Looking: The Movie HBO

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 4:57am

I thought the film which was more of an extension of the series was very well done. The director did such a wonderful job of authentically capuring the essence of the city. I loved how he bathed the location in blue and then how the city gradually became more luminous as Patrick gained clarity. I also thought the sub themes were thoughtful, how we think our lives will go one way when we are young and then how we end up building on all of our experiences. There also was a wink to how different generations of gay men view the world (and I think the series) because of their own experiences and the work that other gay men have done before them.

It was cool how they used Cleve Jones (the man who created the AIDS quilt) as the MC on stage that introduced Patrick to toast the marriage at City Hall. I used to live in the City and loved its magic, gay history, bars, restaurants, breath taking views  and romanticism.

Updated On: 7/24/16 at 04:57 AM

[MadViolist]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 1:25pm

I've just seen it and it was really bitter-sweet experience because I just loved the series and most of the characters still feel so strangely real to me --- and complexity of all the relationships was so enormous during these two seasons that they could hardly finish it all in one sequel. I find it really sad we won't ever find out so many things about it just after it got so intimate in the finale of season two.

And oh my - the director's craft and skills to capture a moment ... just something you don't see every day. Beautiful and sad.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 7/24/16 at 7:54pm

Moderate fan of the series-- huge fan of this wrap-up movie. I also was touched by the appearance of Cleve Jones-- very classy of the show.

This series always hit the sweet spot for me of a Millenial updating of the old Queer as Folk series, but with infinitely better writing and way more honest treatments of gay sex (finally!) In this wrap-up movie, I really responded to that make-out attempt between best friends Patrick and Dom. Beautiful and honest and recognizable for ANY gay best friends who wonder whether their true soulmate might be standing right beside them all along. Loved the nasty scene of full closure with Russell Tovey-- satisfyingly conclusive. Loved the final pullback shot showing the interior of the all-night diner on Market St with the original core cast, then pulling out wider and wider to show all of Castro St-- great idea for a final curtain.

On a personal note, I couldn't help welling up when Tyne Daly met our gang atop the marble staircase in the rotunda of City Hall to marry Agustin and Eddie. That was the staircase from which I married my beloved partner Paul, not once but twice, back in 2004 and then again in 2008. For me there is no more sacred a spot in all of San Francisco.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 8:03am

I loved the "final curtain" as well. That breath taking view greeted me a million times as I walked up that Market Street hill towards the Castro. I loved how the last scene transisted into that infamous corner restaurant and then the camera panned out with its final love letter image.

 

There is an old movie called Trick which I have always loved, where the morning light comes up on the West Village in New York and the image is magical and romantic.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 2:26pm

I enjoyed the film a great deal also.  I was most impressed with Russell Tovey's performance in particular. The balance between affection and anger in that big scene was really powerful and most moving. 

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 3:02pm

As so often happens, I agree with Someone in a Tree2. Loved the movie; glad they used Someone's special spot along with MY special actor: Tyne Daly. She elevates everything!

And talk about capturing San Francisco! There was so much background noise, I could only understand about every third word. It was just like really being in the "City by the Bay"!

[Roscoe]

Posted: 7/25/16 at 3:25pm

The only thing missing was crazy shouting homeless people picking fights with pedestrians.