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Longtime Companion (1990)

Longtime Companion (1990)
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At the time of Longtime Companion's release in 1990, the devastating disease of AIDS was seen as a mysterious and deadly scourge, replete with rumors, lies, and panic. As the first narrative film to examine the AIDS epidemic, screenwriter Craig Lucas and director Norman René place the disease in an historical context, dramatizing the impact of the disease through time in a series of vignettes involving seven gay men. AIDS first made its presence felt surreptitiously, as an article in The New York Times reported on a rare cancer attacking gay men called Karposi's syndrome. Then the Village Voice began a series of in-depth articles concerning a "gay plague" which later became known as AIDS. The film follows the AIDS crisis through the lives of the seven main characters so that they are only aware of AIDS in the historical framework of each episode. The characters include former gay couple Willy (Campbell Scott) and John (Dermot Mulroney), first seen partying at a Fire Island club, who don't pay much attention to the mysterious article in The New York Times but become intimately effected by the disease. There is also Sean (Mark Lamos), a soap opera writer whose mind is slowly deteriorating because of the disease, and his supportive friend David (Bruce Davison). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Starring:
Bruce Davison, Campbell Scott, (more)
Director(s):
Norman Rene
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Longtime Companion

At the time of Longtime Companion's release in 1990, the devastating disease of AIDS was seen as a mysterious and deadly scourge, replete with rumors, lies, and panic. As the first narrative film to examine the AIDS epidemic, screenwriter Craig Lucas and director Norman René place the disease in an historical context, dramatizing the impact of the disease through time in a series of vignettes involving seven gay men. AIDS first made its presence felt surreptitiously, as an article in The New York Times reported on a rare cancer attacking gay men called Karposi's syndrome. Then the Village Voice began a series of in-depth articles concerning a "gay plague" which later became known as AIDS. The film follows the AIDS crisis through the lives of the seven main characters so that they are only aware of AIDS in the historical framework of each episode. The characters include former gay couple Willy (Campbell Scott) and John (Dermot Mulroney), first seen partying at a Fire Island club, who don't pay much attention to the mysterious article in The New York Times but become intimately effected by the disease. There is also Sean (Mark Lamos), a soap opera writer whose mind is slowly deteriorating because of the disease, and his supportive friend David (Bruce Davison). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
100 mins

Complete Cast of Longtime Companion


Director(s):
Norman Rene
Writer(s):
Craig Lucas
Producer(s):
Lydia Dean Pilcher, Stan Wlodkowski, Lidsay Law
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Nudity, Sexual Situations, Not For Children, Adult Situations)
Longtime Companion Awards:
  • 1990 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
  • 1990 - Independent Spirit Awards - Best Supporting Actor
  • 1989 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Supporting Actor
  • 1990 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Supporting Actor
  • 1989 - Sundance Film Festival - Audience Award
  • 1989 - Sundance Film Festival - Audience Award
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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    Member Reviews
    Read all (19)
     
    Aaron R.

    I appreciated this movie for what it "tried" to do... It depicted a time where HIV was more of a rumor, more of a mystery -- and definitely something aimed at the gay community. It depicted the various reactions of the gay community -- from the paranoid to the uncaring; and our eventual process of acceptance of this disease. While I wished for a more "intelligent" script, I admit that the cast did a fairly good job of depicting the various characters involved -- there WERE (and still are) people in our society who still react the same ways today towards HIV. However, this movie was BEFORE the time of life-extending medicines. I recommend this movie to people who need a reality check, or a wake-up call. AIDS is still here, and it's still real.

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    Gary D.

    A highly recommended film to see. It may be slighty dated but the story takes place in the beginning of awareness of AID & then the tragic, yet loving, ways to deal with it. The performances were out of this world, right on. Excellent acting by all but especially Bruce Davidson in a scene that deserved an academy award nomination at death bed of his companion. Campbell Scott is way underrated as he always gives a steller performance. This is heart breaking but insightful movie that should be seen by all who care about their fellow human beings.

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    Christa E.

    I enjoyed this movie. It was an interesting portrayal of the beginning of the AIDs epidemic in the US all through the 80's. This movie takes a look at the lives of a group of gay men during each of 10 years. The ending kind of ruined it though. It did give the movie a little bit of an "afternoon special" kind of message-y feel. But that's only a minute or two. Give this one a try!

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