Monday, September 13, 2004

 

Beefcake by Thom Fitzgerald (2000)

I loved this film. A definite must see for gay guys, especially those into bodybuilding. The film is based on the life of Bob Miser, the man who founded and ran AMG (The Athletic Model Guild). If you are not familiar with AMG by name you have probably seen their work. They made many of the old black-and-white films of men posing in straps and horseplaying. The AMG was in part responsible for launching the careers of Joe Dallesandro who went on to appear in a few Andy Warhol films (Flesh, Trash, and Heat) and many other male b-movie stars.

The film weaves a partly fictionalized biographical account of Miser's life starting with his childhood fascination with the naked male body and photography, actual AMG footage, and interviews with AMG models including Dallesandro and Jack Lalanne. The transitions between these three different parts of the film flow very naturally and all of the major cast fit right into 1950's America. The film spends a lot of time in the 50's and 60's and shows the difficulty Miser when confronting a 'conservative' society with nude male erotica. He was arrested at least once and had to appear in court to face pandering charges. Miser's mother plays as big part in the film as she no doubt did in real life. That she was able to tune out the homoeroticism and Miser's homosexuality until forced to confront it, is interesting.

The film also interviews people who helped Miser in his work and those who have studied it. Miser allowed many of his models to 'live' in his AMG compound near Los Angeles in exchange for participating in his photo shoots, and the viewer gets to see firsthand what life at AMG was like. I found the way the film interlaced black-and white photos and footage of the models back then with current day interviews in color very compelling. They all seemed to have fond memories of Mr. Miser and the AMG, and a few definitely long to go back.

My recommendation
must see movie


recommendation scale:
must see movie
pay full price
good, but not great
maybe matinee
rent it if you are bored
don't bother

Comments:
i've heard about this movie. thanks for the recommendation, i'll have to check it out.
 
I couldn't agree with you more. Beefcake is one of my favorite documentaries. The soundtrack adds to a very happy look. I wish Mizer could have lived to see just how influential and appreciated his films and photos have become.
 
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