The Boys in the Band: Something Personal (2020)

Intro
Released in 2020, "The Boys in the Band: Something Personal" is a compelling documentary that takes audiences behind the scenes of the groundbreaking play, "The Boys in the Band", composed by Mart Crowley. It presents a glimpse into an innovative part of LGBTQ+ history, tracing the journey of the play-turned-film adjustment and illuminating individual stories from the cast.

Main Content: Context, Creation, and Evolution of the Play
"The Boys in the Band: Something Personal" highlights the cultural significance of Crowley's original work, its revolutionary depiction of gay life at the end of the 1960s. The documentary unfolds the events that led Crowley to develop the play, the struggle he faced in discovering a manufacturer due to its questionable topic, and the massive success and impact it generated upon ultimately opening Off-Broadway in 1968.

The documentary goes on to detail the subsequent adjustments of Crowley's work, particularly the 1970 film variation directed by William Friedkin and the 2018 Broadway revival, which is brought to life by Ryan Murphy for Netflix in 2020. Both modes of adaptation stayed true to including an all-gay cast, continuing the initial intention behind the play of prominently including out stars.

Personal Narratives and Impact
Besides backtracking the journey of "The Boys in the Band", this short documentary looks into deeply personal stories. The 9 stars from the original Broadway production and the 2020 Netflix variation-- Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Andrew Rannells, Robin de Jesus, Brian Hutchison, Charlie Carver, Michael Benjamin Washington, and Tuc Watkins-- share their personal experiences of being queer in the entertainment industry.

Legacy and Importance of the Play
The movie illuminates why "The Boys in the Band" stays vital and relevant in the contemporary context, discussing the results that the play still has on society. It notes that while contemporary audiences might discover the narrative unpleasant due to its raw, unfiltered representation of internalized homophobia and self-hate, they should acknowledge it as a realistic portrayal of that era's painful experiences. It emphasizes the play's vital function in beginning dialogues about LGBTQ+ representation in media, triggering open conversations on queer themes and leading the way for more diverse narratives.

Conclusion
"The Boys in the Band: Something Personal" successfully reviews the tradition of "The Boys in the Band" as a poignant story that dared to be openly gay. Including interviews with the cast and creators, it provides a profound exploration of their private journeys as queer stars, their connection with the play, and the impact it had on altering the story around homosexuality in traditional media. The film acts as a homage to the long-lasting power of "The Boys in the Band", advising audiences of the struggles and hardships sustained by the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, memorializing a crucial minute in queer history, and emphasizing the significance of inclusivity and credibility within tales informed on screen and stage.

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