Excellent, superb film - in its genre

Etoile

I absolutely love this movie.  It certainly was created for gay men, but as a lesbian, I feel a kinship with other gay people, and I believe this is an excellent movie.  The depiction of female impersonators is genuine, and doesn't give the false glamourpuss view that probably causes many outsiders to think all drag queens are just like RuPaul (nothing against her, she's a diva, but not everyone has so much money!).  The portrayal of a relationship involving one gay person and one bisexual person is also beautifully realistic.  Ann Bancroft's performance as the Ma is stunning.  I believe this movie would also appeal to open-minded heterosexuals who may not have too much involvement with our culture, as it depicts a grittier side of life than the commonly-seen rich gay boy lifestyle.  (Movie viewers with an eye toward the cinematography of films will also enjoy the artistry presented here.)

score /10

Etoile 15 March 1999

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0263129/