Reviews (4)

Too real for its own good
Having boxed in the amateurs, I can honestly say that this film is probably the cinema's most realistic depiction of the sport. As a result, the average viewer probably won't get into alot of it. The training sequences, open trials, and final bout (for the most part) lack the glorious pulse pounding experience of Rocky. However, its realism is a refreshing presentation and one that real boxers (especially amateurs) and boxing fans alike should appreciate. Some scenes were polished up for the average viewer. For example, if you have ever seen boxing matches, you know that if a boxer is knocked down and obviously won't make it up before the count of 10, the referee can stop it then and there. At the end of the film, watching the referee's actions, that's exactly what happened. However, the average viewer just won't get it. So, they dubbed his voice over to say "nine...ten...you're out!" Oh well, I can live with that.

Brandauer as always gives a stellar performance as well as a pre-famous Wesley Snipes. For you boxing fans out there: don't miss this one!

Excellent
This is one of those movies that never hit the main stream, but by all accounts it is well deserving. It is an excellent portrayal of the underdog who wins the glory. A must for Rocky fans. Wesley Snipes plays the street smart boxer and Adrian Pasdar plays a clean cut type. They both go through personal turmoil before they reach their goals.

A gritty, inspiring but overlooked classic
While this movie is dated and has somewhat of Cold War tone to it, it accurately reflects the Soviet Refusniks' dilemma in America's "Streets of Gold." It is one of my all-time favorites and I highly recommend it..

Dated but worth watching.
Although this is a dated, the plot is excellent as is the dialogue and actors. It's especially interesting to see a young Adrian Pasdar and a young Wesley Snipes. It's still a gritty story. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

The late Bill Sherwood's quiet little 1986 feature film about the early days of AIDS has held up remarkably well, and it still seems much smarter and less sentimental than higher-profile "AIDS movies" such as Longtime Companion and Philadelphia. It focuses on a couple, Michael and Robert, during a 24-hour period in New York City, as they prepare for Robert's departure on a trip to Africa. Michael must encourage his HIV-positive friend and former lover Nick (Steve Buscemi) to attend Robert's going-away party (hosted by The Drew Carey Show's Kathy Kinney), meanwhile trying to get Robert to stop avoiding Nick, the gnarly lead singer of a punk band whose video MTV has put into current rotation. Sherwood basically follows Michael around town, as he visits a record store, gets pursued by a cute young cashier, has dinner with a married couple, criticizes Robert for his callousness, and tries to nursemaid Nick, whose defiance against convention, pity, and a couple of bathetic Don Giovanni-inspired nightmares makes him the firm moral center of the film, rather than a victim. As Robert gets ready to leave, Nick plays a prank on Michael to test his devotion. Sherwood keeps issues unresolved and his characters very much alive. It's therefore a shame he didn't live long enough to make more witty, intelligent films like this. --Robert Burns Neveldine ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Never to Part with this Treasure
On a whim, I purcahsed this DVD without knowing much about it other than reading some of the reviews on Amazon, and the fact that Richard Ganoung was one of its stars. After receiving my DVD last Friday, I've watched the movie four times already. If that doesn't say alot...

What amazes me about this film is its honesty and realness. Bill Sherwood set out in '86 to create a film to accomplish exactly that. It covers a wide variety of topics, from relationship dynamics, to AIDS, to friendship, in such a way that every moment of this film seems real. The film doesn't seem dated, but timeless. The performances of Richard Ganoung, and Steve Buscemi, are real and frought with undercurrents of love and emotion.

If you are a DVD collector, please consider adding this treasure to your collection.

Wonderfully Imperfect & Heartfelt
In the years since it was first released, "Parting Glances" has acquired a loyal following. Few movies dealing in a gay social context are as appealing, unpretentious, or--best of all--as emotionally genuine.

Bill Sherwood's little film doesn't feature any big-name glamorous stars. The most recognizable names are Steve Buscemi (in fact, the spine of the DVD package reads "Steve Buscemi in Parting Glances") and Kathy Kinney, who has become known to millions for her hilarious character on "The Drew Carey Show." Kinney and especially Buscemi are excellent here. But so are most of the other actors. One thing that makes the film work so well is its use of performers who are not all movie-star beautiful. John Bolger plays a character who is supposed to be handsome, and he certainly fits the bill, as does Adam Nathan. But this movie is not just another excuse to display beautiful people. It has at its core an honesty that draws in the viewer and makes him/her feel like part of the proceedings. There is plenty of gentle humor and a few big laughs. There is also one deeply moving scene the sticks in the mind afterward like a revelation about the connection between people. Sherwood was a musician and there are many interesting and creative selections to be heard in the soundtrack. A couple of New York locations are used to good effect as well.

