Search - Longtime Companion on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Nudity, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Sexual Situations Movie Release: 1990 DVD Release: 01/23/2001 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, Spanish Subtitles: French, Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 40 mins Studio: MGM Members Wishing: 4 Genres: Drama, Medical Drama, Gay & Lesbian Films

At the time of Longtime Companion's release in 1990, the devastating disease of AIDS was seen as a mysterious and deadly scourge, replete with rumors, lies, and panic. As the first narrative film to examine the AIDS epidemic, screenwriter Craig Lucas and director Norman René place the disease in an historical context, dramatizing the impact of the disease through time in a series of vignettes involving seven gay men. AIDS first made its presence felt surreptitiously, as an article in The New York Times reported on a rare cancer attacking gay men called Karposi's syndrome. Then the Village Voice began a series of in-depth articles concerning a "gay plague" which later became known as AIDS. The film follows the AIDS crisis through the lives of the seven main characters so that they are only aware of AIDS in the historical framework of each episode. The characters include former gay couple Willy (Campbell Scott) and John (Dermot Mulroney), first seen partying at a Fire Island club, who don't pay much attention to the mysterious article in The New York Times but become intimately effected by the disease. There is also Sean (Mark Lamos), a soap opera writer whose mind is slowly deteriorating because of the disease, and his supportive friend David (Bruce Davidson). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Bruce Davison - David
Campbell Scott - Willy
Stephen Caffrey - Fuzzy
Mark Lamos - Sean
Patrick Cassidy - Howard
Mary-Louise Parker - Lisa

The first of Norman Rene's collaborations with writer Craig Lucas, Longtime Companion, comes to DVD with a widescreen transfer that preserves the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1. English and Spanish soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Mono. Spanish and French subtitles are accessible, and the English soundtrack is closed-captioned. Supplemental materials include the original theatrical trailer. This is a good disc from MGM/UA, although considering the historical impact of this film, some extras would have improved the package. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide