(by 9 people)
Lesbian Movies (and Anne of Green Gables) Turned Me Gay
In concert with my efforts to create a list of fine lesbian fiction, my partner in crime suggested I also create a list of fine lesbian films. Genius! After all, it was while viewing When Night is Falling (in the theatre - with my MOTHER) that I finally came to the realization that I, like straight-laced Christian college professor Camille, was a francophone. Ha ha - just kidding. Although I do enjoy a little French. If you know what I mean. And I think that you do.
I've seen some really lovely lesbian films in my time. I've also seen some that blow. I am listing them all. Just so you know, I am certainly partial to films that end, if not happily, then at least with possibilities. Movies in which the lesbians die needlessly at the end will be treated harshly.
First - the Corsets!
God, how I love the BBC.
Tipping the Velvet
The "wacky" music hall soundtrack in this film chaps my ass in places, but otherwise, I enjoy it immensely. Great story and some hot scenes.
Amazon Price: $23.99 (as of 12/02/2008) 
Fingersmith
All moody and gothic, this one's heavier on plot than boobs. But what a plot it is.
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
The Canadians
Cold Country - Hot Action
When Night Is Falling
This film had a profound "Hey, I'm gay!" effect on me, so I feel that may have clouded my judgment slightly. But I think it's a gorgeous, slightly magical film, well-acted and shot and I own the soundtrack. Also, the "under the trapeze" scene. Also, Tracy Wright and Don McKellar make me howl.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Fire
The fire in the movie is pretty quiet - like a riot - but the portrayal of a forbidden relationship in a repressive society is, in itself, pretty revolutionary. Also, it doesn't end in stoning. So, you know . . . yay!
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Better Than Chocolate
I remember cringing at first while watching this movie, because earnestness bothers me. But as it went on, even though the earnestness didn't really fade, I enjoyed it more and more. The two leads are very cute and again - hot scenes. And Ann-Marie MacDonald is hilarious.
Amazon Price: $10.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Cute and Funny
Sure, there are flaws! But I liked these.
D.E.B.S. (Special Edition)
I hear the "short" version of this was better than the feature length and it certainly isn't as slick or funny as I'd like. But good effort and I enjoy the camp send-up of Charlie's Angels-type squads.
Amazon Price: $8.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
But I'm a Cheerleader
Yeah, I love this one. So over the top and lovely.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Saving Face
I saw this at the film festival and thought it was adorable. I don't own this one, but I SHOULD.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
It's in the Water
I had my doubts about this indy effort when my girlfriend brought it home, but we thought that overall, it was pretty cute and well worth an evening.
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Mango Kiss
We just saw this recently and thought the polyamory/role playing stuff was by turns interesting and a little gaggy. But overall it was a cute, funny movie with cute people and a fine rental experience.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Cute and Funny Continued
When one module isn't enough
Imagine Me & You
The Brits - they make everything funnier. I found the script a little thin and predictable, but everyone was so pretty and pithy! Very sweet.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
The Classics
Apparently everyone had seen these but me.
Desert Hearts
I have to say that if I had seen this film in my tender youth, I would have swooned at finally seeing a lesbian relationship on film. As an adult, there was less swooning and more giggling. But still worth the watchin'.
Amazon Price: (as of 12/02/2008)
Personal Best
I guess this isn't out on DVD yet and you know - that's probably okay. As a sports film, it's pretty interesting but the acting - she is not so good. Also, the "peeing" scene is the one thing I really remember and that's not good either.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Waiting for the Moon
This is one of my partner's favourite movies. It's a sweet, arty film about a year in the life of Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas. High on lovely scenery and quiet moments - low on hot lesbian action.
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Lesbian Film . . . Noir?
Dark - gritty - grrrrls.
Bound
I hate movies involving the mob and I can't take a lot of violence in movies, so for all its slick style and lesbian chic, Bound is not on my top ten. However, the seduction scene happens near the beginning of the film and it's HOT. If you're watching it with a special someone, you probably won't make it past the first 15 minutes of the movie anyway.
Amazon Price: $10.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Gasoline
This film is more dark comedy than thriller - sort of an Italian lesbian Thelma and Louise. It's totally fucked up in that great European way. Love it.
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Lesbians In Uniform
Why aren't there more of these?
Serving in Silence: The Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer
Glenn Close won an Emmy for her portrayal of Colonel Margarethe Cammermeyer in this tv movie biopic from 1995. Judy Davis also won an Emmy for playing her lover. Good times. Despite the made-for-tv-ness of this film, I have a real soft spot in my heart for it. An inspiring story well told.
