Second film version of Mart Crowley’s gay-themed 1968 play in which a screenwriter (Jim Parsons) gives a birthday party at his New York apartment for a formidable frenemy (Zachary Quinto) that degenerates first into an insult fest and then into an emotional power struggle between the two. Along the way, the troubles besetting the lives of the ensemble of homosexual pals at the gathering are put on display both for the audience and for a heterosexual friend from the host’s college days (Brian Hutchison) who unexpectedly turns up amid the self-loathing-tinged festivities. In adapting his 2018 Broadway revival, director Joe Mantello highlights the conflicted relationship Parsons’ character maintains with his Catholic faith but also includes extraneous scenes that feel gratuitous and push an otherwise mature but acceptable film over the moral edge. Strong sexual content, including semi-graphic homosexual activity and full nudity, drug use, pervasive profane and crude talk, occasional rough language. The Catholic News Service classification is O — morally offensive. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
The Boys in the Band
