Films that don't hide John's queerness
The problem with MOST biopic and Beatles/John Lennon documentaries is that they ignore John's bisexuality. As a rule, it's only talked about his interest in women.
Fortunately, there are exceptions to this rule <3
The Beatles Secrets: It's a docu about Beatles "dirty secrets" (ugh, what a cringe name): sex, drugs ect. 38:32 - Royston Ellis (a bisexual poet), talking about Hamburg years: "I took John back to the flat where I was living with a girl and she, myself and John, we spent the night together. And the reason for this was not just the sex side but I'd written a poem which John liked and in there was a line: "I long to have on black leather sheets and ride motorcycles between your thighs". Well, we didn't have any black leather sheets, we had to make with black polythene and black oil skins".
The Hours and Times: A 1991 drama film about John and Brian's journey to Barcelona in 1963. Christopher Münch (director and screenwriter) points out that this is his imaginary scenario. The main characters are presented in a very interesting and nuanced way. For example, Lennon is most likely queer and would like to try "something more" with Epstein, but ends up "only" kissing him, possibly due to internalized homophobia. He makes derogatory comments about gays also openly, which fits in with real John's 1971 statement : "The fag in me made me feel insecure".
Backbeat is a 1994 film about the early days of the Beatles. The action takes place mainly in Hamburg, and the narrative focuses primarily on three characters: John, Stu and Astrid. John is played by Ian Hart who also played John in "The Hours and Times".
Although it's never explicitly stated that John has romantic feelings for Stu, it's implied. Astrid suspects a gay relationship between the two. For example, when Stu starts to have feelings for Astrid, John throws a tantrum. She sums it up:
Some time later, John treats Astrid arrogantly again. She says:
It could be interpreted that Astrid means platonic jealousy (because, for example, Stu has less time for John as a friend, less time for the band, etc.). But later on, Astrid's statement becomes clear:
Paul also suspects that John and Stu have something different than platonic friendship. He asks John what's between them two. John reacts aggressively.
At the end of the movie it's implied that John is in love with Astrid but decided not to make any moves because she fell in love with his best friend (Stu).
Some people see this as straightwashing John but I don't think so. When he suggested to Astrid that he was in love with her, she replied, "I love him, John. I do." And he said:
IMO this suggests (in the context of the entire movie) that John had romantic feelings for both Astrid and Stu.
But that's just my speculation. Everyone can interpret it differently.
Bonus: John in skirt and Paul in female top <3
The film, whose director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, who knew the Beatles live, tried to present the Lennon-McCartney relationship in a nuanced way.
The elevator scene is very popular in the McLennon fandom: John and Paul tease by simulating a fight, and suddenly John grabs Paul and kisses him on the lips. Paul pushes John away and asks, "Is my name Brian?"
Earlier, I thought unequivocally that this scene depicts sexual harassment: a kiss without the consent. I still think so often. However, this can also be seen in a different way - the movie John and Paul flirt, touching, as the real Lennon and McCartney used to do. The kiss was part of this flirt. When Paul definitely showed he didn't want it, John didn't push. I don't know how to settle this.
That's why I prefer a different, more unambiguous McLennon scene. John and Paul consider accepting the SNL invitation. Paul isn't sure: "We haven't played together for ages!". John strikes him lightly with his fist: "Come on, it's like screwing! Once you've done it, you never forget it!".
This moment reminds me of this quote where Paul compares songwriting to sex.
@elementarypenguin9 wrote me about Birth of the Beatles, a 1979 biopic. This is what they claim: "I was watching Birth of the Beatles recently (the film where Pete Best was technical advisor), and couldn't help but notice that they did show a gay vibe between John and Paul, such as here: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/view/thecoleopterawithana/687283702231941120?source=share There's also a scene where Paul says to John "give us a kiss" and briefly leans in and holds his hand at the back of Johns head before then turning away. And another scene where they are sitting on a sofa together glued together like a couple, and there seems to be a moment where they look at each other in a flirty way and john has his hand on pauls thigh. Just makes me wonder if maybe Pete Best gave them a little hint about how close John and Paul really were??"
See this clip and this compilation of gifs.
Some believe that John is queer-coded in A Hard Day's night.
@theoldmixer pointed out that Lennon was queer-coded also in Help! Here's John's conversation with Ringo.
Here are my suggestions! Do you know any other films where John's bisexuality isn't ignored?
