Coming out of the same studio that gave us RuPaul's Drag Race, and stacked with a whole crew of former contestants, Stop! That! Train! plays like RuPaul basically taking a bow for the entire franchise she's built. It's not really a gay film in the traditional sense, but with so many drag stars from Ru's shows popping up alongside a few cameos from well known out gay actors, I figured it earns a spot on this blog anyway. The whole thing is completely over the top, packed with GenZ slang, loud flashy visuals, and humor that's constantly winking at you knowing how ridiculous it is. Going in you'd assume it's meant to be a laugh riot, and a lot of critics online seem to be eating it up, but I just couldn't get into it at all. I've never really been someone who vibes with campy silly stuff like this, so honestly my reaction doesn't surprise me one bit. The setup follows Tess and DeeDee, two low level stewardesses who sneak onto the fancy Glamazonian E...
The film follows a New York City gay man in a monogamous relationship becoming a "buddy" or a volunteer friend to another gay man dying of AIDS and the friendship that develops. Robert is the AIDS patient and one day he gets a visit from David, a complete stranger, who has volunteered at gay center to be Robert's buddy. The visits in the beginning are formal and David in his daily logs even mentions that he is not a fan of Robert but things start changing slowly. David and Robert exchange confidences about their sexual histories, discuss their thoughts about the gay liberation movement and share their most private feelings. They look at old movies of Robert in happier days, and they talk about Robert's having been abandoned by family and friends. We witness how different the lives of both men have been from each other. As expected, the film ends with Robert's death but not before making David and others realize on how will the research for a cure to AIDS will happen. It ends with a cry for federally financed research for AIDS cure and wider public awareness of the problem.
The film is very slow, completely relying on just the acting abilities of the two men. You never really see the other actors, although you do hear them. Despite that, this film is still quite powerful and depressing. It was very interesting to see how the whole scenario affects David. I try to put myself in his shoes and can't even imagine, what it would have been like. Needless to say that for someone like Robert, who is dealing with death fast approaching him, the situation is much worse. This film forces you to questions your own prejudices, sees how others live and how their values and beliefs may not be the same as yours, but are just as valid. The film is about humanity, human emotions. This isn't a story about a cause or an idea, it's a depiction of a beautiful evolving friendship between 2 completely different yet similar individuals. The faults to be found with this film are probably all in the technical production value, it was shot in the early 80's and the sound is a little hard to grasp at times. But overall, the film is a must watch.
Watch this film. If for nothing, then just to educate the generation that didn't have to deal with AIDS at all. As I read somewhere online, it is one of those important gay films from 80's that is a gem but you have probably never heard about it or seen it. Just be patient. (8/10)
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