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Rather than recapping our usual favorite lesbian-themed films like The Incredible Story of Two Girls in Love, Kissing Jessica Stein, and Desert Hearts, I thought I’d take a moment to pay tribute to those great films with more subtle lesbian undertones that are sometimes overlooked. And with summer in its dog days, there’s no better time than to use up those Neflix rentals and spend the weekend with your favorite girl, cat or glass of wine catching up with the lesbian-ish canon of movies.
1. Fried Green Tomatoes
If you don’t fall in love with Idgie (Mary Stuart Masterson) and Ruth (Mary Louise Parker) by the end of this movie, you have no soul. Even though we aren’t blatantly told that the two of them are in a relationship – in the movie anyway, in the book it’s clear --their undying commitment and love for each other is apparent in every scene they share. And although they did not see eye to eye in the very beginning, Idgie charmed the hell out of Ruth with her bee-charming ways and knack for getting into trouble. Idgie even rescued Ruth out of the arms of her abusive husband, Frank Bennett – threatening to kill him if he ever touched her again. Soon enough, the Whistle Stop Café was born, and these two became the talk of their tiny Georgia town, and found their way into the hearts of lesbians everywhere.
2. The Color Purple
Although their affair is not as pronounced in the movie as it is in the book, sassy Shug (Margaret Avery) and subdued Celie (Whoopi Goldberg) have a short but meaningful love affair. Shug comes into Celie’s life like a burst of light and a breath of fresh air, helping her find her smile, dressing her up and boosting her self confidence, and giving her her first lesson in kissing. Shug breathes life back into Celie once and for all and afterwards, there is no turning back for her.
3. Cruel Intentions
Not just a staple for teenagers, this tale of deception and betrayal holds one of the juiciest scenes to ever grace the screen. The setting: a quaint park, complete with a picnic. Sarah Michelle Gellar teaches goody-two-shoes Selma Blair how to kiss, and informs her of just what being a woman is really about. And by that, I mean she gives her a lesson in kissing. Not to mention there’s a fantasy sequence involving a horse and an older woman!
CRUEL INTENTIONS - Official Trailer - Back in Theaters for the 20th Anniversarywww.youtube.com
4. The Hours
While it’s not the most uplifting of movies, this film depicts a bevy of lesbian facets, including Meryl Streep playing a lesbian (Allison Janney plays her partner), Julianne Moore sharing a kiss with Toni Collette, and Nicole Kidman portraying a saddened Virginia Woolf, who’s works included a number of lesbian themes in her work. Dripping with Academy Award winning actresses and eye candy like Claire Danes as Meryl’s daughter and three-era storyline that could make even Hillary Clinton cry, this is a movie for you.
The Hours | Official Trailer (HD) – Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore | MIRAMAXwww.youtube.com
5. Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Scarlett Johansson! Penelpoe Cruz! Woody Allen is often hit or miss for me but nothing is greater than the dark room scene betwixt those two stunning actresses. The best part of their chemistry is that the two absolutely hate each other at first. Penelope throws plates, screams in Spanish, and shoots the death stare at Scarlett’s hapless American every other second. Somehow, brooding Javier Bardem convinces the two to share their love with him, and a beautiful, utterly complicated and hectic love story ensues.
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA - Trailer - Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz & Javier Bardemwww.youtube.com
