Torch Song Trilogy Reviews

When Harvey Fierstein's "Torch Song Trilogy" premiered Off-Broadway in the early 1980s, it became a word-of-mouth sensation for its caustically humorous homosexual script and performances. The film stays close to the stage production, with a story set in New York City between 1971 and 1980 that follows the roller-coaster love life of a gravel-voiced female impersonator (Fierstein). Fierstein falls for both a handsome and tender young hunk (Brian Kerwin) and a 21-year-old fashion model (Matthew Broderick), tries to act as a father to a teenage boy (Eddie Castrodad), and all the way battles his domineering mother (Anne Bancroft). Fierstein gives a strong and winning performance, and much of his story is funny and heartfelt. Kerwin and Broderick are merely perfunctory in their roles, but Bancroft nearly single-handedly destroys the picture with her scenery chewing. She's Harvey's mother because she's a star and because the script says so, not because the audience believes her.