1985 (2018) Reviews

• It wasn't easy to be gay in Forth Worth in 1985

  Red-1252018-10-13

  1985 (2018) was written and directed by Yen Tan. It stars Cory Michael Smith as Adrian, a young gay man who is out of the closet in NYC, but still in the closet in Fort Worth. Adrian is handsome and athletic. He doesn't look or act like the stereotyped version of a gay man. His parents are working class evangelicals. All they want is for Adrian to marry Carly, the girl friend he left behind. (Jamie Chung, a Korean-American portrays Carly. It's interesting that no one objects to Adrian marrying an Asian-American woman.) Virginia Madsen plays Eileen, Adrian's loving mother. Michael Chiklis portray's Adrian's father Dale, who fulfills the stereotyped image of a tough, blue-collar right-wing guy. This movie could have been a simple coming-out story, but it isn't. There are complexities within each character, and there are unexpected moments of love and concern. We saw this film at The Little Theatre, as part of ImageOut, the excellent Rochester LGBT Film Festival. It will work well on the small screen. 1985 carries a weak IMDb rating of 6.8. I think it's better than that. P.S. In a brilliant piece of programming, ImageOut showed the movie "Buddies" on the same day as it showed 1985. Buddies was produced in 1985. It was the first movie that openly referred to the HIV/AIDS crisis. The year 1985 was a really bad year to be gay.

• Heart breaking

  rse2019-01-08

  If you lived through it (like I did) the film will wrench your heart. I thought black-and-white was a good idea because it certainly was a black era in the US.

• A personal story in a pivotal year in the AIDS crisis

  chong_an2018-05-26

  3 years earlier, as soon as he could, Adrian left his conservative home in Fort Worth, seeking his fortune (and himself) in New York City. Now he has returned for Christmas, to a father who is a Vietnam vet, a mother who is a closet liberal, and younger brother Andrew who has disappointed their father by dropping out of football to join the drama club. Adrian is trying to find an opening to tell his family his secrets - that he is gay, and he is dying. He already has seen his lover and friends die, and he himself is showing signs of KS. It is easier to tell a childhood female friend, and to record a cassette tape with a hopeful message for Andrew on his gift - a Walkman with a recording function. The story has parallels with It's Only the End of the World, but in this case the disease is more explicit. Also, while the parents may not approve, they may still be loving, and individually voice some degree of support. I saw this at the Inside Out film festival, and got 2 takeaways from the Q+A. Shooting in black-and-white reduces background distractions and focuses on the characters' faces. Also, at an earlier screening, the director came face-to-face with a family where reality fit the fiction - a mother with 2 gay sons, the older one dead of AIDS, the younger married to another man.

• Beautifully written silent and strong !

  yupinghojack2019-01-15

  Don't read any plot before you watch the film , let you simply walk into his life , fell for him and follow the flows ! And you will be moved and touched by the 1985 !

• 1985 - Heartbreaking

  alemagico2018-10-31

  I remember watching the short film a few month's back. It was wonderful and looking how Adrian was hiding his sickness coz he didn't wanted to harm his family with it in his own way was strong to look at. In the movie (for me it feels like the next ARC of the story) he reunites again with his family after 3 years without visiting them. Lot of secrets will break loose making Lester decide if it's time to open up to his parents and little brother Andrew or stay shut. The acting is phenomenal. Cory Michael Smith is a bright light on this film. He has talent and charisma. He makes "Adrian Lester" feels SO real is surreal. Jamie as the ex-girlfriend is another surprise. It's mix feelings when you talk of this character. So complicated yet so refreshing. Is a must watch. Michael and Virginia as the parents are marvelous! They bring a unique performance making you wonder why till this day parents like this exist. The ones who support you even if it's hard in their heads to understand what you want for yourself and life in general. Aidan as Andrew is also a gift to watch. This kid has a bright future. Awesome job! Music Score: they need to sell a soundtrack or make a way we can keep appreciating this masterpiece. It gives you the chills and make every scene make you feel powerless. You will even CRY! More people should see this gem of a movie. It's out of clichés, feels 100% new and the story itself it's stunning. I totally recommend it.