If you know nothing about Rock Hudson's gay history, it seems very easy to criticize this excellent documentary from HBO for covering very little about Hudson as a man, or more of his career. But, if you know even a little about Hudson, the title itself should give away what you're going to see.
Hollywood, though certainly populated by more than a few gay people was extremely homophobic in the 1950s when Rock Hudson became a leading man. In many ways, this continues today, more than 70 years later. People like Rock Hudson HAD to be a "certain way" both on the screen and off. I've heard it explained that "if it plays in Peoria," then it's OK. A gay leading man, even one as handsome and talented as Hudson, would never have played in Peoria. That is, at its heart, what this documentary is about.
What I found most compelling is that most narration is kept off-screen, and what you see on-screen are clips and pictures, and news articles, all throughout. It's an interesting way to do a documentary and it didn't feel forced, but very much in line with what you'd want to see to keep the story focused. For example, at one point, we hear some interview material from Linda Evans, who played against Hudson in one of, if not his last, role on TV's "Dynasty." Accompanying Evans' narration are pictures and footage from the time that Hudson appeared on the show. So, instead of concentrating on what Linda Evans may look like now, as opposed to what she looked like in 1984, you only concentrate on her words talking about that time. Distractions are minimal, which makes the documentary that much more powerful.
In my view this is a perfect documentary of the life that Rock Hudson was forced to endure to be a star. It was an especially unforgiving environment for an actor who was gay or lesbian. In reality, not much has changed in that respect. There are still several gay actors whose livelihood depends on them remaining closeted. Those who have come out are relegated to smaller roles on TV, or less. There are still no movie stars who have come out as gay and been accepted as "box office" by mainstream movie-goers. This documentary is a solid 10. Highly recommended.
Hollywood, though certainly populated by more than a few gay people was extremely homophobic in the 1950s when Rock Hudson became a leading man. In many ways, this continues today, more than 70 years later. People like Rock Hudson HAD to be a "certain way" both on the screen and off. I've heard it explained that "if it plays in Peoria," then it's OK. A gay leading man, even one as handsome and talented as Hudson, would never have played in Peoria. That is, at its heart, what this documentary is about.
What I found most compelling is that most narration is kept off-screen, and what you see on-screen are clips and pictures, and news articles, all throughout. It's an interesting way to do a documentary and it didn't feel forced, but very much in line with what you'd want to see to keep the story focused. For example, at one point, we hear some interview material from Linda Evans, who played against Hudson in one of, if not his last, role on TV's "Dynasty." Accompanying Evans' narration are pictures and footage from the time that Hudson appeared on the show. So, instead of concentrating on what Linda Evans may look like now, as opposed to what she looked like in 1984, you only concentrate on her words talking about that time. Distractions are minimal, which makes the documentary that much more powerful.
In my view this is a perfect documentary of the life that Rock Hudson was forced to endure to be a star. It was an especially unforgiving environment for an actor who was gay or lesbian. In reality, not much has changed in that respect. There are still several gay actors whose livelihood depends on them remaining closeted. Those who have come out are relegated to smaller roles on TV, or less. There are still no movie stars who have come out as gay and been accepted as "box office" by mainstream movie-goers. This documentary is a solid 10. Highly recommended.