Making Love (1982)

Director:

Arthur Hiller

Writers:

A. Scott Berg (story)
Barry Sandler (writer)

Release Date:

5 March 1982 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

A successful young L.A. doctor and his equally successful television-producer wife find their happily-ever-after...

Plot Keywords:

Gay Lead Character | Homosexual | Homosexuality | Coming Out | Gay Interest

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe.

Cast

Michael Ontkean	...	Zach Elliot
Kate Jackson	...	Claire Elliott
Harry Hamlin	...	Bart McGuire
Wendy Hiller	...	Winnie Bates
Arthur Hill	...	Henry
Nancy Olson	...	Christine
John Dukakis	...	Tim
Terry Kiser	...	Harrington
Dennis Howard	...	Larry
Asher Brauner	...	Ted
John Calvin	...	David
Gwen Arner	...	Alrene
Gary Swanson	...	Ken
Anne Haney	...	Lila (as Ann Harvey)
Stanley Kamel	...	Charlie

Runtime:

113 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (DeLuxe)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:18 | Finland:K-16 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

IndieProd Company Productions

Trivia:

Writer Barry Sandler has confirmed that much of this film is autobiographical; however he refuses to discuss the issue in any detail.

Quotes:

Claire: Crepe paper is a bitch to tear.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006)

Soundtrack:

It's Your Love

Way ahead of its time

MAKING LOVE was dismissed as a rather routine melodrama despite its "controversial" subject. This is a pity, for this film is years ahead of its time in the frank and non-judgmental approach it takes to same-sex love. The on-screen kiss between Michael Ontkean and Harry Hamlin was in some ways the "shot heard round the world;" although not sexually explicit, this movie has clear and frank lovemaking scenes between the two men. This has yet to be duplicated in a mainstream Hollywood film; eleven years after MAKING LOVE, Hollywood gave us PHILADELPHIA, a "groundbreaking" film in which the lovers don't even kiss! This is progress?

Unappreciated in its time, MAKING LOVE has held up surprisingly well. Yes, it is a rather routine romance; except for the gender-switch, there isn't much here that is new or unusual. Yet, oddly, this is exactly what makes this film so appealing. Homosexuality is not seen as a problem except where it coincidentally creates one; the love triangle is handled in almost exactly the same way it would be if the husband had an affair with a woman. The stars are attractive and sympathetic and all give extremely appealing and deeply felt performances. If you saw it in 1982, it's worth a second (even third) look. If you've never seen it, it's a treat.