Hollywood -- "playing gay"
Let's face it: generally Hollywood sucks (and not in a good way) when it comes to telling queer stories. Sure, there *are* exceptions, including some that are notable -- "Boys Don't Cry" leaps immediately to mind -- but more often than not the better ones that I am familiar with are indy or foreign films. (Granted, though, I am no expert on queer movies, so feel free to chime in, anyone.)
Of late, however, the efforts of Hollywood in this area have been painful to watch. Oh sure, someone's going to mention "that cowboy story".... but they were sheepherders, not cowboys, it was yet another "dead queer story" -- I am *so* beyond tired of those, even though I
did just mention BDC upthread -- and besides, as usual, Hollywood had two straight boys "playing gay". (I know, I know, but it's an ongoing complaint of mine.) But despite being probably one of
the gayest places on the planet, and notwithstanding Doogie Howser and T.R. Knight on the small screen, Big Screen Hollywood continues to have the closet door nailed firmly shut (with wardrobes and make-up tables stacked against it).
Michael Jensen brings us word of the latest offering, with straight actors "playing gay",
Memoirs of Hadrian...
We've pretty well documented Hollywood's ignoble history when it comes to doing historical films that include GLBT subject matter. Hollywood especially sucks at historical accuracy when it comes to the ancient world, having already given us Ben Hur, Spartacus, Troy, and Alexander with an Irish accent and blond highlights. It looks like Hollywood is going to take yet another swing at the subject matter by turning the reportedly gay-friendly and well-written novel Memoirs of Hadrian into a film.
MOH tells the story of Roman Emperor Hadrian who was known for his military prowess, as well as his love of art, philosophy, and culture. Oh, and his passion for a young feller named Antinous. (Little known fact: J. Edgar Hoover called lover Clyde Tolson, ³my little Antinous² and loved dressing up in togas before being conquered by the ³barbarians². At least that's what the National Enquirer says.)
MOH was written by French writer Marguerite Yourcenar and published in France in 1951 where it was an immediate critical and commercial success. Strangely, the book wasn't a huge hit here. Hmmm....
So how will Hollywood handle this gay storyline? On the plus side, the director is John Boorman who directed such movies as The Emerald Forest, Excalibur, Hope and Glory, and Beyond Rangoon. While I haven't loved everything Boorman has done, he's not the sort of director aiming for the commercial bullseye and willing to pander to the lowest common (homophobic) denominator to succeed.
The film is still in production, but Charlie Hunnam is already attached to play Antinous and Antonio Banderas is in talks to play Hadrian. You might know Charlie as Bosie in Cold Mountain or more recently as Patric in Children of Men. I haven't heard much one way or the other about Charlie as Antinous, but there is already a fair bit of grumbling about Banderas as Hadrian. The complaints have primarily been that a) Banderas doesn't look Roman and b) can't act. All I'll say at this point is that at least Banderas has played gay numerous times (Philadelphia, Law of Desire) and would likely be more than willing to portray a man in love with a man as opposed to, oh, say, a man who once shook hands with another man, but really, really wants to snog whatever poor starlet gets cast opposite him as the chambermaid or the Roman Senator's beautiful, but wild daughter.
I don't know Hunnan's acting well enough to speculate, but Anthony Banderas? Grooooooooooooan!!!!! Listen, if we
must suffer through having straight boys "playing gay" -- and I can't see Hollywood growing up anytime soon -- can we not maybe have hotties who can actually
act?! If
I was casting this film, I would move heaven and earth to get George Clooney for the title role, with Johnny Depp as his romantic interest. They are both good-looking, attractive guys who have big name star power attraction, they are both excellent actors (and I could *totally* see Clooney in the Hadrian role) and while there is no question that Depp could "play gay" very convincingly -- *yum* -- I have little doubts that Clooney could, too. AND, if they did it well enough -- the entire role, as well as the gay part -- it would prolly get them both an Oscar nomination. But no, if they *do* replace Banderas, we'll probably get Freddy Prinz, or something. *sigh*
Anyways, now I've gotta track me down a copy of this book....