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In celebration of its latest sequels release, we start with brilliant Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001) directed by Sharon Maguire. While not strictly an LGBTQ+ film, the franchise does include various LGBTQ+ characters throughout and are quintessential films for fans of romcoms. It is based on a 1996 novel by Helen Fielding and stars Renée Zellweger (Chicago, Judy) in the title role with Colin Firth (Love Actually, The King’s Speech) and Hugh Grant (Four Weddings & A Funeral) in key supporting roles. As the title suggests, the first film focuses on Bridget as she writes her diary and notes on what she wants in life. That life changes significantly, when two men – fancy barrister Mark Darcy (Firth) and her suave publisher boss Daniel Cleaver (Grant) take an interest in her. But which will she choose?...

 

Hilarious mishaps a plenty ensue on the way to finding out! Despite an American in a very British archetype role, Zellweger knocked it out of the park with both her accent and overall performance, earning a Best Actress Oscar nomination in the process. Paul Clinton [CNN] praised Zellweger, noting she “nails Jones’s London accent while simultaneously delivering a performance bursting with power and brimming with heartfelt emotion”. It was a huge success, generating three sequels – Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (2004), Bridget Jones’s Baby (2016) - and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy release in cinemas today! [Valentine’s Day]. The first three films in the franchise are all available to watch only on e-stream. Click the link below to see a funny moment between Bridget and her closest friends, with a very noughties’ depiction of a gay man:

 

Moving swiftly on, we have the fantasy comedy Being John Malkovich (1999), directed by Spike Jonze (Where the Wild Things Are). Ostensibly it features John Malkovich (Con Air, Johnny English), as well as Cameron Diaz (Shrek, The Mask), John Cusack (Runaway Jury) and Catherine Keener (The 40-year-old Virgin). Cusack plays unemployed puppeteer Craig Schwartz, living in New York City with his wife Lotte (Diaz). He eventually finds work as file clerk, working alongside Maxine (Keener).

 

Somehow, he discovers a small hidden door and after crawling through a tunnel, discovers the mind of actor John Malkovich on the other side. It gives on the ability to control John’s mind, thereby controlling his body. When Maxine finds out, she pushes Craig to sell it an experience for profit. Lotte is one of the first to enter, as an escape from her mundane marriage, and after a couple of goes becomes infatuated with by the idea of becoming a man. With themes of transgenderism and lesbianism, it certainly has a psychological twist that gets you thinking. It was positively received, with special praise for Charlie Kaufmann’s script. Roger Ebert exclaimed about the story – “we’re enchanted by one development after the next”. It’s available to loan now only on DVD – watch the trailer by clicking the link below:

 

 

Third up, we have the acclaimed biographical drama Dallas Buyers Club (2013), directed by Jean-Marc Vallée (The Young Victoria). It is based on the story of Ron Woodroof, a real-life Texas cowboy diagnosed with terminal AIDs in the mid-1980s, and his life and actions in the aftermath of his diagnosis. It stars Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar, The Gentlemen) as Ron, with Jennifer Garner (13 Going On 30) and Jared Leto (Panic Room, Suicide Squad).

 

After Ron’s diagnose, he remains in denial at first. He eventually remembers having unprotected intercourse with a drug user – realising this is how he contracted the disease. Unfortunately, his family & friends wrongly assume he contracted it through gay intercourse instead (a common source of the disease) and ostracize him. This causes Woodroof to become even more hostile to the LGBTQ+ community than he already was. In addition to being shunned, Ron Is both fired from his job and evicted from his home, his only confidant being his doctor, Eve Saks (Garner). Woodroof makes a desperate bid to prolong his life and alleviate his symptoms with her help. Along the way he meets fellow AIDs sufferer Raymond Rayon (Leto), a trans woman. Can she change the way he sees the LGBTQ+ community?

 

Unsurprisingly there are strong themes of discrimination towards various LGBTQ+ factions throughout, making it a hard but powerful watch. Both critics and audiences loved it however. It won an astounding 53 awards from 91 nominations including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor for McConaughey and Leto respectively, at bot the Oscars and Golden Globes no less. Both men were given the bulk of the praise with Betsy Sharkey [Los Angeles Times] stating that they – “elevate the movie beyond ordinary biography or overplayed tragedy”. Dallas Buyers Club is available to loan on DVD or watch on e-stream now, and you get a taste of McConaughey’s brilliant acting by clicking the link below:

 

Saving the best for last, we have the timeless western romance Brokeback Mountain (2005). Directed by Ang Lee (Sense & Sensibility, Life of Pi), it is based on a 1997 short story by Annie Proulx, and boasts an impressive cast that includes: Heath Ledger (A Knight’s Tale, The Dark Knight), Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Spiderman: Far From Home), Michelle Williams (The Greatest Showman) and Anne Hathaway (The Princess Diaries, Interstellar). Ledger & Gyllenhaal portray cowboys Ennis & Jack respectively. In Wyoming 1963, the two are hired by rancher Joe to herd sheep on the pastures of Brokeback Mountain for the summer. In a drunken haze, the two sleep together one night after Jack makes a pass at a reluctant Ennis (who is engaged to a woman named Alma). After a few trysts, the two eventually cultivate it into a relationship, which seemingly ends at the conclusion of their work contract, and a physical fight.

 

Ennis finally decides to marry Alma (Williams), in part due to society’s feelings on homosexuals at the time, and starts a family with her. Jack himself meets an marries Lureen (Hathaway). However, both men struggle to move on from each other, meeting up once in a while and must decide what they truly want in life. Brokeback Mountain garnered an incredibly positive response with Peter Bradshaw [The Guardian] branding it – “extremely moving, tragic even, and sensitive”. It was included on various critics Top 10 lists for the year 2005. Controversially losing out for the Best Picture Oscar, it still won 3 including Best Director. It was seen as a landmark film for LGBT cinema, influencing several later films and television series and was selected for preservation in the film registry in 2018. Watch it on e-stream, anytime, anywhere and have a sneak peek at one of the most powerful scenes in the movie by clicking the link below:

 

Celebrate this LGBTQ+ History Month by taking a look at one or more of these films. They may not all be based on true events, but they are all accurate portrayals of how LGBTQ+ persons have been perceived and treated in the last few decades. There is even some romance in these films to satisfy you this Valentines Day. Get watching!

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure how to access e-stream? Then simply click on the link below…