Rickpw

This is a very interesting and stylish movie, unlike any other gay themed movie I know. It's East German, made just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. The paranoia, seriousness and drabness of East Berlin is a palpable atmosphere, and the illicit illegality of homosexuality there at the time. There are echoes of an expressionistic Berlin cabaret tradition: the exaggeration in the dance club scenes, and the song in the experimental theater/concert scene. The angst rings true. The atonality of some of the music in the soundtrack adds to the angst. The director obviously sees something "atonal" about these young men in love, but maybe it reflects the cultural context rather than disapproval? The quiet conversation scenes without scoring seem a little like Bergman in style.

I think it would be a mistake to view the self-loathing of the gay men in this movie, or the main character's mother's sad disappointment over her son's sexuality, with American eyes of the 21st Century, or those of the much freer Europe of current times. And even today there are still plenty of paranoid, secretive young gay men around, even in progressive countries.

If all movies (yes, movies, a perfectly respetable word) were as good as this one, I would spend all my time watching movies and get nothing whatsoever done. I've seen Howards End probably closing in on 10 times now. It is one of the only cases I can think of where the movie is better than the book on which it is based. These movie characters stay with you, and have a life of their own, like great characters in fiction. After reading the thread of comments about this movie, all I can say is that there is no accounting for the taste of some people. How anyone could think that Howards End is boring and without merit is beyond me. All I can say is that I hope I never meet those people who think it such.

I agree that the casting of different actors as Michael, Mona, Brian (especially Brian), Mrs. Halcyon, Dor'thea, Emma is a jolt. However, it's a done deal, so get over it. All in all, I'd say this second set is as enjoyable as the first, and moves more quickly, with as many over the top surprises. I read the book after I saw the show, so I was howling at the TV in surprise as the big mystery about Burke's amnesia played out with the most hilarious spin on a cult anyone could come up with. I can't think of another TV mini-series that is this fun. And a note for fellow gay men: this is required viewing. People who watch light entertainment and treat it too seriously... well, they have a perspective that I think is misplaced.