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GAY SEX IN THE 70'S (Unrated) Release Date: November 4th, 2005 (NYC-Quad Cinema) by Lovett Productions. Directed by Joseph F. Lovett. BASIC PREMISE: A documentary about the promiscuous gay culture in New York City during the 70's. ENTERTAINMENT VALUE: The archival footage and photographs of several sexual acts throughout New York City during the 70’s come across as shocking yet utterly amazing. One of the many men who recall this overtly sexual period says that all you had to do was stare at somebody on the street or on the subway in order to arrange a sexual meeting. It’s interesting how the evolution of gay bath-house at a pier simply began by being a hang-out place. Soon enough, people were having sex everywhere in the bath-house. Even some of factory workers watched or joined the sexual acts. One individual being interviewed vividly recalls a dark truck at the pier served as location for a massive orgy with anonymous partners—although he never dared to enter it because, as he says, you were lucky to come out with an orgasm let alone your wallet. Other locations that promoted sex included St. Mark Baths and the well-known Studio 54. Not surprisingly, there was plenty of drug use as well. The spread of AIDS put an end to this sexually liberating time when putting on a condom was considered a joke. Director Joseph Lovett re-captures these historic moments in a very linear fashion that’s easy to follow. The balance of explicit images with personal interviews gives the film a smooth flow. The film doesn’t overstay its welcome with a brief running time of 72 minutes. Be sure stay through the end credits for more scenes. SPIRITUAL VALUE: For every beginning there’s an end. The phase of sexual promiscuity in public and private simply ended when AIDS was first discovered. Unfortunately, except for one scene when somebody recalls being miraculously spared from AIDS, this film fails to be moving. It doesn’t examine the period profoundly enough with too many facts and not enough analysis, i.e. from sociologists. However, the ending does make you think about how times have certainly changed since the 70’s. INSULT TO YOUR INTELLIGENCE: Not enough analysis/insight. NUMBER OF TIMES I CHECKED MY WATCH: 1 THE BOTTOM LINE: An engaging, informative, and explicit documentary that succeeds in being eye-opening but ultimately feels empty because it fails to be mind-opening. RECOMMENDED WAY TO WATCH: Movie Theater (2nd Run) Main Page Alphabetical Menu The "G" Menu ______________________________________________________ |
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