An Empty Bed (1989) User Reviews

An aging man's reflections on a closeted life

[Havan_IronOak · 7/10 · 20 July 2001]

An old gay man spends his day alone and reflects about his life and the lovers he has known. This is a realistic story of one man's journey through life and the choices that he has made. He's not a villain or hero and he's known happiness and sorrow. He apparently never had the courage to `come out' and at this point no one cares.

This short film (under an hour) is thought provoking and well made but may find very little audience today. There are not enough `skin scenes' to tantalize a modern audience and we Americans are not particularly interested in our seniors.

This movie will not "change your life" but it may prompt a healthy bit of introspection among its viewers that may keep them from ending up at the same point as the film's main character.

old people portrayed as infantile, bumbling idiots

[bfred · 2/10 · 26 October 2011]

the director obviously believes old people are doddering sibilant fools. the main character wanders the streets aimlessly. he is constantly astonished by things such as glass windows. one of the sub characters is cigarette smoking. the character seems to constantly be smoking. he does not inhale he SUCKS in the fumes as if they were mothers milk. the friend he meets on the street is an even bigger sap. the guy seems on the verge of smirking at his own lines of dialog. the biggest sap however is the ex lover. at the restaurant he says he is 34 years old and all he does is stay cooped up all day. lets see 34, young, great health, lives in NYC apparently educated and yet he cannot think of a thing to do all day except be a houseboy. and he blames the other guy.