Buddies

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Buddies

Released Sep 12, 1985

1h 21m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Popcornmeter

100%

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11 Reviews

47%

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50+ Ratings

A man in the final stages of AIDS shares personal memories and insights with his volunteer caregiver.

Leslie Felperin

Guardian

Offers a moving reminder of a time that seems both immensely far away and like yesterday.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 5, 2019

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

It's a film full of compassion yet miraculously free of self-pity.

Rated: 4/5

Dec 4, 2019

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Chuck Wilson

Village Voice

Thirty-three years after its initial release, the film remains as affecting as ever.

Jun 19, 2018

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Brian T. Carney

Washington Blade

Buddies paints a poignant tale with simple, assured filmmaking...

Dec 7, 2022

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David Parkinson

Radio Times

Raw it may be, but this captures a seismic moment in social history with clarity, compassion and authenticity.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 8, 2022

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Ben Turner

The Pink Lens

Passionate in its anger but tender in its humanity.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 1, 2021

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PridePosterStudios

A pioneering piece that led the way for other crucial films raising awareness of HIV.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

06/15/24

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Audience Member

Clearly a work of art and passion by people who have lived through it, and died shortly after. The most authentic movie ever made about HIV. A time capsule that should be preserved in the Smithsonian. It's that good.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A 1985 time capsule of a period that all of us wanted to forget, but couldn't and shouldering. Scripted in 5 days, shot in 9 days and edited in the director, Arthur J. Bressan's living room on a Moviola. Holds up in every way, even after 33 years.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Arthur J. Bressan Jr.

Director

Geoff Edholm

Robert Willow

David Schachter

David Bennett

Billy Lux

Edward

David Rose

Steve

Libby Saines

Mrs. Bennett

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Synopsis

A man in the final stages of AIDS shares personal memories and insights with his volunteer caregiver.

Director: Arthur J. Bressan Jr.
Producer: Arthur J. Bressan Jr.
Screenwriter: Arthur J. Bressan Jr.
Production Co: Film and Video Workshop
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 1985, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 29, 2020
Runtime: 1h 21m