This movie was very important to me back in the 1990s when I was coming out as a gay man, and well-adjusted, sane, relatable gay male characters in entertainment (who weren't a punchline or self-hating) were few and far between. The Sum of Us was groundbreaking. Seeing it again 25 years later, it still holds up as a very sweet film that has lots of heart. To its credit, this movie isn't about gay people or straight people...it's about people. It's about a father and son who share a bond that nothing can break. It's about forgiveness and second chances and rolling with the punches. It's about balancing love we seek with love we have. Unfortunately, some aspects of the filmmaking feel dated now (like breaking the fourth wall, which was edgy then but now seems awkward) and a few scenes that may have been comical or charming in 1994 are now a bit cringey. But overall, the sentiment and the message hold up just fine.
Review of The Sum of Us
