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Parting Glances

Play trailer Poster for Parting Glances 1986 1h 30m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
As Robert (John Bolger), a successful young gay man, prepares to leave New York City for an extended work assignment abroad, his boyfriend, Michael (Richard Ganoung), must contend with his imminent absence and its effect on their relationship. Meanwhile, Michael also cares for his ex-lover, Nick (Steve Buscemi), who is struggling with HIV. At a going-away party for Robert, emotions run high as the men and their friends deal with their changing realities.

Critics Reviews

View All (10) Critics Reviews
Dennis Harvey 48 Hills One of the first movies to dramatize the AIDS era. While the Manhattan-set story’s focus is on a gay couple on the verge of breakup, the film is pretty much stolen whole by Steve Buscemi’s breakout turn... Mar 10, 2023 Full Review Joe Bittmann Washington Blade The film’s effect is that of a fleeting glimpse into the past and future on the cusp of a long night. The moods and images Parting Glances projects, firmly fixed in their period, will nevertheless resonate for a long time to come. May 23, 2022 Full Review Nicholas Deutsch Gay Community News (Boston) Even if parts of it are disappointing, it’s a warm, well-made celebration of being a gay man in terrible times. And Buscemi’s acerbic, vulnerable Nick will stay in your mind afterwards. May 12, 2022 Full Review Glenn Heath Jr. San Diego CityBeat The film may be shot like a breezy New York City trifle, but an aching undercurrent resides in every interaction. Nov 3, 2018 Full Review Annie Wagner The Stranger (Seattle, WA) Tender and resolutely unsentimental, Parting Glances avoided future AIDS movie clichs not because the example had yet to be set, but because its interests lay elsewhere. Aug 22, 2017 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews It was one of the first films to confront the emotional repercussions of AIDS, and has not become dated--which speaks volumes for this appealing candid movie. Rated: A- Nov 23, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Bill Sherwood presents a love story about receiving bad news and what to face once it's passed. John Bolger, Richard Ganoung, and Steve Buscemi in one of the earliest LGBTQ flicks from the 1980s. Robert and Michael have to deal with their long distance relationship when he's offered an extended assignment for his job. Then his ex Nick comes back. Turns out he's diagnosed with HIV. Now they have to face their realities as they start to take shape. This was a landmark in gay cinema and one of the first to address the AIDS crisis. Both Robert and Michael are struggling with separating and given Nick's situation it just strains everything. I just thought this was okay. But the underlying emotions are ever present from all the actors involved. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member A touching humorous look at gay and straight friendships, romances in the early days of HIV. Steve Buscemi is great in the role of Nick. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review Audience Member The first Buscemi movie. Pretty much the first AIDS movie, too. He's a risk taker, that's for certain. It's a talky movie with gay characters, and for it's time, that was a revelation. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member Steve Buscemi's performance is unforgettable. The rest of the acting does not always feel as real as needed, but this is a major step forward for independent Queer Film and offers a great deal of insight into the era in which it was made. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member One of the first films dealing with the AIDS crisis, and still one of the better ones. Unfortunately the director, Bill Sherwood, never made another film before his AIDS related death. We lost a potentially fine filmmaker when he let go this mortal coil. This is one of the few films that seem even better now. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member i remember when this came out it is still a fave Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Parting Glances

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Parting Glances

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Movie Info

Synopsis As Robert (John Bolger), a successful young gay man, prepares to leave New York City for an extended work assignment abroad, his boyfriend, Michael (Richard Ganoung), must contend with his imminent absence and its effect on their relationship. Meanwhile, Michael also cares for his ex-lover, Nick (Steve Buscemi), who is struggling with HIV. At a going-away party for Robert, emotions run high as the men and their friends deal with their changing realities.
Director
Bill Sherwood
Producer
Yoram Mandel, Arthur Silverman
Screenwriter
Bill Sherwood
Production Co
Rondo Productions
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 17, 2020
Runtime
1h 30m