brazing torches
torch song trilogy wse
harvey fierstein s pulitzer prize winning broadway hit was adapted for the screen by fierstein himself . the playwright also repeats his stage role of female impersonator arnold beckoff aka nightclub entertainer virginia hamm . the three part plotline whittled down to accommodate the films 117 minute running time concerns arnolds seriocomic efforts to find a lasting relationship . we first meet arnold in 1971 when his heart is broken by his bisexual lover brian kerwin . next we find arnold in 1973 enjoying short lived happiness with his true love matthew broderick . the final act takes place in 1980 arnold still grieving over brodericks sudden death and struggling to raise the young boy that the couple had adopted has a long anticipated showdown with his uncompromising mother superbly played by anne bancroft . a witty film that is by turns touching and outrageous torch song trilogy works well despite its somewhat soft pedaled approach to the material . hal erickson all movie guide . br br cc none specified . br br cc none specified .