Some of My Best Friends Are...

Some of My Best Friends Are… is a thought-provoking drama film released in 1971. Directed by Mervyn Nelson, the film boasted a host of noteworthy actors including Tom Bade, James Murdock, and Paul Blake. It takes a candid and raw look at the lives of a multiple people within the gay community during the Christmas Eve of 1969, offering the viewers an intimate and honest portrayal of their lives, struggles, and emotions.

Set in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, the movie unfolds in “The Blue Jay”, a gay bar serving as the central locale where the entwined stories of a group of friends unwind, mirroring the vibrant, eclectic, and oft-misunderstood homosexual community. It revolves around the people the bar services and the relationships they establish, beginning on the backdrop of Christmas Eve; a time of merriment, yearning, and reflection which only accentuates the characters' joys, fears, and struggles.

Tom Bade plays the role of Miss Untouchable, a sultry drag queen who is a regular at The Blue Jay with an indefatigable spirit. Bade's portrayal is compassionate and empathetic, capturing the essence of his character's resilience amid adversity. Miss Untouchable initiates explorations into themes of identity, self-expression, and acceptance both within society and one's self.

James Murdock, most notably known for his role in the TV series Rawhide, steps into the shoes of Terry, a robust yet amiable cowboy who is new in town. Being a fresh face in New York City, Terry is the perfect lens through which the complexity of characters at The Blue Jay is introduced, offering the perspective of an outsider growing to understand and become a part of this community.

Paul Blake plays the role of Lita Joyce, a fashion designer dealing with his own battles and insecurities. Blake excels in showcasing honesty and vulnerability as Lita. His story entails not just a mere narrative of a character but reflections of the human spirit dealing with issues of identity, acceptance, and love.

The story, while focusing on the characters' individual stories, also acts as a tableau, reflecting the broader LGBTQ community within Greenwich Village. It incorporates diverse personalities, including a war veteran, a depressed businessman, a questioning teenager, a vaudeville performer, and a hidden lesbian couple. Through these characters, the film explores varying shades of both the gay and human experience.

Some of My Best Friends Are… stands as a powerful tribute to friendship and solidarity among those who society considers different, at a time when acceptance was far from guaranteed. The movie's dialogue is poignant, the cinematography raw, and the performances forcefully honest, stirring up a myriad of emotions in the viewer. Yet, amid its exploration of the challenges and discrimination faced by its characters, the film also successfully showcases tenderness and carefree camaraderie, shedding light on the warmth of friendship that thrives in the face of adversity and judgment.

The subplots intersect and diverge, weaving together a story that is resonantly human and begins to chip away at the then deeply ingrained stereotypes about homosexuality. The film reflects the various facets of human relationships, romantic and platonic, their complexities, and nuances. It also explores the themes of fear, longing, dreams, desires, and the pursuit of personal acceptance.

Releasing just after the Stonewall riots of 1969, the movie plays an important role in both reflecting and challenging the social norms of the time. The film uses the characters' depth and their stories to push against the very stereotypes that they appear to portray, providing a profound commentary on the societal attitudes towards homosexuality in the early 1970s. It serves as a historical snapshot of a community fighting for recognition and acceptance, a theme that still resonates deeply today.

In conclusion, Some of My Best Friends Are… is not just a film about individuals in a New York gay bar on Christmas Eve. It is a raw, powerful, and unpretentious look at the human experience, as seen through the lens of a segment of society that was often misunderstood. It explores the depths of character, friendship, love, identity, and acceptance and remains a poignant and relevant watch even today.