“Lavender Men”
Director: Lovell Holder
Starring: Roger Q. Mason, Pete Ploszek, and Alex Esola
Plot: While working on a play about Abraham Lincoln, the show’s lonely stage manager daydreams an elaborate fantasia about the 16th President’s gay love affair.
Review:
It’s very rare for a film to keep my attention from scene one, but “Lavender Men” does just that. The film is adapted from the play of the same name, written by director Lovell Holder and star Roger Q. Mason.
Mason plays Taffeta, who conjures up a fantasia about the rumored gay love affair between President Lincoln and his close friend. Mason gives such a powerful performance in all their roles throughout the film. The most powerful line for me was “You will NOT erase me from this room!” It’s more of a rally cry. This line has a lot of meaning right now as we’re dealing with a transphobic administration in Washington, DC.
Ploszek plays Abe Lincoln and is pitch perfect. His chemistry with Alex Esola (“Elmer”) is undeniable. Esola brings such a range of emotions to his character. Not to mention, his charisma just oozes from the screen.
Mason and Esola deliver heartbreaking finales that just totally gutted me.
Overall, the film is captivating, emotional, and in a few parts..well…sexy. My only “complaint” is that it’s not being shown in wider release. As we’re coming upon Pride celebrations, this is a perfect film that should be screened all over the U.S.
*** out of *****
“Lavender Men” is NOW PLAYING at LOOK Cinemas in Virginia/DC