Feature Films - Subtle or Secondary Gay Theme
A list of LGBT and gay theme movies where the gay theme is a sub-plot, subtle or could be considered secondary to the main story. I've also included some films that I find intensely homoerotic.
For me, movies that I rate 5 and above deliver an enjoyable movie experience or make up an important part of our film history. Movies that I rate 8 and above are absolute must see!
I keep a separate list of primary gay theme features as well as short films, documentaries and television shows.
For me, movies that I rate 5 and above deliver an enjoyable movie experience or make up an important part of our film history. Movies that I rate 8 and above are absolute must see!
I keep a separate list of primary gay theme features as well as short films, documentaries and television shows.
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- DirectorSam MendesStarsKevin SpaceyAnnette BeningThora BirchA sexually frustrated suburban father has a mid-life crisis after becoming infatuated with his daughter's best friend.Among various themes including the idea of conformity and people’s obsession with attractiveness, lies a powerful portrayal of sexuality and the repression of gay feelings. The gay theme is masterfully combined into the wider story. 8/10
- DirectorNeil JordanStarsBrad PittTom CruiseAntonio BanderasA vampire tells his epic life story: love, betrayal, loneliness, and hunger.Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and Antonio Banderas are excellent in this epic story thick with homoeroticism. Anne Rice says "I have written individuals who can fall in love with men and women. Obviously, my attitudes toward androgyny and erotic love of all kinds influence all of my novels.” 8/10
- DirectorSidney LumetStarsAl PacinoJohn CazalePenelope AllenThree amateur bank robbers plan to hold up a bank. A nice simple robbery: Walk in, take the money, and run. Unfortunately, the supposedly uncomplicated heist suddenly becomes a bizarre nightmare as everything that could go wrong does.The gay elements of this story are wound into the work in such a natural way that is incredible for a movie from the seventies. Al Pacino's performance is excellent. 8/10
- DirectorXavier DolanStarsAnne DorvalXavier DolanFrançois ArnaudA semi-autobiographical story about Hubert as a young homosexual at odds with his mother.Largely autobiographical, a look at the volatile relationship of a gay 16-year-old son and his mother. The characters become incapable of living with or without each other. An intense and compassionate portrayal of this complex human interaction. French with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorMichael BurkeStarsEmile HirschRichard JenkinsTom GuiryThe film follows the story of Duncan, a fourteen-year-old misfit farm boy trying to fill the void and alleviate the numbness left by his mother's passing. Unable to let her go quite yet, Duncan mimics his dead mother. He talks in her voice at the dinner table and wears her fur coat to bed. Edgar, Duncan's distant sixty-year-old father, doesn't understand the strange manifestations of his son's mourning. Why can't Duncan grieve like a normal person? Macho mate Perry Foley, who has it physically even harder on his dad's farm, usually comforts Duncan and defends his 'wimpiness' to their cocky ruffian mates Travis, Scotty and Brent. But although clearly attracted to gentle Duncan himself, the socially unacceptable suggestion of 'sissy' homosexuality makes Perry over-react and turn on his friend.Odd and intense, well acted and impossible to dismiss. The nature of Duncan and Perry's relationship is never entirely clear. Maybe Duncan is a free spirit who causes the uncertainty in others to declare loudly just how certain they are! Recommended. 7/10
- DirectorEdgar WrightStarsMichael CeraMary Elizabeth WinsteadKieran CulkinIn a magically realistic version of Toronto, a young man must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes one by one in order to win her heart.In a small role, Kieran Culkin plays Wallace, Scott Pilgrim's gay best friend. The character is refreshingly different: an unapologetically gay guy who is ironic without being campy and sexual without being sex-obsessed. 7/10
- DirectorJonathan DaytonValerie FarisStarsSteve CarellToni ColletteGreg KinnearA family determined to get their young daughter into the finals of a beauty pageant take a cross-country trip in their VW bus.A good dark comedy about a dysfunctional family road trip. Steve Carell brings the gay theme to the story as the gay uncle.The film's message is delivered in a pure, honest and innocent way. 7/10
- DirectorAleksandr SokurovStarsAndrei ShchetininAleksei NeymyshevAleksandr RazbashA father and his son live together in a roof-top apartment. They have lived alone for years in their own private world, full of memories and daily rites. Sometimes they seem like brothers. Sometimes even like lovers. Following in his father's path, Aleksei attends military school. He likes sports, tends to be irresponsible and has problems with his girlfriend. She is jealous of Aleksei's close relationship with his father. Despite knowing that all sons must one day live their own lives, Aleksei is conflicted; his father knows he should accept a better job in another city, perhaps search for a new wife, but who will ease the pain of Aleksei's nightmares?A rich and wonderful art film that should be viewed and enjoyed as such. Many people focus on the possibility of a homosexual tone; the film's director rejecting this notion. From the perspective of a gay man, I agree that the film is incredibly homoerotic. Put away the labels and just enjoy this beautiful work. Russian with subtitles. 7/10
