I gave it a 7.5 out of 10

An action-packed slog

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Here's a movie I used to crawl up in bed (or easy chair) to like a good book repeatedly when I was young. I loved Torch Song Trilogy then and probably 20 years since I've seen it last, it holds up beautifully today. But, there is one thing that baffles me.Why on Earth was Anne Bancroft passed over for the 1988 Oscar Awards? She was brilliant here and that's not to say the others, like the absolutely hilarious Harvey Fierstein or very good Matthew Broderick, weren't deserving…but she literally stole every scene and ate up her role, in a good way.Sure, she was like my own mother, in regards to her stance and some of her words – just not the enormously vocal and flamboyant flair, and she was wrong in her bigotry, but she was excellent in her disapproving Jewish mother role.Not maybe – this is why I loved this movie as a young adult and literally watched it once a month or two for a couple of years: I was just coming out when I first got my hands on this and I could relate and root for and cheer and weep and ride right along with Fierstein's creation: Arnold Beckoff. He was a drag queen, I was not, but that was the one difference. He had a bottomless heart, insecure enough to allow others to control his life, spoke with a straight edged deadpan wit, looked for love over lust and kept his head up inside even when he continuously got knocked down. I felt – and still do, I was him.This movie's beautiful from beginning to end. The drama parts, the longing, the loves, that is. The comedy, lines and reactions are as equally entertaining. The two blended so well and moved us alongside Arnold's life and tribulations wonderfully.Torch Song Trilogy tells the tale of "performer" (well, drag queen) Arnold, living alone, afraid of his mother, approved by his brother and seeking his way in NYC by trying to be his own person when he's rejected in a time frame (the 1970s) when gays were just that.First he meets Ed, who's confused, somewhat straight but Arnold falls head of heels over. Then when that ends, he meets Alan who is the epitome of true love and an all around great guy. Then, Arnold finally meets his mother, metaphorically speaking. I believe that is the trilogy of the title. Oh, and Arnold adopts a son in there, too, and that might be his third love of his life…Honestly, I never tried to find true or deeper meaning in this film than what it meant to me just as I was coming out. Now, in 2013, I'm long past that. I still feel his plight, still laugh at the jokes and absolute uproarious banter and smart lines.I'm not sure if this movie could be for a wide audience, but I wish it would. For the open-minded people, for the just coming out, for the Jewish people struggling with anything…this is a splendid movie to cherish.

Excellent casting. This story is beautifully written, the acting is powerful and there's so much heartfelt emotion and intelligence found here. Truly a bittersweet story of love, life, loss, self-respect and family. Anybody 'coming out' should see this. Anyone already out will adore this. Someone who doesn't know much about gays can learn something from this. The dead-pan humor will have you rolling, as will the campy tunes. The feeling of the characters and the storyline is so strong that it's hard to have dry eyes during some of the scenes. A movie like this one really touches home for many people. One of my own favorites of all time, it makes quite an impact, and I recommend everyone to get a copy.

I can't believe it took me this long to see this gem. What a beautifully made, heart-wrenching, gently humorous, brave and meaningful film. Harvey Fierstein takes the audience right to his heart -- and that's a wonderful place to go. His opening monologue is riveting -- masterfully written and performed with such natural grace that I felt he was speaking directly to me. The theme amazes me in its relevance to the present day debates over gay marriage -- and it was written pre-1988. All the actors shine, but Harvey, Matthew Broderick and Anne Bancroft stand out as true masters. Anne Bancroft's performance is unrelenting and touching at the same time. Torch Song Trilogy made me laugh; it made me cry; it made me angry, and it made me question what we North Americans stand for. What more can you ask from a film?

Watching Torch song trilogy on DVD was such an incredible experience. I had seen it as a teenager (being now 34). It had helped me get through my homosexuality. Showing ways and means of understanding life within a minority. Years after, I had found the original score which i have adored since then. To talk about the movie itself, the first half an hour was a bit old (apart from the second scene which is still so moving from the very start), but as soon as you get the hang of it, you can only let yourself be dragged by the amazing talent of the actors. The montage is perfect and so is everything in this eternal jewel. Watch it once and you'll want to watch it forever and ever.