As far as the DVD issue is concerned. There aren't any real complaints. Picture and sound are as good as can be expected of a low-budget, independent film. "Extras" include text-only information about the making of the film. An interview with Buscemi, Kinney or any others would have been good. An irresistably charming and heartfelt film

A word about 'Parting Glances' Format...

A fantastic portrait of gay NYC life in the late 80's, and a timeless testament to the strength of friendship and allure of New York City.

My only gripe? It's not letterboxed. Does anyone know why?

Besides that, it's a good clean image of an uplifting and inspired film. I was pretty young when I first saw this on cable in the eighties, and it had a profound influence on my life then. I decided that I wanted to live my life the way the characters in this film did. And you know what? I'm thirty four now and I AM living life much like they do in this film.

Now that's inspired filmmaking!

Steve Buscemi is a marvel, in one of his first film roles. The soundtrack by Bronski Beat still thrills. And New York looks mighty fine. Oh, and the men are none too shabby in the looks department either.

Check it out.

TAKE A GLANCE AT A MOST PERFECT LOVE STORY
We leave you with a parting glance at Bill Sherwood's directorial debut, the funny, romantic and bittersweet 1986 film that was a pioneer of gay cinema and that remains the best film about gays and the AIDS epidemic ever made. It is a story of love, compassion and friendship -- the flick made a star out of lead Steve Buscemi -- told with style and sophistication that will you breathless whether you're gay or straight.

First, and Foremost a Good Film
What makes Parting Glances among the best of gay themed films is that it is first and foremost good film making...good writing. One way or another, Bill Sherwood knew that the demands of storytelling come first. So, while the gayness of the characters is inseprable from the story, it never becomes the story. These are characters indvidually realized. If any straight friends were curious about a gay themed film, this is the one I would put in their hands.
You might think a film about 24 hours in a man's life might end up being another "slice of life" shapeless slog-fest. Not in this case. The film has pace; there's nothing extraneous; nothing that doesn't add to your appreciation of the characters, whether it's a side bar discussion about a Flemmish painting, or a flash-back fantasy of a marauding romp around a Fire Island queen's swimming pool...everything contributes and moves the story forward.
It's a shame film making has lost Bill Sherwood. We can only wonder what else he might have created. Parting Glances is a beautiful legacy. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Too real for its own good
Having boxed in the amateurs, I can honestly say that this film is probably the cinema's most realistic depiction of the sport. As a result, the average viewer probably won't get into alot of it. The training sequences, open trials, and final bout (for the most part) lack the glorious pulse pounding experience of Rocky. However, its realism is a refreshing presentation and one that real boxers (especially amateurs) and boxing fans alike should appreciate. Some scenes were polished up for the average viewer. For example, if you have ever seen boxing matches, you know that if a boxer is knocked down and obviously won't make it up before the count of 10, the referee can stop it then and there. At the end of the film, watching the referee's actions, that's exactly what happened. However, the average viewer just won't get it. So, they dubbed his voice over to say "nine...ten...you're out!" Oh well, I can live with that.

Brandauer as always gives a stellar performance as well as a pre-famous Wesley Snipes. For you boxing fans out there: don't miss this one!

Excellent
This is one of those movies that never hit the main stream, but by all accounts it is well deserving. It is an excellent portrayal of the underdog who wins the glory. A must for Rocky fans. Wesley Snipes plays the street smart boxer and Adrian Pasdar plays a clean cut type. They both go through personal turmoil before they reach their goals.

A gritty, inspiring but overlooked classic
While this movie is dated and has somewhat of Cold War tone to it, it accurately reflects the Soviet Refusniks' dilemma in America's "Streets of Gold." It is one of my all-time favorites and I highly recommend it..

Dated but worth watching.
Although this is a dated, the plot is excellent as is the dialogue and actors. It's especially interesting to see a young Adrian Pasdar and a young Wesley Snipes. It's still a gritty story. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Never to Part with this Treasure
On a whim, I purcahsed this DVD without knowing much about it other than reading some of the reviews on Amazon, and the fact that Richard Ganoung was one of its stars. After receiving my DVD last Friday, I've watched the movie four times already. If that doesn't say alot...

What amazes me about this film is its honesty and realness. Bill Sherwood set out in '86 to create a film to accomplish exactly that. It covers a wide variety of topics, from relationship dynamics, to AIDS, to friendship, in such a way that every moment of this film seems real. The film doesn't seem dated, but timeless. The performances of Richard Ganoung, and Steve Buscemi, are real and frought with undercurrents of love and emotion.