- DirectorJohn SchlesingerStarsDustin HoffmanJon VoightSylvia MilesA naive hustler travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune, finding a new friend in the process.Clarity is not given to the nature of the relationship between Joe Buck and Ratso Rizzo in this film from the 1960's. Certainly Joe finds himself in various homosexual situations, but they appear more out of a need to survive than one of desire. 7/10
- DirectorS.J. ClarksonStarsOscar KennedyVictoria HamiltonColin ProckterThe ultimate nostalgia trip through everything edible in 1960s Britain.A solid British drama in the style of Billy Elliot. This is a memoir of food writer, journalist and broadcaster, Nigel Slater's early years and a nostalgic trip back into 1960's Britain. It's well acted, particularly young Nigel played by newcomer Oscar Kennedy. 7/10
- DirectorAlan ParkerStarsBrad DavisIrene MiracleBo HopkinsBilly Hayes, an American college student, is caught smuggling drugs out of Turkey and thrown into prison.Billy Hayes had a sexual relationship in prison. Unfortunately the screenplay has Billy rebuke the advances but still show an affectionate relationship between the men. A great 1970's movie regardless. 7/10
- DirectorNicholas HytnerStarsRichard GriffithsFrances de la TourClive MerrisonAn unruly class of gifted and charming teenage boys are taught by two eccentric and innovative teachers, as their headmaster pushes for them all to get accepted into Oxford or Cambridge.Set in the early 80's, this is the story of eight English secondary school students and their teachers. The boys have qualified for the Oxbridge entrance exams and the movie's topics include academic competition, the purpose of education, and adolescent sexuality and coming of age. Homosexuality in some of the students and teachers is effectively incorporated into narrative. 6/10
- DirectorPascal-Alex VincentStarsAlexandre CarrilVictor CarrilAnaïs DemoustierTwin 18-year-olds hitchhike to their mother's funeral in Spain. The journey changes their lives forever.A slowly-paced, visual exploration of love, jealousy and betrayal. Through the bond of twins, see how siblings are similar and yet very different. Antoine and Quentin embark on a road trip to Spain. A major turning point occurs when one brother explores a homosexual relationship along the way. The story is visually conveyed which will not suit everyone. French with subtitles. 6/10
- DirectorRon DanielsStarsVictor RasukBrian J. SmithBenjamin WalkerThree young vigilantes huddle on la linea ready to chase illegals back across the border into Mexico... but they soon learn that there are borderlines deep within each one of them that each of them has to cross.A respectable crime drama with an excellent gay story arc. 6/10
- DirectorLindsay AndersonStarsMalcolm McDowellDavid WoodRichard WarwickIn this allegorical story, a revolution led by pupil Mick Travis takes place at an old established private school in England.An allegory comparing Britain to the corrupt and crumbling school institution. There are gay themes wound into piece. Most significant is the relationship between Warwick and Webster. The gym scene is a notable homoerotic scene, handled in a non-sensationalist way. The pair are later seen asleep in the same bed and it directly contrasts other homosexuality presented as exploitation of power by older boys over younger ones. 6/10
- DirectorGérald Hustache-MathieuStarsSophie QuintonMiou-MiouNicolas DuvauchelleAvril is a novice in a convent of "Baptistine" sisters, a monastic order which was officially dissolved by the end of the nineteenth century but that is kept alive by Mère Marie Joseph, the sadistic superior. The rule she imposes on the nuns is particularly strict but this is all Avril has ever known since she was born, for she was an abandoned child raised by the nuns with a view to making one of them. While Avril is on retreat, locked in for a fortnight in a chapel prior to taking her vows, Soeur Bernadette, a sympathetic sister, discloses a secret to her: she has a twin brother and she encourages her to go looking for him...A young nun absconds from her convent to locate her twin brother, and herself in process, in the French Camargue. Not a minute of this story is believable, although the actors and cinematography are appealing. Sophie Quinton is great and Clément Sibony plays her new-found gay brother. Despite the story's entire lack of believability, there is an off-beat quirky charm that makes this film enjoyable. 6/10
- DirectorDan CastleStarsLachlan BuchananXavier SamuelReshad StrikTragedy befalls one of three brothers while on an outback surfing outing with friends.
