Swan Song

A very touching film regardless of it's gay theme. That said, it's the gay theme that makes this film truly special.

This lovely slice of love film documents the life of a member of "the lost generation" of gay men, most of whom died during the AIDS crisis. Very few are left. And very few have had their lives dramatized in such a touching way.

This film also tells a fascinating story, in a very authentic way, of how a "flamboyant" gay man lived-or moreover "survived"- in a small American southern town during a time a few decades ago now when it was NOT okay at all to be gay, especially if your personality just so big than you could not hide your fabulous gayness no matter how much you tried.

Such men often had no choice other than to pursue one of a few select careers (florist, hairdresser, waiter, mortician, etc.) that society deemed "acceptable" for gay men, assuming you didn't announce your gayness to most people These jobs were often the ONLY choice for such gay men.

That said, if you could actually hide your homosexuality enough in a convincing way, you could pursue a other more mainstream career, but if you did, such careers were often cut short if you were discovered or "outed." And to add insult to injury, these outed men would not only lose their jobs, but they would often.face criminal charges, go to prison, and be shunned, their lives now ruined.

Most of these brave men (both in or out of the closet during these times) are now part of history, many tragically eventually dying in the 80s and early 90s from HIV-related illnesses.

Very few of this "lost generation" of gay men survive, and those that do probably still think no one would be interested in their story. How wrong they are. This movie proves that point.

Gratefully, we have arrived at a time that the public, and especially younger gay men, now actually want...and need...to hear these stories.

This film competently portrays one such story-a story of fabulousness but also of love and loss and the realities of living in those homophobic times, especially when AIDS created even more fear and distain for the gay community, especially in small town America.

This story is an important one, and an enjoyable and meaningful film to watch too. It has its sad moments, but also is an uplifting and inspiring story, a journey of this one amazing unapologetic gay citizen of a small town from a few decades "back in the day.".

I give it a bug 2 thumbs up. 👍🏼 👍🏼!

Swan Song (II) (2021) was written and directed by Todd Stephens. It's a narrative film, but the protagonist, Pat Pitsenbarger was a well-known flamboyant gay hairdresser in Sandusky. When director Stephens was young, he knew Pitsenbarger. Also, Stephens gathered anecdotes about Pitsenbarger from other people who had known him.

Pitsenbarger is portrayed by Udo Kier, who is a brilliant actor. The movie rises or falls on the talent of the protagonist, and in this case it rises.

Pitsenbarger has retired from hairdressing, but he has been called from retirement to dress the hair of a wealthy woman who has died.

This is, indeed, a road movie, but the road leads from Pitsenbarger's nursing home to the funeral home, both of which are in Sandusky. The plot consists of his encounters as he walks out of the facility and heads towards the funeral home.

This may sound like a pretty feeble premise, but it's just the opposite. The movie was overlooked when it was released. In fact, I'm just the second person to review it. That's too bad, because it's really good film. The movie has an excellent IMDb rating of 7.6. However, that's based on the ratings of just 44 IMDb members. I though it was much better than that, and rated it 9.

P. S. See if you can recognize the dead woman, named Rita Parker Sloan. (She appears in flashbacks and in Pitsenbarger's memories.) She's almost 80 years old, and she still looks great.

I really loved this movie. I rarely watch any GL movie, but today i just happened to click on this movie and i shed tears at the end. Thank Mr Stephens. The movie has brought me back to many many many memories. I have gone through the AIDS crisis where many of my friends had died. We are the survivor and in death or near death we start forgiving. Udo Kier.is really really a good actor. I love Jennifer Coolidge. And Linda Evans all portrayed how old age is like and i am getting to be in the twilight of my age and i feel for all of them walking on the same steps. Again, my life started have its meaning after watching this movie. And I need to thank all of the people who made this movie possible. Thanks!

It took 13 years but Todd Stephens finally return as a director with Swan Song. And personally, I think this is his best so far. Mainly because of the always charismatic Udo Kier who was able to defy the sometimes campy yet melancholic Stephens' narrative. While the film is sorely too subdued or moody for its own good, but at least it still has room for some moving and emotional moments.

Just saw Swan Song, and I was totally taken with Udo Kier's performance as Pat. He is a retired hairdresser and gay cabaret performer who lives in a nursing home. When he is offered 25K to do the hair & makeup on a deceased friend ( Linda Evans); he initially refuses . But he then leaves the home to do the job. We find out why he at first refused to help, and his story unfolds as he walks through the streets of Sandusky, Ohio. He meets old and new friends and each plays a part in telling his story.

Great supporting cast with Jennifer Coolidge, Michael Urie and even Linda Evans in a brief appearance.

A lovely movie about growing old as a gay man, and the lives that were lived back in the days of bars and drag shows, and how gay life has evolved and changed. And how one man , dubbed the Liberace of Sandusky found out how many lives he actually touched.