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Those Left Behind

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 04/20/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Red Ribbons"



Those Left Behind



Amos Lassen



Waterbearer is releasing "Red Ribbons" a look at a group of friends who lost Frank David Niles who died of AIDS and how they cope with the loss. Niles was the creative force behind a controversial theater group, "In Your Face" and his friends, colleagues, collaborators and former lovers come together for a memorial service. When Niles (Christopher Cappiello) realizes that his life is coming to an end due to AIDS, he recorded his final hours and days on home video. The day after his funeral, his lover (Robert Parker) hosts to members of the theater troupe. Among those who come to the impromptu memorial service are two lesbians, Robert's sister, a pair of bickering gay lovers, and Niles' mother.

The film is part video diary and part drama. As the plot unfolds scenes from Niles' video diary are intercut with scenes of the present as the characters talk about their encounters with the deceased man. Unfortunately there is a great deal of sentimentality which almost outplays the sincerity of the film. With the great idea for a story, the plot unfortunately does not have many options and it seems to stand still. What really makes the movie interesting, however, is the appearance of Quentin Crisp as one of the lovers who has some great lines. This was his final full length film and he steals the movie with his wonderful performance.

Included as extras on the DVD are two shorts, "The Divine Mr. Crisp", a film of a lecture that Crisp gave in 1995, and "Auntie Fannie", a short tale of death and memory which stars Crisp in the title role.

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