If you are a DVD collector, please consider adding this treasure to your collection.

Wonderfully Imperfect & Heartfelt
In the years since it was first released, "Parting Glances" has acquired a loyal following. Few movies dealing in a gay social context are as appealing, unpretentious, or--best of all--as emotionally genuine.

Bill Sherwood's little film doesn't feature any big-name glamorous stars. The most recognizable names are Steve Buscemi (in fact, the spine of the DVD package reads "Steve Buscemi in Parting Glances") and Kathy Kinney, who has become known to millions for her hilarious character on "The Drew Carey Show." Kinney and especially Buscemi are excellent here. But so are most of the other actors. One thing that makes the film work so well is its use of performers who are not all movie-star beautiful. John Bolger plays a character who is supposed to be handsome, and he certainly fits the bill, as does Adam Nathan. But this movie is not just another excuse to display beautiful people. It has at its core an honesty that draws in the viewer and makes him/her feel like part of the proceedings. There is plenty of gentle humor and a few big laughs. There is also one deeply moving scene the sticks in the mind afterward like a revelation about the connection between people. Sherwood was a musician and there are many interesting and creative selections to be heard in the soundtrack. A couple of New York locations are used to good effect as well.

As far as the DVD issue is concerned. There aren't any real complaints. Picture and sound are as good as can be expected of a low-budget, independent film. "Extras" include text-only information about the making of the film. An interview with Buscemi, Kinney or any others would have been good. An irresistably charming and heartfelt film

A word about 'Parting Glances' Format...

A fantastic portrait of gay NYC life in the late 80's, and a timeless testament to the strength of friendship and allure of New York City.

My only gripe? It's not letterboxed. Does anyone know why?

Besides that, it's a good clean image of an uplifting and inspired film. I was pretty young when I first saw this on cable in the eighties, and it had a profound influence on my life then. I decided that I wanted to live my life the way the characters in this film did. And you know what? I'm thirty four now and I AM living life much like they do in this film.

Now that's inspired filmmaking!

Steve Buscemi is a marvel, in one of his first film roles. The soundtrack by Bronski Beat still thrills. And New York looks mighty fine. Oh, and the men are none too shabby in the looks department either.

Check it out.

TAKE A GLANCE AT A MOST PERFECT LOVE STORY
We leave you with a parting glance at Bill Sherwood's directorial debut, the funny, romantic and bittersweet 1986 film that was a pioneer of gay cinema and that remains the best film about gays and the AIDS epidemic ever made. It is a story of love, compassion and friendship -- the flick made a star out of lead Steve Buscemi -- told with style and sophistication that will you breathless whether you're gay or straight.

First, and Foremost a Good Film
What makes Parting Glances among the best of gay themed films is that it is first and foremost good film making...good writing. One way or another, Bill Sherwood knew that the demands of storytelling come first. So, while the gayness of the characters is inseprable from the story, it never becomes the story. These are characters indvidually realized. If any straight friends were curious about a gay themed film, this is the one I would put in their hands.
You might think a film about 24 hours in a man's life might end up being another "slice of life" shapeless slog-fest. Not in this case. The film has pace; there's nothing extraneous; nothing that doesn't add to your appreciation of the characters, whether it's a side bar discussion about a Flemmish painting, or a flash-back fantasy of a marauding romp around a Fire Island queen's swimming pool...everything contributes and moves the story forward.
It's a shame film making has lost Bill Sherwood. We can only wonder what else he might have created. Parting Glances is a beautiful legacy. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Too real for its own good
Having boxed in the amateurs, I can honestly say that this film is probably the cinema's most realistic depiction of the sport. As a result, the average viewer probably won't get into alot of it. The training sequences, open trials, and final bout (for the most part) lack the glorious pulse pounding experience of Rocky. However, its realism is a refreshing presentation and one that real boxers (especially amateurs) and boxing fans alike should appreciate. Some scenes were polished up for the average viewer. For example, if you have ever seen boxing matches, you know that if a boxer is knocked down and obviously won't make it up before the count of 10, the referee can stop it then and there. At the end of the film, watching the referee's actions, that's exactly what happened. However, the average viewer just won't get it. So, they dubbed his voice over to say "nine...ten...you're out!" Oh well, I can live with that.

Brandauer as always gives a stellar performance as well as a pre-famous Wesley Snipes. For you boxing fans out there: don't miss this one!

Excellent
This is one of those movies that never hit the main stream, but by all accounts it is well deserving. It is an excellent portrayal of the underdog who wins the glory. A must for Rocky fans. Wesley Snipes plays the street smart boxer and Adrian Pasdar plays a clean cut type. They both go through personal turmoil before they reach their goals.