- DirectorTodd GraffStarsDon DixonDaniel LetterleJoanna ChilcoatAfter a series of Broadway flops, songwriter Bert Hanley (Dixon) goes to work at a musical camp for young performers. Inspired by the kids, he finds an opportunity to regain success by staging an altogether new production.A teen musical whose strength is solid musical numbers. Look elsewhere for a credible well developed script. The gay theme is introduced by Robin De Jesus playing Michael, a gay guy attending the camp who was rejected and beat up at his prom for showing up in drag. 4/10
- DirectorDave SchultzStarsBranden NadonJoe Norman ShawMatthew Currie HolmesA drug dealer finds an unlikely traveling companion in a runaway kid trying to dodge social services.
- DirectorDenis LangloisStarsRichard AngrignonStéphanie AubryJessie BeaulieuDanny is a romantic young man looking for love, the son of a gay dad and a top model mom who died of an overdose when he was still young. He wants to become part of a society that values luxury, glamour and appearances above all, by becoming a model. He embarks on a quest to find his real identity in a world that would make him gay because of his work, because of his paternal heritage, or simply because of his looks. He takes modeling to its extreme by becoming a stripper and finally finds the love he was looking for on the set of a porno shoot, with Karine, a photographer who's as voyeuristic as he is exhibitionnist. But destiny soon catches up with him...Not much here with poor acting and a lame story. Classing this as a gay theme movie is a disservice to the genre. The father of the lead character is gay but this is not his story. There are plenty of half clad sexy men, but genuine porn would be more satisfying. French with subtitles. 2/10
- DirectorAlfred HitchcockStarsFarley GrangerRobert WalkerRuth RomanA psychopathic man tries to forcibly persuade a tennis star to agree to his theory that two strangers can get away with murder by submitting to his plan to kill the other's most-hated person.
- DirectorAlfonso CuarónStarsMaribel VerdúGael García BernalDaniel Giménez CachoIn Mexico, two teenage boys and an older woman embark on a road trip and learn a thing or two about life and each other.
- DirectorCurtis HansonStarsMichael DouglasTobey MaguireFrances McDormandAn English Professor tries to deal with his wife leaving him, the arrival of his editor who has been waiting for his book for seven years, and the various problems that his friends and associates involve him in.
- DirectorBill CondonStarsLiam NeesonLaura LinneyChris O'DonnellA look at the life of Alfred Kinsey, a pioneer in the area of human sexuality research, whose 1948 publication "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male" was one of the first recorded works that saw science address sexual behavior.
- DirectorPascal ArnoldJean-Marc BarrStarsLizzie BrocheréArthur DupontGuillaume BachéChacun Sa Nuit ("To Each His Night") is a modern study of French teens which turns into a murder mystery. Narrated by the lone female in a quintet of very close friends, her narcissistic, bisexual twin brother ends up dead and she is bent on solving the crime. Rather than a whodunnit movie, in which the audience has clues, here all we can do is go along for the ride -- trying, with the sister, to unravel what happened and why. Contains non-sexual nudity, some sexual content and profanity.