Drama
United States of America
1985 is a black and white drama film directed by Yen Tan and released in 2018. The movie tells the story of Adrian, a closeted gay man who returns to his conservative Texas hometown during the Christmas holidays. Adrian has been living in New York City and working as an advertising executive, but he has been diagnosed with AIDS and has decided to return home and spend time with his family.
The movie takes place during the height of the AIDS epidemic, when many people were still ignorant and fearful of the disease. Adrian struggles to reveal his condition to his family, who are staunchly conservative and deeply religious. He is also haunted by memories of his past, including the death of his childhood friend Carly, who died of AIDS. Despite the challenges, Adrian tries to reconnect with his family and come to terms with his own mortality.
1985 is shot in black and white to evoke a sense of nostalgia for the era in which the movie takes place, and to create a mood of melancholy and introspection. The movie features strong performances from its cast, which includes Cory Michael Smith as Adrian, Virginia Madsen as his mother, and Michael Chiklis as his father. The film is a poignant exploration of family, memory, and the struggles of coming out in a conservative environment, and a powerful reminder of the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic on LGBTQ+ communities.
