|
Text Size: A A A
Chris & Don: A Love StoryTina Mascara and Guido Santis Chris & Don: A Love Story is a charming, illuminating portrait of the complex and storied queer romanceone lasting three decadesbetween literary icon Christopher Isherwood and artist Don Bachardy, who met on a Santa Monica beach in 1952, when Bachardy was a teenager and Isherwood already 30 years his senior. Quilted from black-and-white home-movie clips, animated sequences that bring to life the duos correspondence and pet names, and original footage of the now-elderly Bachardy going about his daily routine, Chris & Don uses standard documentary-film techniques to celebrate three entitiesIsherwood, Bachardy, and their relationshipthat flaunted all the rules. There was an extraordinary vulnerability in their union, matched only by an extraordinary faith in their bond. The relationship contained elements of the parent/child hierarchy (with the roles flip-flopping back and forth over time), but it was also an erotic quest that expanded to include other loversespecially as Bachardy matured into his own manthen retreated back to monogamous form again (at least emotionally). And as Bachardy grew into his own creativity, theirs became a conversation between artists, too. Gays and straights can glean some lessons from Isherwood and Bachardys example: Make your own rules, set your own terms for connection, and be willing to let them evolve, even as you and your partner (hopefully) do.
Show Comments (0)
Write Your Comment*indicates required fields. Please enable browser cookies before filling out this form. All reader comments are subject to our Terms of Use. By clicking Add Comment, you acknowledge that you have reviewed and agree to these Terms. Comments may take a few minutes to process and appear on the site. Please do not click the "Add Comment" button again while your comment is being added. Most …
SF Weekly on Digg© 2010 SF Weekly, LP, All rights reserved.
|