Thoughts on "TORCH SONG TRILOGY" the film

The other night I watched the film version of "Torch Song Trilogy" and was wondering what other people on here think of the adaption. I know that New Line Cinema did not want a film longer than two hours and I think that it is great that Harvey Fierstein was able to reprise his role in the film as well as adding the talents of Charles Pierce and Ken Page. Would it have been better if HBO had done the play the way that it was originally produced like "Angels In America" or does this film stand on its own?

Agnes of God IS watered down, but it does have a great Meg Tilly performance (I was so impressed by her Martha when she came out of semi retirement to play it here--where she currently lives--that I went back to check film performances I had missed.)

As for Torchsong... I think it stands out as one of the better mid 80s American gay themed films. But that's not saying much, is it? I've only read the play, but it really seems to be the best thing Fierstein ever did and I am sorry that a cable company didn't decide to be brave and film it back then. The cuts and softening make sense for a mainstream film--but did they work commercially? Anyone know how well it did?

I have a recording of the Broadway show, which has Harvey, but unfortunately another Actress in Estelle's role. Anyway, the film naturally had to be cut down heavily from the stage production, but I still think it was a pretty faithful translation, but not having the same umph that the stage show had. I still love watching the film and listening to Harvey's commentary on it too.