne Bancroft s wonderful.

Cast

            Anne Bancroft as Ma

            Matthew Broderick as Alan

            Harvey Fierstein as Arnold Beckoff

            Brian Kerwin as Ed

            Karen Young as Laurel

            Eddie Castrodad as David

            Chuck Pierce as Bertha Venation

            Ken Page as Murray

            Axel Vera as Marina Del Rey

            Tracy Bogart as Secretary at School

            Michael Bond as Bar Patron

            Alva Chinn as Photographer

            Lorry Goldman as Phil Beckoff

            Paul Joynt as Heckler in Club

            Peter Mackenzie as Young Man

            Robert Neary as Chorus boy

            Peter Nevargic as Young Man

            John Norman as Basher

            John Beckman as 1st Cab Driver

            John Branagan as Teacher

            Bob Minor as Gregory

            Michael Warga as Bartender

            Catherine Blue as Teacher

            Mitch David Carter as Heckler in Club

            Kim Clark as Female Bar Patron

            Byron Deen as Roz

            Naill Gartlan as Boy in Fight

            Gregory Gilbert as Hustler

            Geoffrey Harding as Man with Lighter

            Ted Hook as Old Man

            Harriet C. Leider as Maitre d'

            Nick Montgomery as Chorus Boy

            Stephanie Penn as Female Bar Patron

            Benji Schulman as Young Arnold

            Phil Sky as Man in Back Room

            Edgar Small as Arnold's father

            Rabbi Elliott T. Spar as Rabbi

            Mark Zeisler as Basher

            Frits de Knegt as 2nd Cab Driver
See full cast