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Shitty Buzz, Lesbians
Historical Edition
Heavenly Creatures
This film starts with the murder of Pauline's mum, so I don't feel I'm giving anything away here. Melanie Lynskey and Kate Winslet are amazing together as they weave their all-consuming fantasies and fight to live in them. Light girl-on-girl action. The murder scene, while really not all that graphic, I suppose, made me want to barf, which I why I can never own the movie.
Amazon Price: $8.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Aimee and Jaguar
The film is set in Nazi Germany and one of the lesbians is a Jewish resistance fighter - you can figure out what happens. But the portrait of these two unlikely lovers during this crazy period is both touching and fascinating. The various characters' constant attempts to balance of loyalty vs. self-preservation were riveting; no other movie set in this period really drove this home for me.
Amazon Price: $26.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Gia (Unrated Edition)
Tragic true story of the rise and fall of '80's supermodel Gia. I don't mind a little Angelina Jolie and you get ALL of her in this film. Plus some nastiness with needles. GAH. Elizabeth Mitchell, who some of you might remember as the hottie who turned Carrie Weaver gay on E.R., stars as Gia's love interest. It's good times.
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Shitty Buzz, Lesbians
Non-historical edition
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Who Knew?
Julie Johnson
Based on a stage play, this film is sort of a lesbian Good Will Hunting. With Lili Taylor falling for Courtney Love. Who knew? I feared cheesy, self-conscious dialogue, the hallmark of many a lesbonic film, but the writing in this was quite lovely and Taylor's performance as a woman discovering both her brain and sexuality was pretty great.
Amazon Price: $13.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Producing Adults
Set in Finland, this story about a woman trying to conceive, her hesitant Olympic-hopeful boyfriend and the hot fertility doctor who helps her out was kind of unsmiling in that European way. Yet it was also kind of funny and sweet. In that unsmiling European way.
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Uhhhh . . . okay . . .
Hmm.
Loving Annabelle
There are undeniably moments of hotness in this film but I had trouble getting past two things. One, the teacher/student romance (even if the student initiates) always kinds of creeps me out. I mean, she's a senior! Just wait a couple of months! Two, the timid teacher character reminded me of Melanie Griffiths, whom I despise. I couldn't understand the attraction. Also, the ending - whaa?
Amazon Price: $19.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
GAH
Just . . . gah.
Girl Play
I knew going in that this might be bad. I was right. The writing had its moments of okayness, but the stageplay did not transfer at all well to screen and the performers . . . well, I'm glad they found love with each other. 'Cause they're gettin' none from me.
Amazon Price: $22.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Not QUITE Lesbian Movies
Close, though.
Fried Green Tomatoes (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
I LOVE this movie. Love the book, love the movie. However, I think the main reason I love the movie is because I read the book and know that Ruth and Idgie are big lesbians. There's nothing explicit in the film about it and you might miss it if you're not paying attention. This film also kicked off my avid interest in Mary Stuart Masterson. Because she's HOT.
Amazon Price: $4.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Kissing Jessica Stein
Really, it's the story of Jessica Stein taking some brave risks and discovering that, after all, she's not really a lesbian. Fair enough! But to me, it's kinda feels like a film about straight people and I have enough of those.
Amazon Price: $7.49 (as of 12/02/2008)
Chasing Amy - Criterion Collection
I don't mind a little Kevin Smith. But I see this film of his on lists of lesbian films all the time and it's not a lesbian movie. What it IS is the ultimate male fantasy. You know, where a guy has a crush on a girl who turns out to be a lesbian. But then he wins her heart and gets her to give dick a chance. Of course, in this story, when the guy finds out he's not the FIRST man she's ever slept with and that her sexual past has been more adventurous than his, he kinda freaks out and they break up, then she goes back to women. Good times. Sigh.
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/02/2008)
Reader Feedback
InternetCowgirl wrote...
Bound and Desert Hearts are my personal favorites :)Great lens, Creampuff - 5 stars to you!
Posted March 31, 2008
Lesbian Movie Guide wrote
Fried Green Tomatoes is probably the most lesbian film ever produced that didn,t actually use the term lesbian or feature any lesbian scenes
Some reviews with clips at http://www.moviesforlesbians.com/Movielist.html
Posted March 24, 2008
lisadh wrote...
Your bio made me laugh. Didn't know Anne of Green Gables was so powerful! :-) -- For movies, what about "If These Walls Could Talk?"
Posted January 24, 2008
Creampuff wrote...
Thanks so much for the tips, folks! I'm looking forward to checking out your suggestions!
Posted January 11, 2008
