IMDb RATING
7.6/10
6.1K
YOUR RATING
The emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic is chronicled in the lives of several gay men living during the 1980s.The emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic is chronicled in the lives of several gay men living during the 1980s.The emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic is chronicled in the lives of several gay men living during the 1980s.
- Nominated for 1 Oscar
- 6 wins & 6 nominations total
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe title refers to the only way that newspapers at the time would allow a gay man's lover to be listed in an obituary.
- GoofsIn the second act, dated April 1982, Howard and Paul are discussing how Howard will play one of the first gay characters in a daytime soap opera. Howard says it's fine for an actor like William Hurt to play a gay character but not him. He is obviously referring to Hurt's role in Kiss of the Spider Woman (1985), for which Hurt won an Academy Award for Best Actor. But that film came out in 1985, three years after the time in which this scene is set.
Featured review
still packs a punch
i bought the DVD and watched it the other night. cried like a baby. i remember the fairly gay crowd i saw it with originally in the movie theater. two scenes are especially going to stay in my mind forever. the ICU scene and the bedroom scene with Bruce Davison telling someone that its okay and let go. i can believe why he was nominated for an Oscar, i am amazed that he didn't win. does anyone remember who did??
The film faithfully depicts an era of gay life that shocked some people and was applauded by others. its frankness was one of its best features. it was not a soap opera but a slice of real life, both joyous and tragic. as thousands still die every year, apparently a lot of people missed the point. it had no apologies and its many relationships: brother and sister, partner and partner, friend and friend are as vital today as then. gay in those days was based on sexual experimentation, it is unfortunate that the results were/are so deadly. i really suggest young people today find this film and pay attention. and if you haven't seen this, rent it/buy it/watch it. you won't soon forget it.
The film faithfully depicts an era of gay life that shocked some people and was applauded by others. its frankness was one of its best features. it was not a soap opera but a slice of real life, both joyous and tragic. as thousands still die every year, apparently a lot of people missed the point. it had no apologies and its many relationships: brother and sister, partner and partner, friend and friend are as vital today as then. gay in those days was based on sexual experimentation, it is unfortunate that the results were/are so deadly. i really suggest young people today find this film and pay attention. and if you haven't seen this, rent it/buy it/watch it. you won't soon forget it.
helpful•363
- benson865
- Jan 13, 2005
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $3,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $4,609,953
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $50,525
- May 13, 1990
- Gross worldwide
- $4,609,953
- Runtime1 hour 36 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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