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Squeeze (1980 film)

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Wikipedia article




'Squeeze' is a New Zealand drama film, directed by Richard Turner and released in 1980.Kevin Thomas, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73775338/ "A Bisexual's Self-Discovery in Squeeze"]. 'Los Angeles Times', April 10, 1981. The film stars Robert Shannon as Grant, a bisexual businessman torn between his relationships with his fiance Joy (Donna Akersten) and his boyfriend Paul (Paul Eady).George Williams, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73775847/ "Stirring Performances Redeem 'The Squeeze'"]. 'Sacramento Bee', June 28, 1983.

The film, made six years before homosexuality was decriminalized in New Zealand, was refused funding by the New Zealand Film Commission, and instead its $100,000 budget was funded almost entirely by individual donors within Auckland's LGBT community.Meaghan Morris, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73776220/ "Imaginative, colourful portrayal of gay life"]. 'Sydney Morning Herald', February 14, 1981.

The film premiered in July 1980 in Auckland,Kevin Thomas, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73776692/ "New Zealand: Fermenting a Film Factory"]. 'Los Angeles Times', July 27, 1980. and had its North American premiere in October 1980 at the Chicago International Film Festival. It was subsequently screened in selected markets in 1981, including Sydney and Los Angeles, and at the 1981 Festival of Festivals in Toronto.Phil Shaw, "Not the gay film". 'The Body Politic', November 1981. p. 35.

Critical response



Kevin Thomas of the 'Los Angeles Times' reviewed the film positively, writing that "What is most important about 'Squeeze' is the steadfast compassion with which it views its heroSqueeze' is a drama of most painful self-discovery, well-acted and heightened by an aptly moody, restless score." Thomas criticized the score, but still thought that the execution matched the theme the film tried to make.

George Williams of the 'Sacramento Bee' also criticized the film's audio, writing that the dialogue was sometimes "nearly unintelligible as it is mixed in with the background noise of street scenes and confrontations in gay bars", but concluded that the film was redeemed especially by the strength of Shannon and Eady's performances.

Meaghan Morris of the 'Sydney Morning Herald' criticized the portrayal of Joy as "like something out of the 1950s", and characterized some of its dramatic scenes as something akin to soap opera, but praised Shannon's performance and wrote that the film is "worth seeing just for the evocation of the streetlife of Auckland".

Soundtrack



The movie's title derives from the song 'Squeeze' by Toy Love. The film features the song along with music from other Auckland post-punk bands, The Features and the Marching Girls.

References




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