RENT is confirmed to be selectively homophobic

[art2]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:21am

Well, folks, it looks as if alot of you are going to be eating humble pie in relation to your criticism of me during the build-up to RENT. Here is a direct quote from Tray Butler's RENT review in the Washington Blade:

"""Larson's original plot remains mostly intact, complete with its two same-sex romances. In this telling, the relationship between Joanne (newcomer Tracie Thoms) and Maureen (Idina Menzel) truly sizzles, particularly in their cleverly bitchy duet, Take Me or Leave Me.

By comparison, the gay male storyline fizzles. Wilson Jermaine Heredia gives drag queen Angel a tangible humanity, and his costumes steal most every scene. But Angel's romance with Collins never takes flight. On the surface, it looks like a relationship, and the two even kiss, but compared to the girls, these guys come across as positively chaste.

It's a classic straight man's rendition of queer sexuality: Sure, we let the lesbians go at it, but if you're gonna have two dudes smooch, one of them better be wearing a dress."""


So, there you have it, folks - I've been vindicated.

Updated On: 11/19/05 at 02:21 AM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:23am

Gay people....ewwwwwww...grooooosssss

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:26am

Gay people...Where !

[WhatDoINeedWithLove?]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:31am

I sincerely disagree. It's a different relationship than Maureen and Joanne. Its a sweeter relationship and its presented in an honest way and It's not gay for the sake of being controversial People need to get over this!

[art2]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:40am

If the critics see it my way, then I think I'm justified in what I'm saying. I saw the signs coming in the way RENT was being promoted in the trailers and poster. The gay male relationship/affection was minimized at nearly every step. Alot of you are going to be eating humble pie in the way you criticized me in my earlier posts.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:42am

Aw, art2 is so cute! Mom, can I keep him?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:44am

gay people eating humble pie...thats just sick...

[respeck]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:49am

If we are going to get anything out of this post, please let it be that ALOT is not one word! It's two words that make up one phrase, a lot.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:52am

How much you wanna bet art2 writes for the Washington Blade?

Updated On: 11/19/05 at 02:52 AM

[art2]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:54am

orangeskittles,

LOL! I've also been accused of being sundry other posters who have happened to agree with my viewpoint. Gee, I must have quite a few doppelgangers out there.

As I said, I've been vindicated.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:56am

You haven't been vindicated, you've just found a new friend.

[Marquise]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 2:59am

LOSER.


Updated On: 11/19/05 at 02:59 AM

[meagan9848]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:03am

Dear arty,

shut the "fvck" up.

kthnksbye.

[art2]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:05am

Marquise, darls, it must concern you that I've been vindicated by an independent observer. Face it, I'm probably the only one on this board who saw it coming.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:10am

Have you even seen RENT on stage?

[WickedRentLuv]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:10am

He hasn't.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:12am

You're kidding me right?

Arty, don't go, you'll just bitch about that too.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:14am

Then he's vindicated about nothing. He has no idea what he's talking about and that the characters in the movie are portrayed exactly as they are on stage.

Updated On: 11/19/05 at 03:14 AM

[meagan9848]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:16am

clearly not gay enough...

[art2]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:18am

The movie is not a replica of the stage production. Columbus has played up the relationship between the women by introducing a gay marriage theme. I don't see you remarking on that.

Face it, I've been vindicated. You don't have to be Einstein to suspect that Chris Columbus and Sony were working overtime to specifically reduce the gay male content/eroticism/affection.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:21am

Really? If anything, I felt the relationship between Angel and Collins got the most coverage in the movie. In fact, when I saw it...people were generally brought to tears during the "I'll Cover You" reprise.

And, no art, you haven't been vindicated. You know NOTHING about the stage version. Sorry. Next time do your research.

[WickedRentLuv]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:21am

Then by your logic Columbus is heterophobic too, since as far as I've heard there is no extra theme between Roger and Mimi, the heterosexual couple, either.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:22am

I really just want to slap you across the face.

All of your posts annoy me. Every. Single. One.

Have you seen the movie yet? Screw the movie- see the show. If you haven't seen the show, what the hell are you comparing the movie to? HOW DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION?

You're a freaking idiot.

Updated On: 11/19/05 at 03:22 AM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:23am

"Which was originally directed (off-bway) by the composer/lyricist/author...who is gay."

What? Jonathan Larson wasn't gay.

Marquise, the Washington Blade is a gay newspaper in DC. As I said in another thread, their review didn't surprise me, because the paper is full of people in the exact same mindset as art2- nothing would be good enough for them.

[meagan9848]

Posted: 11/19/05 at 3:25am

This is the first time I've found it difficult not to curse.

Just thought I'd share.