The Celluloid Closet

Lily Tomlin narrates this eye-opening and consciousness-raising documentary based on Vito Russo's landmark 1981 book. Clips from more than 100 films (and interviews with those who created or were influenced by them) vividly illustrate how movies taught straight people what to think about gays, and gay people what to think about themselves. Among the more provocative talking heads are: Gore Vidal revealing how Ben-Hur's gay subtext was hidden from a clueless Charlton Heston; Tom Hanks reflecting on how his likable screen image made his gay, AIDS-stricken character in Philadelphia less threatening to audiences, and Susan Sarandon pondering what would have happened if Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid had gone out with a kiss instead of a bang like Thelma and Louise. (K. Lee Benson)