Common Ground (2000) (TV)

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Director:

Donna Deitch

Writers (WGA):

Paula Vogel (written by) (segment)
Terrence McNally (written by) (segment)

Release Date:

29 January 2000 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

This movie contains three short stories dealing with the theme of homosexuality. In "A Friend of Dorothy"...

Plot Keywords:

1970s | Homosexuality | Navy | 1950s | Lesbianism

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Erik Knudsen	...	Young Johnny Burroughs
Brittany Murphy	...	Dorothy Nelson
Jason Priestley	...	Billy
Margot Kidder	...	Mrs. Nelson
Helen Shaver	...	Janet
Mimi Rogers	...	McPherson
David Hemblen	...	Chester Burroughs
Aron Tager	...	Mr. Manos
Paulino Nunes	...	Navy Recruiter
Brian Kerwin	...	Chuck Dawson
Shirley Josephs	...	Mrs. Manos
Ann Holloway	...	Mrs. Burgess
Patti Medwid	...	Mrs. Dawson
Sean O'Neill	...	Barber Shop Boy
Andrew Butcher	...	Barber Shop Boy

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexuality and violence.

Runtime:

105 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Germany:12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Milton, Ontario, Canada

Company:

Showtime Networks

Quotes:

Justine: Well, said the politically correct lesbian caterer to the embarrassingly stereotypical but I suppose necessary fag florist, can we discuss this after we put the cake down?

Movie Connections:

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Five Decades of Different Approaches by the Society to Homosexuality Discussed in a Serious and Great Movie

This movie is composed of three short stories, all of them about homosexuality and in the small city of Homer. The first on passes in 1954, when a navy officer (the great actress Brittany Murphy) returns to Homer after quitting Navy. When the locals find out that indeed she was expelled from the Navy because of sexual deviation (i.e., lesbianism), she is discriminated and rejected by them. The second one takes place in 1974, and is about a teacher of French, gay not assumed aiming to be the principal of his school, and his best student, who is not secure of his sexual identity. The last one is in 2000 and is about a gay wedding between two successful men. When I watch a movie, I never read anything about it, because I want to have my own opinion. This film was a great surprise for me: its proposal is to show and discuss the prejudice of the society (who shares the common ground) against homosexuals and it is very well presented. The screenplay, performances and direction are superb, but I really would like to highlight the first short story: Brittany Murphy is really a great actress and has an outstanding performance. My vote is eight.