By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 5 cats
Director: Linda Bloodworth-Thomason
Country: united_states
Year: 2013
Running time: 79
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2357788/combined
Bruce says: “Shane Bitney Crone had a difficult childhood, gay in Montana. His mother, always loving and supportive, did her best to protect Shane from the living hell of bullying and threats. He was suicidal. He would get panic attacks during which he felt he was choking or suffocating. To ease his pain, Shane began making a video diary in his early teens.
“Tom Bridegroom was the golden boy. The pride of his parents in Knox, Indiana, he graduated from Culver Academy at the top of his class then went to Vassar. He was a natural leader.
“Both young men ended up in Los Angeles. Tom and Shane met through women friends and it was love at first sight. One of the women called them, ‘The kind of couple that makes you believe in love.’ Before long the two were sharing an apartment in Los Feliz, an area of Los Angeles northeast of Hollywood. Tom pursued an acting and singing career; Shane continued his video diaries.
“What could shatter such happiness? One day while Shane was at work, Tom and a model friend went up on the roof of their apartment building for a photo shoot. Tom, ever exuberant, went after the perfect shot. He stepped back without looking, and then fell to his death.
“Friends and family flocked to Shane’s side. Tom’s mother arrived and assured Shane that he would be included in all the funeral activities. However, when Shane and friends arrived in Indiana they were barred rom the funeral and the cemetery. Tom’s siblings were mildly supportive but Shane claims it was a case of ‘blood thicker than water’ and they bowed to their parents’ wishes.
“Shattered, Shane decided to become an activist for gay marriage rather than retreat into his usual shell. While attending a wedding he met Linda Bloodworth-Thomason and they agreed to make a film. In spite of the heartbreak and tragedy most of the film is emphatically uplifting Tom and Shane’s near-perfect relationship; the incredible support network of their friends; the path Shane has chosen in the aftermath. Part of any film’s worth has to do with the viewer’s visceral reaction. Now that the Supreme Court has changed the marriage game the impact of BRIDEGROOM may be diminished for many viewers. Nonetheless, it is an important example of what happens when people do not have equal rights and I have no doubt that this is a lesson that mankind will be forced to relearn time after time in future years. 5 cats
“(BRIDEGROOM screened at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.)”
Thom says: “This relevant documentary is a real ‘gotcha’ moment of great intensity. Shane Bitney Crone & Thomas Bridegroom are two young Midwestern gay men who meet and fall beautifully in love. The film begins by introducing us to Crone and his growing up and coming out process. He has problems at school as many young gays have but when he finally announces his queerness, his entire family and circle of friends accept him. He’s an attractive boy with lots of pizzazz to his personality so it seems clear that he would be readily embraced. He meets Bridegroom and they’re soon madly in love. They have a ton of fun travelling throughout the world, become Internet semi-stars and Shane takes Tom to meet his sensible family. With the advent of the legality of gay marriage all over the country the couple are on the verge of taking advantage of the favourable legislation. Unfortunately Tom’s family is deeply homophobic so there is no chance of Shane bonding with the Bridegrooms. Still, Tom’s mother does come out to visit them in California and appears to be on the verge of acceptance of Shane’s part in Tom’s future.
“Tragically, Tom dies in a very freak accident while photographing an adorable deaf friend on the top of a roof. The Bridegrooms quickly take the body back home and disinvite Crone and his entire family to the funeral and Tom is buried with a lie written on his tombstone. So what the film does accomplish is a revenge that is of a sensible and profound nature. Never taking the Bridegrooms stand as anything but fact the funeral snub nonetheless comes across as cruel, hateful, & heinous. It clearly and objectively presents its case that the illusion of decency is nothing but a mask for hatred and meanness. Apparently great thanks to Oprah Winfrey for her strong support of this film. 5 cats”