So it's inevitable that comparison with Brokeback Mountain will be made, how this is a groundbreaking film that preceded Brokeback by more than 20 years. But really, this ain't no Brokeback Mountain and there is simply no comparison. For one thing, the film is badly acted, if people ever thought that Harry Hamlin's career was damaged by playing gay in this film, they'd be mistaken. His career was more probably damaged because this film showed how limited an actor he was. Performances by Michael Ontkean and Kate Jackson weren't really any better - the anguish that they must have felt simply weren't conveyed effectively apart form one single moment at their breakup scene.
Despite the subject matter, the film is for the most part quite insipid and really rather dull. It never really raises itself above the level of an average TV movie and has the feel of one too. The direction and execution of the film are somewhat lack lustre, and the script is pedestrian apart from a few scenes. There are a few light touches that work reasonably well, but they can't rescue the film from being a rather second-rate effort. I have no doubt that this film was ground-breaking in its days and that the actors were brave to become involved in this film, I just wish that the result had been much better.
Despite the subject matter, the film is for the most part quite insipid and really rather dull. It never really raises itself above the level of an average TV movie and has the feel of one too. The direction and execution of the film are somewhat lack lustre, and the script is pedestrian apart from a few scenes. There are a few light touches that work reasonably well, but they can't rescue the film from being a rather second-rate effort. I have no doubt that this film was ground-breaking in its days and that the actors were brave to become involved in this film, I just wish that the result had been much better.