Drama
United States of America
The Boys in the Band is a 2020 American drama film directed by Joe Mantello and adapted from the 1968 play of the same name by Mart Crowley. The film is set in 1968 New York and follows a group of seven gay friends who gather for a birthday party. As the night progresses, the guests become increasingly drunk and the party turns into a series of emotional confrontations where unspoken feelings and buried truths are brought to the surface.
Harold, the guest of honor, is surprised by the unexpected arrival of Michael's straight college roommate, Alan. The arrival of Alan triggers a series of events that force the group to confront their own prejudices and fears. As the night wears on, tensions rise, and the group is forced to confront their own inner demons and insecurities.
The Boys in the Band explores themes of self-oppression, shame, and internalized homophobia in the gay community. The movie features an all-star cast of openly gay actors, including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, and Charlie Carver.
First staged in 1968, The Boys in the Band is considered a landmark play that helped to push LGBTQ+ issues into the mainstream. The movie adaptation, which was released on Netflix in September 2020, received critical acclaim for its powerful performances, emotional depth, and faithful adaptation of the source material.