A gritty, inspiring but overlooked classic
While this movie is dated and has somewhat of Cold War tone to it, it accurately reflects the Soviet Refusniks' dilemma in America's "Streets of Gold." It is one of my all-time favorites and I highly recommend it..

Dated but worth watching.
Although this is a dated, the plot is excellent as is the dialogue and actors. It's especially interesting to see a young Adrian Pasdar and a young Wesley Snipes. It's still a gritty story. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Never to Part with this Treasure
On a whim, I purcahsed this DVD without knowing much about it other than reading some of the reviews on Amazon, and the fact that Richard Ganoung was one of its stars. After receiving my DVD last Friday, I've watched the movie four times already. If that doesn't say alot...

What amazes me about this film is its honesty and realness. Bill Sherwood set out in '86 to create a film to accomplish exactly that. It covers a wide variety of topics, from relationship dynamics, to AIDS, to friendship, in such a way that every moment of this film seems real. The film doesn't seem dated, but timeless. The performances of Richard Ganoung, and Steve Buscemi, are real and frought with undercurrents of love and emotion.

If you are a DVD collector, please consider adding this treasure to your collection.

Wonderfully Imperfect & Heartfelt
In the years since it was first released, "Parting Glances" has acquired a loyal following. Few movies dealing in a gay social context are as appealing, unpretentious, or--best of all--as emotionally genuine.

Bill Sherwood's little film doesn't feature any big-name glamorous stars. The most recognizable names are Steve Buscemi (in fact, the spine of the DVD package reads "Steve Buscemi in Parting Glances") and Kathy Kinney, who has become known to millions for her hilarious character on "The Drew Carey Show." Kinney and especially Buscemi are excellent here. But so are most of the other actors. One thing that makes the film work so well is its use of performers who are not all movie-star beautiful. John Bolger plays a character who is supposed to be handsome, and he certainly fits the bill, as does Adam Nathan. But this movie is not just another excuse to display beautiful people. It has at its core an honesty that draws in the viewer and makes him/her feel like part of the proceedings. There is plenty of gentle humor and a few big laughs. There is also one deeply moving scene the sticks in the mind afterward like a revelation about the connection between people. Sherwood was a musician and there are many interesting and creative selections to be heard in the soundtrack. A couple of New York locations are used to good effect as well.

As far as the DVD issue is concerned. There aren't any real complaints. Picture and sound are as good as can be expected of a low-budget, independent film. "Extras" include text-only information about the making of the film. An interview with Buscemi, Kinney or any others would have been good. An irresistably charming and heartfelt film

A word about 'Parting Glances' Format...

A fantastic portrait of gay NYC life in the late 80's, and a timeless testament to the strength of friendship and allure of New York City.

My only gripe? It's not letterboxed. Does anyone know why?

Besides that, it's a good clean image of an uplifting and inspired film. I was pretty young when I first saw this on cable in the eighties, and it had a profound influence on my life then. I decided that I wanted to live my life the way the characters in this film did. And you know what? I'm thirty four now and I AM living life much like they do in this film.

Now that's inspired filmmaking!

Steve Buscemi is a marvel, in one of his first film roles. The soundtrack by Bronski Beat still thrills. And New York looks mighty fine. Oh, and the men are none too shabby in the looks department either.

Check it out.

TAKE A GLANCE AT A MOST PERFECT LOVE STORY
We leave you with a parting glance at Bill Sherwood's directorial debut, the funny, romantic and bittersweet 1986 film that was a pioneer of gay cinema and that remains the best film about gays and the AIDS epidemic ever made. It is a story of love, compassion and friendship -- the flick made a star out of lead Steve Buscemi -- told with style and sophistication that will you breathless whether you're gay or straight.

First, and Foremost a Good Film
What makes Parting Glances among the best of gay themed films is that it is first and foremost good film making...good writing. One way or another, Bill Sherwood knew that the demands of storytelling come first. So, while the gayness of the characters is inseprable from the story, it never becomes the story. These are characters indvidually realized. If any straight friends were curious about a gay themed film, this is the one I would put in their hands.
You might think a film about 24 hours in a man's life might end up being another "slice of life" shapeless slog-fest. Not in this case. The film has pace; there's nothing extraneous; nothing that doesn't add to your appreciation of the characters, whether it's a side bar discussion about a Flemmish painting, or a flash-back fantasy of a marauding romp around a Fire Island queen's swimming pool...everything contributes and moves the story forward.
It's a shame film making has lost Bill Sherwood. We can only wonder what else he might have created. Parting Glances is a beautiful legacy. ... Read more