I really wanted to like 'Tennessee Queer'.(TQ). It's heart was definitely in the right place. The problems with this film are numerous, however. First of all, the writing is abysmal. It's clear that an amateur was in charge. I'm not sure who Mark Jones is, but he's in desperate need of refresher courses at a legitimate writing school. TQ centers around a New Yorker who goes back to his hometown for a visit at a rural place in Tennessee. What he finds there, needless to say, is extreme homophobia. Hello? This is Tennessee! He decides to organize a gay pride March down the Main Street and appeals to the city leaders who of course initially vote no. Then one of them who's seeking higher office decides they should support the rally, so they can identify those citizens, especially high school students, who are gay. The children will immediately be placed into conversion schools to rid them of their 'gayness'. Ridiculous premise for sure, but regrettably, this happens way more than we think it does, even though the writer sugar coats it here. The bad guys are made to look like bumbling fools. Who will prevail? Check it out if you want to waste two hours of your life.
Though it means well, 'Tennessee Queen' does absolutely nothing to elevate the discussion of what the LGBTQ+ community faces in any meaningful way. Bad job all around.
Though it means well, 'Tennessee Queen' does absolutely nothing to elevate the discussion of what the LGBTQ+ community faces in any meaningful way. Bad job all around.