The Boys in the Band Review

Credit: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10199914/mediaviewer/rm1803460865

After all these musicals, I feel good to get back to writing about a play; or more accurate, a piece based on a play. Writer and producer extraordinaire Ryan Murphy has had two projects released on Netflix recently: Ratched (not for me), and today's subject The Boys in the Band, based on the play by the late Mart Crowley (who died in March and for whom this is dedicated to). 

The play explores gay life in 1968 New York. Seven gay friends, plus a surprise guest gather at bachelor Michael's house for a birthday party that ends up revealing buried and unspoken truths after a simple-sounding party game.

A little history before we delve into the Netflix adaptation. The original play was a big risk for everyone involved as at that time, it was still illegal to be gay in the States (!), and no-one had ever seen a variety of gay men portrayed they are in this before. It was revived in 2018 on Broadway with an all-gay cast of successful names: including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto, Andrew Rannels and Robin de Jesús, all of whom return for this screen adaptation along with its director Joe Mantello. The production won the 2018 Best Revival Tony, and garnered another nomination for de Jesús. 

It's no wonder this cast were brought back because the way that everyone brings the masterful writing to life, and how they portray these characters. Everyone is different and not necessarily a cookie cutter of what people assume gay men are like. Speaking of the writing, it is incredibly sharp and witty with some absolute corkers of one-liners. 

But it's not all quips and funny insults. The tone changes dramatically in the second act. Yes before then there was a loud sass fest, but once they're forced inside and the game starts, Crowley's writing peels the layers off these characters one by one. In turn, each character gets a chance to shine, as they are tested and pushed to varying results. I won't spoil it much further so you can see these surprises for yourself. 

If you are interested in LGBTQ stories and history, or want a good drama to get your teeth into, then I would 100% recommend this one. I don't want to give to much of it away though. 

After the film, you will be treated to a half hour special called The Boys in the Band Something Personal, which delves into the history of the play with Crowley and the friends he based these characters off. One of whom was a dancer who Barbra Streisand insisted star alongside her in the dance sequences for both films of Hello Dolly and Funny Girl!

It's extremely interesting and definitely worth a watch. 

This gives me more hope for Murphy's adaptation of The Prom which is set to be released at the end of the year. Let's see what happens.