Rock Hudson: Dark and Handsome Stranger (2010) Reviews

• A sad life

  spazzycat2010-10-16

  This is a sad, touching and sweet film about a sad, touching sweet man. He had a very unhappy childhood, and his mean father belittled him. He always wanted to be an actor and became, of course, very successful, but those times demanded that he wear 2 masks: himself and a bland, heterosexual Everyman. His agent persuaded him to change his name, a decision he always regretted as yet another way he lived a lie. It was interesting to see Elizabeth Taylor in the film too. A child actor, she also had a demanding childhood. She had many young, gay and otherwise marginalized friends. Also an animal lover, the love she is permeated with shone out. I felt glad that she was there for Roy. (Rock). Roy says much the same thing in the film: she loves everyone.

  More

• Hard to Find Documentary

  EdgarST2019-02-26

  Documentary about the life of the man who was the most popular actor in the United States for almost two decades, and who hid his homosexuality, with a routine structure very close to a television reportage or one of those "extras" in DVDs and Blu-Rays. However, there is affection in the approach to Rock Hudson's dramatic life, adding reflections on the role models of the 20th century, the cannibalistic film industry of Los Angeles, and the first years of the HIV plague, with prejudices and bad practices of health professionals that Hudson suffered. The film narrative is also helped by the graphic design that plays with gay icons from the 50s to the 70s, from comics, magazines and films of nude bodybuilders to disco singing group Village People; and by some interesting interviews offered by people who knew Hudson, particularly Salome Jens, Yanou Collart, Stockton Briggle and Mark Miller.

  More