Synopsis
In Common Ground director Donna Deitch (Desert Hearts) uses three stories to explore attitudes toward homosexuality in the fictional small town of Homer, Connecticut, over a period of almost half a century.
“A Friend of Dorothy’s” tells the story of a girl who returns to Homer in 1954 after leaving the Navy. When it emerges that she was discharged after being arrested in a gay bar, she is ostracized by everyone except the owner of a local diner, a woman who has her own reasons for wanting to help Dorothy to escape.
“M. Roberts” is set in 1974, when a gay teacher (Steven Weber) has to decide whether to jeopardize his career in order to help a troubled pupil (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) who has been targeted by homophobic bullies.
Finally, in present-day Homer, “Andy & Amos” follows the preparations for a gay wedding. While protesters gather on the town commons, Amos’s father (Ed Asner) has to choose between long-held prejudices and his love for his son. Thanks to a Harvey Fierstein script that combines sexual politics with humor and believable characters, this is the most successful part of Common Ground. Ed Asner’s gradual realization that his son’s monogamous, long-term gay relationship is more conventional than most heterosexual marriages is deftly handled, achieving a balance between message and drama that the other stories lack.
The Cast and Crew
- Donna Deitch: Director
- Harvey Fierstein: Writer
- Terence McNally: Writer
- Jason Priestley as Billy
- Mimi Rogers as McPherson
- Eric Stoltz as Johnny Burroughs
- Steven Weber as Gil Roberts
- Beau Bridges as Father Leon
- Harvey Fierstein as Don
Links:
For Sale:
- Common Ground [VHS]
- Or Here (NTSC Version)
- Pre-Order it here (Release May 6th, 2002) (PAL Version)
Other Movies by Donna Deitch:
Other Movies by/with Harvey Fierstein
- Sissy Duckling, The (1999)(TV)(Writer)
- Tidy Endings (1988)(TV)(Writer)
- Torch Song Trilogy (1988)(Writer)
- Mulan (1998)(voice)
- Independence Day (1996)
- Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde (1995)
- Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Other Movies by Terence McNally
Watching Jason Priestly:
Watching Mimi Rogers:
- The Doors (1991)
- Trees Lounge (1996)
- Little White Lies (1996)
- Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997)
- Lost In Space (1998)
Watching Eric Stoltz:
- Memphis Belle (1990)
- Singles (1992)
- Pulp Fiction (1994)
- Little Women (1994)
- Jerry Maguire (1996)
- Rules of Attraction (2001)
Watching Steven Weber:
Watching Beau Bridges: