Boys on the Side
In Boys on the Side, the binaries of sexuality and race are problematically addressed through a "flirting" with the possibility of interracial friendship and lesbian love and through a "skirting" of the issues of homophobia and racism. Interracial friendship and lesbian love are dealt with on a superficial, experimental level via the character of Jane Deluca, an African American lesbian, in that neither of these characteristics are ever addressed beyond simple recognition. There is little to no insight into the struggles she faced as a member of her two minority groups, the extent and circumstances of her prior relationships, her upbringing/connection to family, etc.--although much more than a token character to merely provide contrast with Robin and Holly, Jane's uniqueness is never taken advantage of in a meaningful way--there are overt signs of sexual tension between Jane and Robin, but these are squandered by the film's odd handling of Robin's AIDS. Jane's race never becomes an issue for the trio of friends, so the treatment of interracial friendship is, in a way, both positive and empty (because it is never explicitly addressed). The issues of homophobia and racism are, in turn, ruthlessly avoided. Robin's mother is alarmed by Jane's African heritage and homosexual orientation, but the other characters never confront these opinions head-on. It's as if the film has a liberal viewpoint, but assumes that the audience will pick up the "dropped pieces" without assistance. The inclusion of AIDS in a seemingly heterosexual context is interesting considering the epidemic among gay men, but it is never connected to this serious problem at all--in essence, Boys on the Side strikes unnecessarily moralistic chords in the wrong places when it comes to race and sexuality and fails to explore the possibilities presented by its potentially wonderful themes.