Resident Alien: Quentin Crisp in America

Resident Alien: Quentin Crisp in America (1988)

Sub-Genres - Biography, Gender Issues  |   Run Time - 90 min.  |   Countries - United States  |   MPAA Rating - NR
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Synopsis by John Voorhees

A charming portrait of Quentin Crisp, who has (very deliberately) become the closest thing this century has to an Oscar Wilde. Crisp moved to New York City at the age of 73 and has many devoted friends and admirers who sing his praises. Indeed, pop star Sting literally "sings" of Quentin in his hit "Englishman in New York." Other fans who make appearances in the film include John Hurt, Fran Lebowitz and director Paul Morrissey. Of course, not everyone loves Quentin, as we learn primarily in a segment from the Sally Jesse Raphael show. He is not only a frequent target of homophobic attacks but is described by one homosexual as a "gay Stepin Fetchit." Overall, though, this is certainly a sympathetic documentary which may even provoke a grudging admiration from the viewer.

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Keywords

big-city, English [nationality], flamboyant, homophobia, homosexual, life, pop-culture, gay-bashing