A Dozen Great Films with Gay Lead Characters

As Oscar Wilde saw, Nature imitates Art, not the other way around. Thankfully, Human Nature now has for inspiration great films that offer us brilliant artistic vision:

 


1) Shortbus




2) Beautiful Thing

   

“ A feelgood movie about two lower-class boys who start to feel more for each other than friendship. Moving and funny, a classic!


3) Home at the End of the World



From the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "The Hours" comes a story that chronicles a dozen years in the lives of two best friends who couldn't be more different...

4) Wilde

     

The story of Oscar Wilde, genius, poet, playwright and the First Modern Man. The self-realization of... (118 mins.)

Director: Brian Gilbert

Stars: Stephen Fry, Jude Law, Vanessa Redgrave, Jennifer Ehle

Alexstam54 rated this .

“ I saw this movie in the cinema. After the movie ended the people staid on their seats... Stephen Fry is simply fantastic as Wilde, Jude Law is also good as Bosie. ” - Alexstam54

5) Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain (2005)

The story of a forbidden and secretive relationship between two cowboys and their lives over the years. (134 mins.)

Director: Ang Lee

Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Randy Quaid

“ One of the very best gay movies. And certainly not only made for a gay audience! Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal are great.

6) Love Songs

7)Summer Storm

Summer Storm (2004)

 

Tobi and Achim, the pride of the local crew club, have been the best of friends for years and are convinced... 

Director: Marco Kreuzpaintner

Stars: Robert Stadlober, Kostja Ullmann, Miriam Morgenstern, Jürgen Tonkel

“ Beautiful German movie about growing up and the homosexual feelings of one of the young friends who go on summercamp together. ”


8)Maurice

Maurice (1987)

  

Two male English school chums find themselves falling in love at Cambridge. To regain his place in society... (140 mins.)

Director: James Ivory

Stars: James Wilby, Rupert Graves, Hugh Grant, Denholm Elliott

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“ Touching movie about the love between two young men. One wants to live the gay life, the other (Hugh Grant) is too scared. The story is by E.M. Forster (I loved the book too!). ”
9) Cabaret



10)Mysterious Skin

Mysterious Skin (2004)

 

A teenage hustler and a young man obsessed with alien abductions cross paths, together discovering a horrible, liberating truth. (105 mins.)

Director: Gregg Araki

Stars: Brady Corbet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elisabeth Shue, Chase Ellison

Alexstam54 rated this .

“ In my opinion one of the best movies by Gus van Sant (next to 'Elephant' and 'My own private Idaho').
11) Milk

Milk (2008)

  

The story of Harvey Milk, and his struggles as an American gay activist who fought for gay rights and became California's first openly gay elected official. (128 mins.)

Director: Gus Van Sant

Stars: Sean Penn, Josh Brolin, Emile Hirsch, Diego Luna

“ The story of the life and death of activist Harvey Milk. Sean Penn has done a great job! ”


12) My Own Private Idaho

My Own Private Idaho (1991)

  

Two best friends living on the streets of Portland as hustlers embark on a journey of self discovery and find their relationship stumbling along the way. (104 mins.)

Director: Gus Van Sant

Stars: River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo, William Richert

“ Wonderful movie from openly gay director Gus van Sant, with Keanu Reeves and the late, great River Phoenix as two hustlers. ”

 13. My Beautiful Laundrette (1985)

 

An ambitious Asian Briton and his white lover strive for success and hope, when they open up a glamorous laundromat. (97 mins.)

Director: Stephen Frears

Stars: Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth, Daniel Day-Lewis, Gordon Warnecke

Alexstam54 rated this .

“ The first movie I saw with 'normal' gays. The atmosphere is very '80-s, Daniel Day Lewis is very sexy! A true classic by director Stephen Frears. ”
 14) Boy Culture         

Want more? Many of the above links come from:

Great gay movies & tv-series (click)

Enjoy!

Jack