Before Reservoir Dogs, Billy Madison, Fargo, and Boardwalk Empire, Steve Buscemi starred in the 1986 film Parting Glances. This is the only film by Bill Sherwood, who passed away due to AIDS-related complications. Parting Glances takes a look into the urban gay life during the Ronald Reagan era and features Buscemi as Nick, a man who has AIDS.
The Plot
In the film, Nick’s ex-boyfriend Michael still spends a lot of time with him, despite having a new boyfriend. Despite being exes, Nick and Michael are still in love with each other and best friends. Michael not only has to contend with the fact that his new boyfriend Robert has to leave for a two-year work-related assignment in Africa, but that the man he still loves is ill.
The movie definitely touches upon how hard this is for Michael, but Buscemi’s character Nick is not mourning. Despite it being at the height of the AIDS crisis and being diagnosed with a disease that was very new at the time, Nick maintains his care-free attitude. It’s Michael who is panicking, wondering what life will be like once Nick is gone.
For anyone who has always enjoyed Buscemi as an actor, Parting Glances is a great film to watch if you’re wanting to catch some of his early work. Not only is Parting Glances a well-done independent film, but it takes a realistic look at the LGBT community in New York City at the time. The dialogue between each character is crafted well and the movie ends in a bittersweet way.
Rating: 3.8/5
In 2019, many might not know what it was like in the 80s during this time in human history. Parting Glances offers a window’s view of what the gay community was like and how AIDS affected people; both those who had it and their friends around them. Buscemi is an actor who many, on the internet; like to use in memes, but he is truly a talented person. And his early work should be viewed. And I always maintain that if you’re a fan of Bill Skarsgard, you’re essentially looking at a young Steve Buscemi.
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