gavin6942 The emergence and devastation of the AIDS epidemic is chronicled in the lives of several gay men living during the 1980s.I was not particularly aware of cinema in the 1980s, but my sense today (2017) is that this is an awfully important film. HIV and AIDS did not really become something mainstream films tackled until "Philadelphia", but this film was ahead of that curve being quite open and honest.It also deserves praise, not just for exploring the issue of HIV, but for presenting gay men without reducing them to some kind of stereotype. All too often it seems "gay movies" play up the camp factor. This is fine, of course, but tends to further the idea that the gay community and society as a whole are mutually exclusive, which is anything but the truth.

nyghtweaver This movie was made near enough on 20 years ago... And it is all the more powerful for it. It gives a glimpse into the early days when no one knew much about it or where it came from, or why some gay people got it and others didn't. And now it circles the globe... We know so much more, but the disease is there and the bodies continue to pile up, leaving behind those people who love and mourn for them. And that's really the crux of the movie. A family of friends who one by one dies, leaving behind loved ones, who themselves die. When all is said and done, only a handful are left, talking about wanting to be there when it ends... For a moment they envision the great party, where all the loved ones are returned to them and they celebrate and catch up. And for a second it makes you wonder are they dead too...? It was just one of a few heart wrenching scenes. Try not to cry when Bruce Davison (always fantastic) tells his years sick lover to let go. Oof! I rate any movie by its ability to make me cry. I don't cry easily, and so when I do it was some damn fine story telling. No one directly in my life has ever suffered from or died of AIDS. And yet I felt like it was all happening to me. If that isn't the mark of good story telling... well then I don't know what is. Give it a try, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Cristian I have heard about this movie, and i really wanted to see it. Today, i found it without any advice. And i watched. "Longtime Companion" is just amazing. Is beautiful strong enough drama. Real and well done."Longtime Companion" was one, for not called it the first, film that talk about AIDS and its terrible social impact. We have seen now works like "Philadelphia" and incredible "Angels in America", but what "Longtime Companion" do is totally different... and amazing. "Longtime Companion" is a drama that have you to see to believe it. Is seems that is totally calm, at first sight you think that. Then you feel a kind of pressure. And then you understand how hard is this topic."Longtime Companion" is about how big was the AIDS impact, and how terrible was the situation then. The movie introduce to us each character. Character which at first sight, you think that don't have any to each other... but you release minute by minute how important are each to other. Much gay films treat the AIDS as a central topic, but not much do it with certain real sense. "Longtime Companion" treat the AIDS topic for portrait a kind of new war, that we see that is not finished yet. But, its not only about that. The film talk about how important is the people that you love and loves you too. How difficult is support a kind of impact. Is a story about acceptation and friendship.The performances are incredible (Specially of Mary-Louise Parker... God, i love that women! ) and the direction is totally great. "Longtime Companion" is spectacular, because, after a definitely a sad story.... it gives a bitter hope. They said: "Is like the ending of the war" ... then imagine if nothing have happen, all the victims are fine... they release then that is happen... then one of them said: "I hope be there" . And that is the feeling. All want to be in the end of that damn war.*Sorry for the mistakes...well, if there any.

benson865 i bought the DVD and watched it the other night. cried like a baby. i remember the fairly gay crowd i saw it with originally in the movie theater. two scenes are especially going to stay in my mind forever. the ICU scene and the bedroom scene with Bruce Davison telling someone that its okay and let go. i can believe why he was nominated for an Oscar, i am amazed that he didn't win. does anyone remember who did??The film faithfully depicts an era of gay life that shocked some people and was applauded by others. its frankness was one of its best features. it was not a soap opera but a slice of real life, both joyous and tragic. as thousands still die every year, apparently a lot of people missed the point. it had no apologies and its many relationships: brother and sister, partner and partner, friend and friend are as vital today as then. gay in those days was based on sexual experimentation, it is unfortunate that the results were/are so deadly. i really suggest young people today find this film and pay attention. and if you haven't seen this, rent it/buy it/watch it. you won't soon forget it.