Totally apolitical - but I just got home from "Sum of Us"

[Ms. Toad]

A wonderful off-Broadway play that was sponsored at one of our community theaters by our local gay community endowment fund, with a cast led by two very strong actors. If you get a chance to see it, I recommend it. It is a wonderful exploration of the relationship between a straight father and a gay son, the very real grieving a parent goes through upon learning their child won't have the family they imagined, the almost over the top unconditional (and at times oblivious) love the father has for his son, the tension between wanting the "normalcy" of parental acceptance - and the reality of far too many parents' reaction to their child coming out, and the yearning for a lifelong companion (both father and son).

A wonderful way to end the week.

[WCGreen]

1. I remember reading about the play in the NYT a while back and

thought it is a play I would love to see...

[jonnyblitz]

2. it was also a movie from the 90's starring Russell Crowe.

I remember seeing it back then.

[Ms. Toad]

3. I'm going to have to get the movie.

I had noticed that, as well.

[jonnyblitz]

4. after reading your OP it got me wanting to watch it again.

I would be curious to see the stage version though. I actually had no idea it was also a play and usually I am up on these things.

[Guilded Lilly]

5. one of Crowe's

BEST.But of course that list is fairly long :)

Honestly, a wonderful film, I can imagine how good the play must be as well.

[murielm99]

6. If gay people recommend it, I will rent the movie.

Often, if something out of Hollywood is billed as a comedy with gay characters, I worry about it being offensive or stupid.

[Ms. Toad]

7. I haven't seen the movie

so I can't comment on the movie - but if it is true to the play, it will be worth watching. I'll let you know next week after I watch it.

[murielm99]

9. Thanks! I will wait for your comments. n/t

[jonnyblitz]

8. i find foreign gay movies much better than the crap made in

the states. French and German gay films are often quite good.

[Guilded Lilly]

10. This isn't out of Hollywood.

This is Crowe in an Australian film.

"A 1994 Australian film version directed by Dowling and Geoff Burton starred Russell Crowe and Jack Thompson. The screen adaptation mimics the play's device of breaking the fourth wall with direct to camera conversational asides by both Harry and Jeff. Stevens' screenplay won awards from the Australian Film Institute and the Montréal World Film Festival, and the movie was named Best Film at the Cleveland International Film Festival."

[Smarmie Doofus]

11. Nothing on this topic is apolitical, seems to me.

>>>>>It is a wonderful exploration of the relationship between a straight father and a gay son, the very real grieving a parent goes through upon learning their child won't have the family they imagined,>>>>>

Sometimes I think the whole straight world should enroll in one immense grief counseling group to learn to cope with other folks' homosexuality.

Seriously... I haven't seen a live production but the movie version was ( if memory is serving today) surprisingly good. Haven't seen it since it opened but I'll get it on netflx.... if it can be gotten there.

Good post.