The Imitation Gameis released today, in which Benedict Cumberbatch plays mathematician Alan Turing. But while the film focuses on Turing’s genius, and his breaking of the enigma code, which saved countless lives in the Second World War, the film also touches on (but does not show explicitly) a darker aspect of Turing’s life. Despite being considered a hero, Turing was subject to horrific treatment as a result of his sexuality, forced to agree to chemical castration to avoid a prison sentence, and eventually committing suicide. It is only in recent years that Turing has become widely celebrated and his treatment condemned. As a true pioneer, it only seems fitting that we recognise some of the other gay figures who have had a significant impact on the world, and their appearances in cinema.
Note: this article only focuses on the biopics of gay men, as you would not believe how difficult it is to find great biopics of lesbian, bisexual and transgender pioneers.
Adapted from the autobiography of the same title as a film for the BBC, Christopher and His Kind sees Matt Smith play the pioneering gay writer Christopher Isherwood. Documenting Isherwood’s years in Berlin, where he was inspired to write some of his most famous works such as Sally Bowles, the film touches on the idea of the stranger in a foreign land, the decadence of the Berlin underground scene in the 1930s, and the ever-increasing threat of the Nazi regime. Isherwood is ever the romantic, falling first for a straight rent boy who eventually joins the Nazi military, and later his sweet, genuine love for the young Heinz, and it’s destruction under the threat of war. Despite the tragedy of the events, Isherwood’s relationships with the people in his life, especially the woman who would come to inspire Sally Bowles, are beautiful and joyous, and it’s these experiences that would lead to Isherwood crafting such brilliant novels. Played brilliantly by Matt Smith, the Isherwood in this film is intelligent, optimistic, and revolutionary.
This drama for which Sean Penn won the Best Actor Academy Award is the story of gay rights activist Harvey Milk. Taking place in 1970s San Francisco, Milk’s story is one that resonates to this day with LGBT campaigners in both America and globally. Despite meeting a tragic end with an assassination, what Milk achieved in his short life set the USA on a path to change, and it is no surprise that San Francisco is now considered one of the most gay-friendly cities on Earth. Co-starring James Franco and Diego Luna amongst others, Milk’s all-star cast knocks a gay story, still sadly considered a niche genre, into the Hollywood big leagues, and ensures that these historic game changers have their influence felt throughout history.
While this film is the story of the murder that united the Beat Generation of Allan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac and William S Burroughs, by pitting Ginsberg as the film’s protagonist and primary viewpoint character, it can also be read as a biopic of the poet’s early life. Documenting Ginsberg’s early experimentation with poetry, breaking out of the generic mould of his Columbia classmates thanks to the influence of the beautiful and damaged Lucien Carr, Kill Your Darlings also explores Ginsberg’s sexual awakening. Played by Daniel Radcliffe in a career-best performance, this controversial and innovative figure is given an origin story full of the excitement, libertarianism and jazz that reflects his poetic style.
Sticking with Allen Ginsberg as the subject, James Franco takes on the poet in later years, specifically tackling the controversy surrounding the publication of his epic beat poem Howl. Far more experimental in nature than Kill Your Darlings, Howl is constructed around an interview with Ginsberg, reflecting on his life and writing. This is intercut with the story of his trial for obscenity with Howl’s publication, and most brilliantly of all, vividly animated sequences illustrating the poem, as Franco-as-Ginsberg reads it for an incredulous and hysterical audience. Not as emotionally involving as Kill Your Darlings, the experimental nature of this film is perhaps the best way to showcase the poem that defined a generation of writers.
Considered “too gay” for cinema release in America and given a home on HBO (the UK did show it in cinemas), Behind the Candelabra is the story of the great pianist Liberace. Not concerned so much with his career but with his personal life with long-time lover Scott Thorson, Behind the Candelabra stars Michael Douglas as the pianist, and Matt Damon as Thorson, with each giving simply superb performances. Douglas loses himself completely in the camp and vain world of Liberace, while Damon does wonderful work with the less flamboyant but more emotionally complex role of Thorson. With a brilliant supporting cast including an unrecognisable Rob Lowe as a plastic surgeon, Behind the Candelabra is a film about how youth and beauty can corrupt a person, and how, despite the awful breakdown of their relationship, Liberace remained ever the showman.
Okay, so this is not a particularly great film, but the subject is my favourite writer of all time, so it would be remiss of me not to include it. Little Ashes is the story of Andalucian poet and playwrite Federico Garcia Lorca. While there are some nicely realised moments in the film, the one thing that sticks in the mind is Robert Pattinson playing Salvadore Dali having an on screen wank. Really.