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They were together for over 30 years--there was a 30 year
difference in their ages--one was famous the other young and unknown--they were
an out gay couple in Hollywood at a time before it was acceptable.
I have known and know many gay couples who have been together
for 40 and 50 years but documentary films aren't made about them but the older
man here is Christopher Isherwood who had 2 very successful plays and movies
based on a series of short stories he wrote as a young man when living in
Berlin. The plays/movies were "I Am A Camera" and the musical"Cabaret" based on
the Sally Bowles character in the short story--he would become a successful
screenwriter and novelist plus writing many magazine and newspapers.
The younger man was Don Bachardy who was mentored and loved by
Chris who sent him to, and paid for, art school and Don eventually became a very
successful portrait artist including his renderings of many famous
people.
All aspects of their relationship are seen from Isherwood's
diaries, talking directly with Bachardy and talking to friends of theirs.
Besides the age difference there was a 'class' difference', a possible
father-son relationship yet a very much caring, loving, intimate and physical
relationship between them. When after they had been together a few years Don
wanted to explore the world of sexuality telling Chris that he had already had
those experiences and he wanted to experience them, too, which caused both of
them to look anew at their relationship which would last many years later when
Isherwood was dying of prostate cancer in 1986 and Bachardy beside him the whole
time and drawing pictures of his lover, including when he died. Though the
latter may sound morbid it is actually moving as Don pours all his love for
Chris in these portraits.
Bachardy, 74 at the time this documentary was made, in many ways
became a clone of Isherwood adopting his accent, manners and vocal tones. Aside
from showing some of Don's work doing portraits of young men there is no mention
of his personal and/or love life or lack of thereof in the past 22 years which
is a glaring mistake.
This is a documentary about a successful May-December
relationship that lasted over 30 years with all the ups and downs that can/will
happen over that length of time--it just happens to be a gay
relationship!
