Search - A Different Story on DVD

One of the best gay-lesbian films

03/28/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This gem is virtually impossible to find, and that's a pity. "A Different Story" was among the very, very few gay-lesbian films of the 70's, a decade that, although relatively recently, was shamefully replete of works that didn't demean the gay person and, instead, reinforced just about every homosexual stereotype thinkable. Remarkably, the film featured hunky Perry King and breathtakingly beautiful Meg Foster as a gay man and lesbian woman, respectively, who enter into a marriage of convenience to spare King's character as a foreigner from being deported. Although the couple continue their respective lifestyles independent of each other, they eventually are attracted to each other, and the never-before thought that two gay people of different sexes could love each other blossoms. As it does, each is forced to confront and sacrifice some dimension of their alternate lifestyles to strengthen their own relationship. A predictable sub-plot is the "guy almost loses girl but they find each other again" bit when they come to their senses and literally fall into each other's arms. Both King and Foster are dynamic here, and a well-written script helps them to project their characters as real people with real feelings and real everyday situations with their sexual orientation not really that pertinent. They and the script, in the end, treat the subjects of homosexuality and being gay with respect and dignity, and that there's no steamy sex in this one is actually a saving grace: having it would have been nothing more that vulgar gratuity. This jewel of a film is obviously well buried: finding it is virtually, if not totally, impossible. It's just a good-feel love story and, gay or not, who of us doesn't need one of those once in a while?"

"Yes, I have. Several, and not particularly."

Lucas_Mayo | Nashville TN | 01/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One will no doubt read many venomous reviews of this film. Most were written by offended homosexuals. Ignore them. This film seems more keen to explore gender roles rather than just being another gay platform. Personally, sexuality has never simplified anything, in my opinion. So I don't want a predictable plotline from a film that deals with this subject matter. You won't find that sort of predictabitlity here.

This is a brave cinematic work for its time and seems even more courageous today. The basic plot: an illegal, gay immigrant is befriended by a gay real estate agent. One drunken evening, the consumate their friendship, which results in a pregnancy. The become a couple, get married and begin dealing with day to day struggles.

Honest, complex, and engaging, I highly recommend viewing this film. Again, it is my belief that it was intended to tackle gender assigment, and it does so. There are rather harrowing consequences for the two characters, but I won't ruin it for anyone."