“TIDY ENDINGS”— Why Has This Not Been Released on DVD?

Amos ♦ June 17, 2012 ♦ 2 Comments

“Tidy Endings”

 

Why Has This Not Been Released on DVD?

 

Amos Lassen

“Tidy Endings” is one of the early classics of LGBT cinema yet only a few people can see it these days simply because it is not available on DVD and I can’t seem to find out if or when it will be. However, if you can find it (any version), make sure you see it.

Marion (Stockard Channing) and Arthur (Harvey Fierstein) have something in common, Collin—Marion’s ex-husband and Arthur’s lover happen to be the same man. Collin died from AIDS but his memory still lives on and the pain of his death is everywhere. Now the two people he loved most in the world must deal with his death and their relationships. They turn to each other but not for consolation; rather they are targets of blame for Collin’s death. Arthur slings a barrage of insults at Marion and she fights back. Once again Collin is the common ground for the future of a friendship.

This is a wonderful film and Fierstein and Channing both turn in amazing performances. There are no false sentiments and the movie is really simply about a man who happens to be gay and falls in love with another man while still married to his wife. A divorce comes and the two men live together until Collin is lost to AIDS. Marion sells the apartment and the film is about what happens in the flat after Collin is buried and the time comes to take care of the apartment. But more than cleaning up the apartment, Arthur and Marion need to clean up their feelings. Arthur is a bitter, unfair and unkind person and he attacks Marion, who is quite sympathetic and remains so even during the property settlement. What happens is for you to find out.