Underrated LGBT Movies of 2018

Are movies with dashing young men and demure women getting too boring? Well, you’re in luck because this year has been great for LGBT characters in movies. Whether it’s the cheesy rom-com “Love, Simon” or the fantasyland drama “Call Me By Your Name,” LGBT roles have become more prolific this year. “Queer” roles are no longer confined to the gay best friend of a popular high school girl. In an attempt to find quality LGBT movies that weren’t plastered all over the box offices, I reviewed three lesser-known movies: “Boy Erased,” “The Favourite” and “The Gospel According to André”.

Boy Erased (⅘) – Religion and homosexuality are two things that are centered around Jared Eamons, a religious man who is secretly gay. After he was outed to his pastor father and cherub mother, they send him to a camp (but not one with lakes and cabins) — a gay conversion camp. Jared’s parents think the best way to heal their child is to rid him of his identity, so they send him to a 12-day program to “cure” Jared of his “ungodly” desires.

This movie captures the headspace of a young person trying to come to terms with their sexuality  while being terrified of having their family or even community find out about their “sinful” disposition. Coming out is a real fear that many queer teens still suffer from, especially if it’s not on their own terms. The situation presented in the movie could easily strike a cord with LGBT teens, because many can relate to the position he is in.

The movie isn’t too coy with how things are presented on screen, and I found myself  slack jawed while staring at a bluntly depicted, emotional rape scene or watching another inmate being senselessly beaten with a Bible by his 4-year-old sister. Many parts of this movie made me feel extremely uncomfortable and I found myself shouting in disbelief at my computer – sometimes I had to pause the movie and really take in what horrific things I was witnessing.

With the exception of Natalie Portman trying to trick us into thinking she is an elderly mother, the acting was all around believable with a star-studded cast including Troye Sivan and Russell Crowe. If you are planning on watching this movie make sure you bring a tissue box and a blanket.

The Favourite (5/5) – Set in early 18th century England, this historical dramedy documents the reign of Queen Anne during a war with France. This ticking time bomb of a queen who has no interest in reigning becomes more romantically interested in her advisor, Sarah Churchill. However, Sarah’s cousin, Abigail, soon requests a job at the palace and Anne develops liking towards Abigail, making Sarah furious. Pettiness and bitterness ensue.

The movie shows how desire for someone can lead a person to make drastic decisions. Every chance the girls get to win the queen’s love becomes even more ridiculous than the last — from Sarah shooting Abigail with an empty gun to Abigail poisoning Sarah and watching her wake up in a brothel. While watching these petty acts, I marvel at how ludicrously everything was executed, ensuring non-stop comedic riot.

The set and costumes are so real you could mistake the film for a BBC documentary about the lavish life of an aristocrat. Whether Queen Anne is gambling on her numerous duck races or playing with one of her 17 rabbits in the garden, she is the pinnacle of luxury.

I was initially unsure about Emma Stone taking on a British role, but not only did she nail it, I actually believed she was of royal British descent. Olivia Colman also portrayed Queen Anne as an elegant old woman with a childish demeanor – whether it was procrastinating from ruling her country or yelling at her servants for looking at her, she took a comedic spin on a regal personality.

The suspenseful music added to the background left me constantly awaiting jump scares that never came, which is a unique way to tackle a comedy, but it worked. I was rarely looking away from my screen.

This movie really depicts a hidden part of history: the secret same sex relationships between royal.”The Favourite” comedically brings history to life — while having the royal court look like fools.

The Gospel According to André (4/5) – Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair – he has the savoir faire for all things FASHION! This lighthearted documentary covers the life and work of accredited fashion editor André Leon Talley. Known for his pope-like capes and outgoing jargon of “yes hunny’s” the audience gets to see him live his life as one of the best gay fashion journalists.

The movie immerses you in his life as a kid, revealing the pan of 12 biscuits his grandma made for him very morning, unlike the Lucky Charms and orange juice I indulged as a kid. We also get to see his trips to the Duke College library to read the latest issue of VOGUE. I really appreciated these details because it shows how different life was for a young black kid in the Jim Crow south compared to life in suburbia.

Along with the more light-hearted moments of his life, we also see him attacked with stones by frat boys and called an ape by his coworkers — revealing some of the struggles he went through as a young African American boy in the 1960’s. Homophobia and racism are not touched upon in the movie and many critics claimed it as “only touching the surface.”
I would totally disagree. I think it is much better to show how great you can be no matter orientation or race,  rather than focusing on racism and homophobia in a negative way.

This film shows how amazing it is to find success in the popular world despite being black and gay. Despite the tremendous adversity he faces throughout the film, you still find him laughing over how he is now worth $5 million.

Although he is often too busy working backstage at Fashion Week to be recognized by the mainstream public, I am excited for him to have his own shining moment on the Hollywood Silver Screen.