THE BOYS IN THE BAND

US, 1970, 120 minutes, Colour.
Kenneth Nelson, Leonard Frey, Frederick Combs, Cliff Gorman, Reuben Greene, Laurence Luckinbill.
Directed by William, Friedkin.

Loneliness can lead to despair. Anything which helps us to understand a lonely person has great human value. It is a value of this film. We begin with 'camp' farce and the frustration and embarrassment of a homosexual in modern society. But before the film has ended we have shared an experience of loneliness, jealousy and mistrust in the tampering with and hurting of personal pride. Mart Crowley's noted play is transferred to the screen with its intense
characterisations and its clever, funny and cutting dialogue often reminiscent of the cruel party games of Virginia Woolf. An adult film worth appreciating and reflecting upon.

1. An interesting film, its impact, portrait of human beings, society, homosexuality? Its reputation as a play in the '60s? A film of 1970? Now? Notoriety of the past, acceptance of the present? Its reflecting a period of attitudes towards homosexuals and homosexuality?

2. Where did the screenplay's sympathies lie? How much empathy for each of the characters did the screenplay suggest? For appreciation of homosexuals as human beings, in their interaction, problems, manner? The response of the homosexual audience? For the average audience?

3. The presentation of homosexuals as persons, as ordinary persons, with problems? Problems from themselves, imposed by society, society attitudes? The issues of homosexuality itself? As illustrated in personal problem? The importance of the question of self acceptance?

4. The film was a filmed play. How well adapted from stage to screen? The use of the confined area of Michael's apartment? Its being opened out to the shop sequence, the patio, the sequence with the rain, the streets?

5. The quality of the dialogue, the strength of the writing for the play, its transition to the screen? Serious, humorous? Satirical? The parody of straight films? Campy style? Camp jokes? The quality of the wit? How incisive the dialogue? A variation on Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, etc.?

6. The importance of the psychological games, the interactions? The effect on each of the characters through the situation of the part, the focus on Michael, the focus, on Harold and his presence? The truth game and the amount of attention given to this, the effect on each and the resolution of the film?

7. How well was the situation given ? Michael's apartment, personality, problems, Donald and the preparations? The focus on Harold for his birthday? Preparations for the party, the arrival of the various friends and the introduction to them? Enjoyment, the transition to problems, the truth game and pain? Allan as a catalyst for the characters, the issues?

8. The introduction to the various characters and their personal styles as setting a tone for the film?

9. The portrait of Michael - as host, his home, a pleasant person, self laceration, relationship with Donald? Friendship. intimacy, love? His attitude towards religion and his Catholic background? Sense of guilt? His participation in the camp atmosphere? His capacity for 'bitching'? Talk, drinking, moving more towards self-hate? Problems about his clothes etc.? His conduct throughout the party? How did he change from the beginning of the film? The importance of his response to Allan's phone call, his embarrassment at Allan's arrival, his prodding of Allan? His causing the misery with the playing of the game? The effect on him especially Harold's final attack? His going to Mass? The attention to detail of his way of life? His present? How much insight into this kind of character?

10. The contrast with Allan? The straight man amongst the homosexuals? His past, relationship with Michael? Strengths and weaknesses of his character? His feelings of despair? His relating to the group of friends, his realisation of the truth? His being confronted with his potential for homosexual feelings, relationships? His expression of disgust? His operating and speaking outside the norms of this particular group? The build up to the truth game, his phone call and its being to his wife? The points in the game? His going back to his wife? His allowing Michael to take over?

11. Emery and the conventional picture of the campy homosexual? Seeing him at the shop, the street, his being the life of the party, dancing, dress, jokes, incisive with? The importance of his presentation of his story, the pathos of his background, the pathos of his phone call and his quietening down? Sympathy for the more flamboyant homosexual type?

12. The contrast with Donald and his ordinary presence, his friendship with Michael, helping with the party, his presence throughout the party, the flirting with Larry?

13. Hank and the background of his marriage.. his leaving his wife, the pipe smoking intellectual and professional man, his liaison with Larry? His presence at the party and fitting in with the group? His phone call and using the answering service, his declaration of love for Larry, their reconciliation?

14. The character of Bernard, negro background, his participation in the party, friendship with the group, dancing and enjoyment, his phone call and the pain of the emotional expression?

15. Larry and his presence, the roving eye, the more callow character, flirting with Donald, reconciliation with Larry?

16. The cowboy who came as the gift. his song, his lack of intelligence, his not knowing what was going on? The presentation of the 'Midnight Cowboy?

17. The dramatic waiting for Harold, his appearance, his arch bitchiness? His laugh and manner? The bond of friendship with the group? His attitude towards the cowboy? His participation in the party, his reserve, his criticism, cynicism? His participation in the truth game? His speaking the truth directly and with acid tones? His attitude towards Michael? His humiliation of him?

18. The light touch with the humour of the party., the skylarking and the jokes, the tensions within this?

19. The device of having the party in order to indicate the range of behaviour especially with the dance, the jokes, the game?

20. Insight into society, its acceptance of people who are not of the norm? Attitudes, difficulties, prejudices? The focus on homosexuality as an issue? Homosexual persons?