Making Love (1982) - LightShed 10

Excellent movie.  Excellent gay content.  The acting is markedly dated.  You know, those stage theater expressions, expansive arm gestures, all bother me, but I understand.  So 70s'. 

In the movie, Michael Ontkean is a doctor, married to Kate Jackson for 8 years.  He has been wondering if he is gay.  He cruises a few bars and streets.  Harry Hamlin is a gay author who goes to Michael's office for a physical.  Yay!  They develop an interest in each other.  There is a little kissing and cuddling, but no hand spit sex scenes, as in Brokeback.  Everybody wears tight shorts and pants.  Everybody wants to be honest with themselves.  The movie gives us a great account of the coming out of a closeted married guy.  The plot is simple, but powerful.  Very positive light.

This movie is deemed Hollywood's first major studio attempt at gay romance and I am very very glad that is has gotten a little attention lately, almost 25 years after its original theatrical release.  The movie was released on DVD in February 2006.  Brokeback certainly has a role in that.

Way to start Vintage Beacon (see the new categories on the side bar -- under "Other Junk in the Trunk").  Harry and Michael in bed:

A few mainstream places mention this movie was braver way before Brokeback. And it makes sense.  The movie was released in 1982 and is credited with ending Harry Hamline career.  Michael Douglas, Tom Berenger, Harrison Ford and Richard Gere, all turned down the role it appears.  So, newcomers Michael Ontkean and Harry Hamlin stepped up.  Kudos for them.  It would be awesome to see a remake, though, wouldn't it?  Maybe this is the gay role Brad Pitt has been looking for. 

I thought the theatrical poster looked interesting:

   

AfterElton has a great interview with Barry Sandler, one of the writers for Making Love.

Comments

[runes of magic gold]

for being so brave to put a movie like this out way back then. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[Queer Beacon]

;-)

[Nick]

This movie came out on cable when I was in the tenth grade (around 1984). I cut out and ran home to watch it during the day when my family members wouldn't be home. When Michael Ontkeon and Harry Hamlin kissed, I just about lost it. Seeing two of the most beautiful men I had ever seen rolling around in bed made detention for cutting school worthwhile. I thank the producers and actors for being so brave to put a movie like this out way back then. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

[Queer Beacon]

Ben, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It is comments like yours that keep me blogging. Look for more Vintage Beacon early next week.

[Ben Clark]

I remember when this movie came out during the late 1970's. I was a freshman in high school then and did not have any gay films or stories to give me a point of reference. I felt very alone. I was not able to see the movie then because it never came to my hometown of Jackson, Wyoming. If it had I would have been terrified to see it because of what people might think about me going to it.

When I saw the previews on t.v. I felt a deep and powerful longing to be with another man. I wished that I could just get out of my rural community and be with other guys like me. I am very grateful to the filmmakers of Making Love that hey had the courage and the foresight to make such a groundbreaking film.