Boys on the Side
In “Boys on the Side” the strong female friendships that are established within the film challenges the existing social structure by not hiding their deep love for one another. Society attempts to label their bold relationship as “romantic” as demonstrated in the courtroom during Holly’s trial. Yet, the women do not try to hide their deep love for one another even when individuals in society deem them as lesbian. Also, their strong relationship which is established with their independence from men and their dependence on one another for companionship is questioned. The social structure views such a relationship as wrong because three women are capable of a life without men and are successful. The lawyer believed that Holly was forced to leave her husband as if brainwashed from the “lesbian” Jane. How could any woman want to leave a man even if he abuses you and hit the road with a lesbian and an AIDS victim? How crazy that is! They are questioned for their actions without men and ultimately succeed and bond. They each are from completely different backgrounds and social classes. Yet, three women come together to form an unbreakable bond and a family. They bond over the oppression that they each suffer in our patriarchal society and create an oasis away from it with each other. They created their own safety net within each other that they can confide in and trust. The new family system at the end of the film reinscribes “the normal” because family is based on love, not genders or minorities involved. They form their own family out of the true, undivided love for one another. They formed relationships on a deeper level that leaves the memory of Robin in the memory of Jane forever. It simply shows the effect of a loved individual on another in a relationship. Why question sexuality when the relationships established are strengthened through experiences, both spiritual and emotional.