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	...	Self
Peter Walker	...	The Bum
Gilbert Stafford	...	Man on Street
Gus Rogerson	...	Street Performer
Felicity Mason	...	Self - Dinner Hostess / Writer
Fran Lebowitz	...	Self - Writer
Guy Kettelhack	...	Self - Writer
John Hurt	...	Self - Actor
Richard Seiburth	...	Self - Professor
Hunter Madson	...	Self - Writer
Sting	...	Self - Singer
Michael Musto	...	Self - Gossip Columnist
Sally Jessy Raphael	...	Self - Talk Show Host (archive footage) (as Sally Jesse Raphael)
Shi Ringer	...	Self - Gay Activist
Tom Steele	...	Self - Publisher

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 | new york city | interview | eccentric | discussion | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Certificate:

Not Rated

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 The Horror Show (1989)

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Soundtracks

Fuck Martinez
Performed by 2 Live Crew

User Reviews

Great subject, messy execution

I went into the Berlinale Screening this year, without any prior knowledge of what the movie was about (or better of whom it was about). I didn't even know it was a documentary. Both things will be made pretty clear after the first minutes. And although some might feel appalled by the main protagonist here (or his sexuality), no one can say that this guy (woman?) wasn't entertaining.

When Bruce Springsteen dedicates a song to you, "An Englishman in New York", which is a fact that I also didn't know, before watching this film, then there must be something about you. As charismatic as he/she may be and counting the fact, that you won't be offended (although I can say, that I'm glad that there isn't anything too offensive shown in this documentary, which is a nice thing), there are still quite a few flaws.

The pacing is one thing, which also leads to the editing. Quite some scenes, get repeated, a few things/scenes seem redundant and look like their only purpose is to fill time, this character study, could be much better. Especially if you consider the fact, how controversial this "drag queen" once was ... Not a bad documentary, but a missed opportunity then

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

Box Office

Gross USA:

$7,867

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$7,867

Company Credits

Production Co:

Crisp City Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Color (DuArt)