Southern Baptist Sissies

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Southern Baptist Sissies

2013

2h 18m

Drama

LGBTQ+

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

85%

Popcornmeter

50+ Ratings

Four gay boys grow up in a Southern Baptist Church, and each has a different path coming to terms with his homosexuality.

Frank Scheck

The Hollywood Reporter

... the ensemble does an excellent job of adjusting their performances for the cameras, with the young male leads delivering sensitive, well-modulated turns that keep us fully involved in their characters' fates.

Sep 1, 2017

Full Review

Martin Tsai

Los Angeles Times

Designated for a safe space containing a receptive audience, the play neither provokes nor challenges. It preaches to the choir instead of spreading the word.

Mar 6, 2014

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

While some will unquestionably be uncomfortable in watching Southern Baptist Sissies, such discomfort is not a bad thing.

Rated: 4.0/4.0

Sep 1, 2020

Full Review

Jamie S. Rich

Oregonian

The pieces of the play fit together a little too neatly, but "Southern Baptist Sissies" has many powerful displays of heavy emotion, building to a cathartic climax.

Rated: 3/5

Mar 28, 2014

Full Review

Fr. Chris Carpenter

Movie Dearest

To call it stagey is an understatement, since it is simply a filmed version of a performance of (Del Shores') play. As such, it is also overlong at 138 minutes without the benefit of an intermission and comes across as preachy and pedantic.

Rated: C-

Mar 8, 2014

Full Review

Rich Cline

Contactmusic.com

A filmed staging of Del Shores' provocative stage play, this movie is an engaging exploration of the point where religion and sexuality collide in the American South.

Rated: 4.5/5

Feb 27, 2014

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Cheryl C

Having grown up in a small Southern Baptist church in the 60's and 70's I now consider myself an atheist due to their very special Christian love aka hate. I did enjoy the show very much and the performances were spot on.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/30/25

Full Review

Fred F

As a recovering sissy Baptist, I recognized many of the scenes and deeply felt the emotions played out on the stage. This is a very thoughtful, deep expression of the process of growing up in a Baptist church. Excellent acting, singing. You will feel all the feels...laughter and tears included. Cathartic!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Great job mixing the struggle between and homosexuality and religion. A must see for those who need a reminder that you are OK just the way you are.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The pieces of the play fit together a little too neatly, but "Southern Baptist Sissies" has many powerful displays of heavy emotion, building to a cathartic climax.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For some reason, I had been expecting a comedy musical in the style of The Book of Mormon. Boy -- was I wrong! This is a serious play (with many comedic moments) about the isolation of gays in society and injustice imposed by religion. It is undoubtedly the most effective translation of a live play to film that I have ever seen, and for that, the director gets big points. Although I was slow to warm to it, I did eventually become invested in the characters and was moved nearly to tears by the end. It has an excellent script with some very fine acting, particularly from the veteran actors. I recommend this film to those who are not uncomfortable with challenging their beliefs, culture and religion.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Loved the play. Loved the film. Del Shores is a genius and this is his masterpiece. The bar scenes with Leslie Jordan and Dale Dickey are an acting master class.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/23

Full Review

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Del Shores

Director

Emerson Collins

Mark

Leslie Jordan

Peanut

Dale Dickey

Odette

Willam Belli

Benny

Newell Alexander

Preacher

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Synopsis

Four gay boys grow up in a Southern Baptist Church, and each has a different path coming to terms with his homosexuality.

Director: Del Shores
Producer: Emerson Collins, Del Shores
Screenwriter: Del Shores
Production Co: Beard Collins Shores Productions
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 23, 2016
Runtime: 2h 18m

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