206. Swan Song; movie review

 

SWAN SONG

Cert 12A

105 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, moderate sex references

His tousled blond wig flowed, he put the microphone to his extravagantly glossed lips and goaded: "Is that a moustache or have your eyebrows come down for a drink?"

This was Clown's Bar in Wigan - favourite haunt of a very good friend and well out of my comfort zone but I giggled at the joke, made at my expense.

The vibe was great and head drag queen led the revelry by standing on the bar and belting out Gloria Gaynor's "I Am What Am."

It was an unforgettable evening and haven't seen anything like it before or since.

I had not realised until now that I was witnessing a moment in history - when the flamboyant members of the gay community defiantly seized their moment.

This emboldened culture saw bars such as Clown's emerge throughout the western world and characters such as "Mister Pat" Pitsenbarger became icons.

Pat, in his fedora, feather boa and jump suit turned heads in Sandusky, Ohio and Swan Song is a tribute to him and others like him from director Todd Stephens.

Played by Udo Kier, Pat cuts a sad and lonely figure seeing out his latter days in a care home, dreaming about the deceased love of his life and the days when he was a hair stylist to the rich.

One of his clients (Linda Evans) has decreed in her will that he should make her presentable in her coffin before her funeral.

The request is made by her lawyer (Tom Bloom) and Pat immediately turns it down, lacking both the confidence or desire to return to the past.

But he is then inspired to change his mind and many memories are rekindled as he embarks on one last job.

It is clear that Swan Song is a labour of love for Stephens and his baby is handled with great care by Kier as Pat becomes a man rejuvenated by the return to his former persona.

It hadn't occurred to me that gay emancipation had meant an end to those camp bars of the 1980s and their stars.

But this appreciation of those times opened my eyes. Swan Song is a low-key movie and will not be everyone's cup of tea but, even though I wasn't part of the community it is targeting, I enjoyed it.

Reasons to watch: Great performance by Udo Kier

Reasons to avoid: Lots of talk and little action

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7.5/10

Did you know? The most famous camp performer ever, Liberace, did not admit to being gay and even sued those who suggested he was. Liberace died of an AIDS-related illness in 1987.

The final word. Todd Stephens: "Swan Song is dedicated to all the forgotten flaming florists and hairdressers who built the gay community and blazed the trail for the rights many of us cling to today. But, above all, for me this film is about learning that it’s never too late to live again."

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