Four Must-Watch Lesser-Known Gay Films
3. Nate & Margaret (2012)
Nate & Margaret is the story of two best friends. Margaret is a 52-year-old waitress and aspiring stand-up comedian. Nate is a 19-year-old film student. The two form an unlikely friendship and spend all of their spare time together. Nate is gay but has never so much as had a boyfriend. When he begins dating James, it creates a rift in his relationship with Margaret.
The film is a character study of two lonely people. It’s a slower movie that doesn’t focus on the gay relationship but rather the impact that this relationship has on its titular characters. It succeeds because of the quality of its writing and the strength of its actors. Films like this might not pack theaters, but anyone looking for a simple and smart movie about friendship should be sure to check out Nate & Margaret.
4. Spa Night (2016)
Written and directed by Andrew Ahn, Spa Night tells the story of first-generation Korean-American, David. David is 18, closeted, and lives in Koreatown with his church-going parents. When their family restaurant fails, his parents rest all of their hopes and dreams of a better future on their son’s shoulders. They want him to get married and get into a good college. To help with the finances, David gets a job at a men’s spa where he finds that some of the clientele are hooking up in the shadows, causing him to eventually confront his feelings.
The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews, though many critics felt that David’s apathy towards everything happening around him was a missed opportunity and hurt the film. David’s passivity means the film lacks a lot of the melodrama and plotlines typically found in coming-out films. While this may turn off some viewers, those who can relate to David’s angsty apathy might just find Spa Night to be one of the most realistic depictions of growing up gay.
Recommended for you: 5 Must-Watch Early British LGBTQ+ Films
Do you have any further suggestions for underrated and lesser-known gay films? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more lists like this one.
Written by Cody J. Riebe
You can support Cody J. Riebe in the following places:
Twitter – @kodae_
Blog – First Choice for Last Place
