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 documentary takes us through many conversations and chats and interviews where these elderly gay folks share their experiences growing up at a time when many homosexuals considered homosexuality shameful, of their efforts to make peace with their deepest inclinations and their responses to changing times. It is a diverse sample that includes a male couple who have been together for 54 years, a black great-grandmother, a former Catholic monk who has become a rancher, a German Jewish refugee from Hitler. Every single one of these people found their way out of lies and loneliness by different means. One of the women would just call bar after bar asking if there was any old lesbian she could talk to. Maria, the great-grandmother, was helped by a psychiatrist. Others drew courage from the example of younger homosexuals who went into the streets to demonstrate for what they felt were their rights. Now, having come out, they seem ready to celebrate. At a party in New York thrown by a group called Senior Action in a Gay Environment, they all come together not believing that such thing could ever happen.
One has to remember that this documentary came back in 1985, which mean the time these individuals were dealing with their feelings and struggles belongs to a time that most of us were not even born. However hard we try, we can only imagine what life must have been like. And interestingly, even in today's time, I wonder what kind of support is out there for older LGBTQ community members. It is so endearing to see this older couple remembering the days they met each other, young and handsome. But its the love and sparkle in their eyes, even 54 years later, very much in love which is so obvious and evident. I really enjoyed watching this film , just under an hour; just to hear and see and remind ourselves thats lets just not take things for granted just because ewe have it easier. (6/10)
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