Boys on the Side
Boys on the Side challenges existing social structure of female friendships by the types of women they put together in the film. It is noted in the beginning of the film by Jane that she and Robin do not have much in common. Especially at the time, interestingly enough a working class black lesbian becomes as close as friends can be with a middle class white straight woman. Not only are they different in just these on paper attributes, they also have very different personalities. Along the road they bond in a way that creates a new kind of family. Through the events that take place such as the incident with Nick and with Robin's growing illness, these certain characteristics that differentiated the women seem to disappear. They just become friends in light of other's suspicions of a lesbian being "just friends" with straight women. This film breaks those ideas and just shows a wonderfully touching story of friends and family. Even when there are disagreements and arguments, the friendships are never broken supporting this new kind of family. Their bonds override anyone's judgments (example the Prosecutor's questions in Holly's trial). They do what family does- stick by each other, show concern, and love unconditionally.