Product: Beefcake [VHS] (1998)
Rating: 4.0
The Way It Was
In a style reminiscent of REDS, this affectionate film looks at the life and times of groundbreaking photographer Joe Mizer and his troubles with the law through reenactment, old footage, and recent talking head interviews. This approach may not work for those preferring a completely fictionalized treatment (as in THE PEOPLE VS LARRY FLYNT) or a straight (no pun intended) documentary since going back and forth may disrupt their involvement with the story. The filmmakers obviously had a ball recreating the period then slowly taking us into its many pitfalls (as in PLEASANTVILLE). Mostly though, this is a portrait of gay subterfuge in the face of bigotry, how seedy a closet can get, and how some, traumatized by persecution and intolerance refuse to grow with the changing times, choosing instead to remain forever closeted, convincing themselves to feel nostalgic about such stifling times. The DVD transfer is impeccable (though the old footage is left as found: scratched up - it works); it is sharp with eye popping color, very much like looking through a window. The extras consist of several of the original Mizer short subjects, perhaps the reason for that stiff Criterion type price tag.