There is certainly quite a bit of potential in this film, but ultimately, it is a missed opportunity.Originally, I saw a portion of this film at a New York festival, around 2001 or 2002. At that point, the premise looked promising. Now, in 2005, I came across the title on Netflix, and decided to witness the final cut.The acting is fine, and the topic intriguing, but overall, there is something missing. I am puzzled by the other posts in here, that praise the film as if it were a classic. The flashback scenes establish a subplot that never sees completion. The older gentleman's age is disproportionate.Perhaps I simply do not understand the plight of the gay, black man enough to appreciate this film.

I got this film out thinking that it was going to be a light weight! Far from it! This is a "Giant" of a film within its class (GLBT). It directly deals with some real issues and portrays black gays in a very positive way.This film should be seen by all those who are struggling with their sexuality and especially black men. The film appropriately deals with issues and for a change it is handled well.The relationships within the film are well crafted and the central relationship between the two main characters is dealt with in a very poinient way.I enjoyed this film and was touched as well as educated. If you are looking for something interesting with a black gay theme and not full of Hollywood trash, this is it.

This is the only movie that deals with the black gay experience in such an honest way. It is controversial and some may be offended by the subject matter or may feel that it is to 'urban'. I don't think the director intended for there to be any closure but wanted the audience to feel that the black gay experience is ever changing and complex. There were no villains or heroes in this movie - just regular people living life and trying to figure out which path to take. I guess the reason this movie got a poor rating isn't because it was a 'bad' movie. Those who rated it poorly concede that it was well acted. The problem was that there was no 'happy' ending. While the title character did form an strong bond of friendship, he never found the intimate relationship that he desperately desired. Instead he chose to perfect his talents in writing and painting. One imagines that he will go on enriching the lives of others with his artistry while living a life of lonely desperation. There were lessons yet to be learned by the title character and you're left wondering if he 'got them'. He never grabbed the unbridled passion for life that he gazed upon in black and white. I was left with the impression that he will take a more 'responsible' stride through life much like his forebear Langston Hughes ... or maybe not.

this film brought together a lot of parallel themes. after leaving the movie i keep talking about it, surprised that i was not familiar with the involvement of Zora and Langston in the Renaissance time period gay struggle. there were so many timeless themes involved in this movie which is such a rarity in today's one-oversimplified-theme kind of world. it is very provocative and forces the viewer to explore their own views on the issue of linking these causes together (i.e. class/homeless/gay/black/whoredom).i do have one remaining question, please answer it or comment if you can:was the ringleader of the guys that beat up Perry his friend? he was angry when Perry did not want to compromise his art for the white dealer and never came back in the movie. it also would parallel the memory of Bruce's when Fire was burned in the steel trash can by other blacks.