Longtime Companion (1989)

The emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic is chronicled in the lives of several gay men living during the 1980s.I was not particularly aware of cinema in the 1980s, but my sense today (2017) is that this is an awfully important film. HIV and AIDS did not really become something mainstream films tackled until "Philadelphia", but this film was ahead of that curve being quite open and honest.It also deserves praise, not just for exploring the issue of HIV, but for presenting gay men without reducing them to some kind of stereotype. All too often it seems "gay movies" play up the camp factor. This is fine, of course, but tends to further the idea that the gay community and society as a whole are mutually exclusive, which is anything but the truth.

At the time of its release, the term "longtime companion" had a different meaning than the one displayed in this film's title: it did not have the connotation that it does now, but was the equivalent to what "significant other" is in our times nearly twenty years later. It certainly carried an aura of gravitas as it defined a romantic but very serious notion that two people were bound together by ties stronger than the sexual and were, truthfully, partners for life, for better or worse.Norman Rene's groundbreaking film LONGTIME COMPANION is that rare act that takes hold of a term, gives it life and new meaning, and is one that has not aged since its premiere in 1990, when queer cinema was barely a blip in the arena and the themes still being explored were the conflicts of coming out (to one's self, to the world), usually with a sordid, semi-exploitative tone. Up until then the only other film that treated homosexuality as a natural occurrence -- complete with a view of the horrors of gay bashing -- was TORCH SONG TRILOGY, which also remains rather contemporary with the times.Like a trip down memory lane, it divides itself in chapters, focusing on the appearance of what was (then) known as the "gay cancer" and crept its way into social consciousness as a fearsome, four letter word we now acknowledge as AIDS. We're introduced to a variety of characters, all realistic in nature, and confront their issues that are commonplace. Friendships are formed, love is exchanged, and all the while bonds are tested as this "thing", this invisible character, becomes almost omnipresent in every sense of the word. A very grim, yet real scene early in the film is one that can't be denied: at a hospital visit, one character (played by Campbell Scott) immediately washes his hands in restrained disgust after greeting a sick friend (Dermot Mulroney) because of the fear of contagion. Counterpointed is a much later, extremely emotional scene involving Bruce Davidson as he says goodbye to his lover and allows him to "let go".It's two sides of the coin, but Norman Rene creates a haunting experience that remains indelible to anyone who has been in those situations. It's in my own opinion one of the finest films about gay men ever done, and it's a must for anyone getting into queer cinema.

Longtime Companion draws you into the personal lives of young gay men. We feel what it is like to be held in the grip of fear, to watch friends and lovers die, to experience the prejudice and indifference of the Hetrosexual world, and to comfort the sick and the dying with compassion.By being invited briefly into our community, you'll gain a much needed perspective on what AIDS has meant to gay community and from them you'll learn of the challenges the disease poses to the rest of the world.Longtime Companion lingers in our mind far after the closing credits have appeared on the screen. With its remarkable humor and humanity, this film about love and loss proclaims that caring and compassion are what make us human. It is about all the things that should make us what we are, as a race.

and this film should continue to make an impression over time as well. The performances by Campbell Scott, Mr. Davison and Mark Lamos deserve special mention. There is also a pivotal role with Dermot Mulroney, before he was big box-office.Many reviewers have mentioned the theme, so I will not belabor the point. I will mention that, other than the film "The Band Played On", this film addresses the human issues involved with AIDS, or any illness. It has a message without being trite or preachy, or melodramatic. This is difficult to pull off, if you watch other movies of this genre they often do not ring true, or the performances are over the top. This movie makes the audience feel part of it, those of us who grew up in the 80's remember the Reagan jokes, the first "Dynasty" episode to address the AIDS issue, and so on. There was a lot of denial at this time, and I am not so sure there still isn't, in some sectors of society.At any rate, you should rent or buy this movie if you haven't been able to catch it on cable. I am hard pressed to think of other movies which have addressed this issue in a sensitive, realistic way; "Torch Song Trilogy" with Harvey Fierstein and Matthew Broderick was an excellent film, but did not address the AIDS issue directly. If anyone can think of any please recommend them!.