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By
ETHAN CUHULINN
An absolutely top-notch film, Basil Dearden's 1962 "Victim" is a bold, audacious attempt to
confront homophobia head-on in a very thoughtful (and thought-provoking) manner. Incredibly, the film also works as a
mystery, it is never preachy and never simple minded.
I really cannot imagine how risky it must have been for both Dearden and his star Dirk Bogarde to make the film during a
time when in Britain gay man were both prosecuted and persecuted.
Bogarde is Melville Farr, an ambitious and respected London barrister whose future looks bright indeed. When a young gay
man commits suicide in jail, Farr discovers a blackmail ring that specializes in threatening prominent and closeted gay
men with public exposure -- during that period exposure did not only mean public humiliation but also a substantial
prison sentence.
When Farr in a act of defiance and integrity decides to take on the blackmailers, he's not only risking his own
reputation and marriage, but also threatens the careers and lives of all the gay men who would rather pay and remain
closeted.
Farr's own sexuality and situation are rather more complicated: He loves his wife, she loves him back, she knows
everything about him, he's not involved in a gay relationship, but...I will say not more since that's a central theme of
the film. I should note, however, that "Victim" is credited with challenging the British parliament to amending its
primitive laws against "homosexual acts."
"Victim" is presented in widescreen (1.66:1) and the DVD includes a perceptive interview with Bogarde conducted after
the film was released, as well as a trailer.
I highly recommend this film, even if you don't care that much about issues of social justice. As the cliché goes, it
will make you think and question. |
