8 Queer Films to Watch During an 8 Week Quarantine:
The current state of the world is not very fun. If you’re like us at Queer Chocolatier right now, you’re facing the full effects of a global pandemic and nationwide quarantine. But fret not! Scientifically, there is almost nothing that queer cinema can’t fix. Because of that completely peer reviewed and test fact, I’ve gone ahead and compiled a list of LGBTQ+ movies that you can use to distract from the less than ideal situation we’re facing. So sit back, relax, and watch some adorable queer folk find love.
The Way He Looks
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It’s not all that common to find a movie about disabled queer people, even less so to find one about disabled queer people of color. The Way He Looks comes through delivering a truly touching story that is perfect for these grim times. If you don’t mind subtitles that is, as the film is entirely in Portuguese (be an adult and read the dialogue, it won’t hurt you). Leonardo is a blind teenager coming to the realization that he has feelings for one of his closest friends. A movie that truly moves, The Way He Looks captures that all-too-familiar feeling of awkwardness you get when you fall for your friends and the nostalgic charm of a first crush. With a soundtrack to die for on top of beautiful cinematography this film is certainly worth a watch. It was recently taken off of Netflix but is still available on Amazon Prime Video.
The Birdcage
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This is a Robin Williams movie. That should be enough for you. I’ll explain more though. Robin Williams is a man in a loving relationship with a drag queen. When their son reveals that he wants his fathers to meet his fiancés’ conservative Christian parents, they devise a scheme to fake straight in order to make things a little easier. This film is as heartwarming as can be and most importantly it’s hilarious. With its charm lying in its characters, The Birdcage is a fantastic film about love, acceptance, and the perfection of Robin Williams. You can watch The Birdcage by renting it on YouTube.
But I’m a Cheerleader
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Finally, a lesbian romcom. It’s what we all deserve really. Megan is the girl at school everyone wants to be. She’s a cheerleader, she’s popular, and she’s dating a football star. What more could you want? Well, in Megan’s case, she wanted to date girls. When her parents send her to a conversion therapy camp, she begins to truly find herself and love. Natasha Lyonne truly shines in this film, but honestly who’s surprised? While the film sounds a little dramatic, it’s actually a very sweet and funny movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Also, RuPaul plays a conversion therapist which is something everyone needs to see, so check it out. This film is available on Amazon Prime Video
Boy Meets Girl
(Image source: Washington post)
It was depressingly hard to find a trans love story which is fairly reflective of the representation that trans folks often receive from the media. However, after some searching, I found Boy Meets Girl. The story centers around a young woman named Ricky who wants to abandon her small town and move to New York. Things grow more complicated as we see her relationships with her friends change and a relationship with a new woman in town blossom. In full transparency, I think this movie has some technical issues when it comes to sound design and visuals. That being said it is tender, touching, and unexpected. I think it is a pretty solid queer love story that can satisfy your desire for some good trans representation. You can actually get this film on YouTube for the low price of $1.99
4th Man Out
(Image source: Hollywood Reporter)
This movie shines a light on one of the very realistic but often ignored struggle for queer people, which is coming out in your adult life. Far too often in media it is looked at as something that is done tearfully and simply in your teen years, but for many people, they go well into their adulthood before feeling comfortable discussing their sexuality with their loved ones. 4th Man Out centers around Adam’s changing life as he comes out as gay to his three extremely close, extremely bro-ish, best friends. It explores the dynamics of friendships between straight and gay men rather well, and, at the end of the day, it’s really charming and funny. Also Chord Overstreet from Glee is in it, and is anything more gay than a movie that ties back to Glee? 4th Man Out is available to stream on Netflix.
Love, Simon
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Come on, you had to expect this one. This film was a trailblazer in its own right having a major company putting into theaters all across the country, Love, Simon focuses on a young man named Simon and his journey through self-acceptance and desire for love. In a similar vein to But I’m a Cheerleader, this movie is just a classic high school love flick. I think that is good though because the generation of queer teenagers in high school right now deserve to see the same campy love stories that their straight peers get to see. It’s nothing groundbreaking in terms of story but genuinely sometimes you just want to watch something dumb and romantic. Love, Simon is easy listening in terms of queer love and would be an excellent movie to watch if you focus on something a little more wholesome than the world around us. Love, Simon is currently streaming for free if you have a Disney+ subscription, and is available on Amazon Prime for rent if you do not.
San Junipero
(Image Source: IMDB.com)
Okay listen, I know not everyone classifies this one as a movie, but it’s an hour long stand-alone story, it’s perfect, and it’s my list, so we’re going with it. San Junipero is equal parts mysterious and moving. It is the only movie on this list that brought me to genuine tears just from the emotion it creates. The story centers around Kelly and Yorkie, two women who meet in the ’80s and their relationship develops from there. Everything about this movie is beautiful: the costumes, the cinematography, the score, and most importantly, the relationship between the characters. San Junipero can be watched on Netflix.
Carol
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Carol is one of my favorite movies of all time and Cate Blanchett is literally the greatest actress of all time. The movie follows a young department store worker and aspiring photographer who begins a complex relationship with a rich mother going through a divorce. The film, which takes place in 1952, really delves into the difficulties and complex nature of being queer in the past. The movie is visually stunning. Director Todd Haynes and cinematographer Affonso Gonçalves deserve all the praise in the world for how gorgeous this movie was. It was shot on an ARRIFLEX 416 Camera with special lenses specifically to make it look sort of older, the high saturation on it makes it almost feel like you're watching a movie on old film. I can’t recommend this movie enough. It was sadly taken off of Netflix but can still be rented on Vudu.com