The titular Hollywood heartthrob of the 1950s is the subject of this documentary which charts his family life, career, philosophies, and the challenges with being gay during that most infamous decade of repression and conformity.
The structure of the film is mostly Hunter's narration mixed with interviews with many who knew and worked with him. There is also a fabulous collection of footage that is cleverly displayed. This is not a surprise as the director is Jeffrey Schwarz who did such a wonderful job with "Vito" (2011).
Normally, it would be a liability to have one person's narration as the main focus of the film. In the case of this film, such a choice turned out to be an asset. This is because of Hunter's charm, sincerity, and modesty.
The narration of his career is thorough and intriguing. While it does include stories about his secret gay life, I was left with a yearning to know more on this topic. However, the reluctance to share more of this information is fitting with the overall story: Hunter was raised to keep his private life private. This lingering trait would also have been necessary to help him get through such a difficult time relatively unscathed.
This intriguing film can leave one with a curiosity regarding those in the same situation as Hunter including Rock Hudson and Anthony Perkins (with whom Hunter had a secret relationship). Hudson and Perkins both died of AIDS. Not only did Hunter escape this fate; he also avoided the fall into drugs and alcohol when his career waned. How, in God's name, did he do it?
Unlike Hudson and Perkins, Hunter never went so far as to marry a woman to hide his identity. He also seemed to have a spiritual nature that helped him to detach from the trappings of fame. His prime acting years were during a time when homosexual characters, when rarely portrayed in movies, had to meet a tragic death by the end as per production codes. Having lived a happily ever after life, it seems that Tab Hunter was, in the end, able to thumb his nose at that mindset. Good on him.
"Tab Hunter Confidential" could also be a fine companion piece with the superb documentary, "The Celluloid Closet" (1995).
The structure of the film is mostly Hunter's narration mixed with interviews with many who knew and worked with him. There is also a fabulous collection of footage that is cleverly displayed. This is not a surprise as the director is Jeffrey Schwarz who did such a wonderful job with "Vito" (2011).
Normally, it would be a liability to have one person's narration as the main focus of the film. In the case of this film, such a choice turned out to be an asset. This is because of Hunter's charm, sincerity, and modesty.
The narration of his career is thorough and intriguing. While it does include stories about his secret gay life, I was left with a yearning to know more on this topic. However, the reluctance to share more of this information is fitting with the overall story: Hunter was raised to keep his private life private. This lingering trait would also have been necessary to help him get through such a difficult time relatively unscathed.
This intriguing film can leave one with a curiosity regarding those in the same situation as Hunter including Rock Hudson and Anthony Perkins (with whom Hunter had a secret relationship). Hudson and Perkins both died of AIDS. Not only did Hunter escape this fate; he also avoided the fall into drugs and alcohol when his career waned. How, in God's name, did he do it?
Unlike Hudson and Perkins, Hunter never went so far as to marry a woman to hide his identity. He also seemed to have a spiritual nature that helped him to detach from the trappings of fame. His prime acting years were during a time when homosexual characters, when rarely portrayed in movies, had to meet a tragic death by the end as per production codes. Having lived a happily ever after life, it seems that Tab Hunter was, in the end, able to thumb his nose at that mindset. Good on him.
"Tab Hunter Confidential" could also be a fine companion piece with the superb documentary, "The Celluloid Closet" (1995).