Resident Alien (1990)

At age 73, writer and melancholy master of the bon mot, Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), became an Englishman in New York. Rossiter's camera follows Crisp about the streets of Manhattan, where ... See full summary »

Director:

Jonathan Nossiter

Stars:

Quentin Crisp, Peter Walker, Gilbert Stafford

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Quentin Crisp	...	Himself
Peter Walker	...	The Bum
Gilbert Stafford	...	Man on Street
Gus Rogerson	...	Street Performer
Michaela Murphy	...	Street Performer
Felicity Mason	...	Herself - Dinner Hostess / Writer
Fran Lebowitz	...	Herself - Writer
Guy Kettelhack	...	Himself - Writer
John Hurt	...	Himself - Actor
Richard Seiburth	...	Himself - Professor
Hunter Madson	...	Himself - Writer
Sting	...	Himself - Singer
Michael Musto	...	Himself - Gossip Columnist
Sally Jessy Raphael	...	Herself - Talk Show Host (archive footage) (as Sally Jesse Raphael)
Shi Ringer	...	Herself - Gay Activist

Storyline

At age 73, writer and melancholy master of the bon mot, Quentin Crisp (1908-1999), became an Englishman in New York. Rossiter's camera follows Crisp about the streets of Manhattan, where Crisp seems very much at home, wearing eye shadow, appearing on a makeshift stage, making and repeating wry observations, talking to John Hurt (who played Crisp in the autobiographical TV movie, "The Naked Civil Servant"), and dining with friends. Others who know Crisp comment on him, on his life as an openly gay man with an effeminate manner, and on his place in the history of gays' social struggle. The portrait that emerges is of one wit and of suffering.

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Plot Keywords:

writer | gay interest | art | artist | interview | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 October 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Resident Alien: Quentin Crisp in America

Filming Locations:

Harlem, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crisp City Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (DuArt) Black and White

Did You Know?

Trivia

The word "fuck" is used 20 times in the film, but only in a rap song played on the soundtrack called "Fuck Martinez"

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Quotes

Dew ragged white street performer: Welcome to New York. If you can make it here, you'll fail anywhere else.

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Connections

References Un macho en la cárcel de mujeres (1986)

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Soundtracks

"Englishman In New York"
Written and Performed by Sting

User Reviews

Highly recommended for those who love wisdom!!

Quentin Crisp is a unique Godsend. His acidic wit and unique originality are foremost in this piece. The cinematic construction of this piece is brilliant! It is ever-flowing, constantly entertaining, and wonderfully colorful, with respect to the characters he shares his life with! The naturally occurring characters are major players throughout. Take a trip through the 70's and enjoy the rare, bent wisdom of the first "Queen" to emigrate to the States. Quentin Crisp is a rare, brilliant, marvellous human being! It is a pleasure to follow his daily travails and know him, somewhat internally, as we watch him move throughout NYC. Highly recommended to those who are Gay, as well as to those who adore wise, old folks who see the world in a wonderfully different way!