Damn that was beautiful

Damn that was beautiful

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Tea and Sympathy is not a romance, nor is it film about grooming or manipulation or seduction of any sort. This is a film about two perpetually dismissed, misunderstood, marginalized people and displacement of emotion. This is a film about love (and lack thereof), but not in the traditional sense. Did she overstep? Unfortunately yes. But did she also realize this and make a concerted effort to right her wrongs? YES! And did she still help Tom and see him and do more for him than anybody else in his life? YES! I rest my case and I will not hear any Laura Reynolds slander in this household.

But I digress. This is a beautiful film with so much to say about heteronormativity, discrimination, sexism, and homophobia, as well as friendship, understanding, kindness, and decency. It’s an expertly executed skirting of the Hays Code, and aesthetically it is just simply stunning — some of Minelli’s absolute best melodramatic work, and one I can’t wait to revisit and recommend. ☕️

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Tea and Sympathy is not a romance, nor is it film about grooming or manipulation or seduction of any sort. This is a film about two perpetually dismissed, misunderstood, marginalized people and displacement of emotion. This is a film about love (and lack thereof), but not in the traditional sense. Did she overstep? Unfortunately yes. But did she also realize this and make a concerted effort to right her wrongs? YES! And did she still help Tom and see him and do more for him than anybody else in his life? YES! I rest my case and I will not hear any Laura Reynolds slander in this household.

But I digress. This is a beautiful film with so much to say about heteronormativity, discrimination, sexism, and homophobia, as well as friendship, understanding, kindness, and decency. It’s an expertly executed skirting of the Hays Code, and aesthetically it is just simply stunning — some of Minelli’s absolute best melodramatic work, and one I can’t wait to revisit and recommend. ☕️

Sensitivity, conversation, passion for music, walking with a hop in your step - Gay

Having a separate bed from your wife and attending a yearly event where 17 yr old boys try to wrestle clothes off each other - Normal man stuff

Sure it’s overstated and held back by the Hays code, but in a way, had it been allowed to be even more explicit, I think it would be a weaker text. Theres a lot here besides gorgeous colors and killer outfits. I find the adult male characters most interesting in how recognizable they are. Been around these men all my life and seen how they’ve reacted to me and others like me. I’ve always understood the ways in which they’re telling on themselves…some of our saddest people. My freedom is their turmoil.

This is a three and a half star movie I’m giving four stars.

Sensitivity, conversation, passion for music, walking with a hop in your step - Gay

Having a separate bed from your wife and attending a yearly event where 17 yr old boys try to wrestle clothes off each other - Normal man stuff

Sure it’s overstated and held back by the Hays code, but in a way, had it been allowed to be even more explicit, I think it would be a weaker text. Theres a lot here besides gorgeous colors and killer outfits. I find the adult male characters most interesting in how recognizable they are. Been around these men all my life and seen how they’ve reacted to me and others like me. I’ve always understood the ways in which they’re telling on themselves…some of our saddest people. My freedom is their turmoil.

This is a three and a half star movie I’m giving four stars.

✨JaNEWary 2026: 21/31 ✨
Unseen Film from 1956
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Years from now, when you talk about this, and you will, be kind.*

Haven’t seen a movie rated so high before. This stands at 4.7 on Letterboxd.gov, that’s insane!
But I absolutely see why. Gorgeous CinemaScope. And Minnelli directs the hell out of this. A completely emphatic and raw performance from Kerr (both of them!)

Heartbreaking. And nothing has changed. Made me feel bad for men and that is extremely hard to do. And made me relate to a man, which just flat out sucks but hey, here we are.

Handled with such honesty that it made my soul ache, movies from this decade were SO intense but carefully handled. We have to get back to that.

Felt like I was front row center watching a play where actors leave their hearts displayed for all of us to see. And what’s more intimate than that feeling?

It just takes one person to see you to make you feel worthy of being alive. We all dream of finding that one person or, if you’re lucky, being that person. I’ve got neither right now but maybe someday I will.

Made me fall in love with movies again.

✨JaNEWary 2026: 21/31 ✨
Unseen Film from 1956
*
Years from now, when you talk about this, and you will, be kind.*

Haven’t seen a movie rated so high before. This stands at 4.7 on Letterboxd.gov, that’s insane!
But I absolutely see why. Gorgeous CinemaScope. And Minnelli directs the hell out of this. A completely emphatic and raw performance from Kerr (both of them!)

Heartbreaking. And nothing has changed. Made me feel bad for men and that is extremely hard to do. And made me relate to a man, which just flat out sucks but hey, here we are.

Handled with such honesty that it made my soul ache, movies from this decade were SO intense but carefully handled. We have to get back to that.

Felt like I was front row center watching a play where actors leave their hearts displayed for all of us to see. And what’s more intimate than that feeling?

It just takes one person to see you to make you feel worthy of being alive. We all dream of finding that one person or, if you’re lucky, being that person. I’ve got neither right now but maybe someday I will.

Made me fall in love with movies again.