Pousse Cafe

I saw this film years ago at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. Of all the films I saw that weekend, this was by far the best. It is also one of the best "gay themed" movies I have seen ever.

The film is not about a man coming our, or the angst of being gay. It is about a father and son. The son is openly gay, but that is not the center of the story. The main plot point is that the father is newly single after his wife leaves him. The son helps his father adjust to being alone, and both become closer in the process.

Just watching the intricacies of creating the drink "Pousse Cafe", a complex combination of layered liquors, displayed in bands of color. The drink is a metaphor for relationships and how delicate they are in their dynamics.

Wow!

Upon viewing I was completely shocked how nostalgic, yet modern a film could be that was the same age that I was (Almost 26 years old!) This movie was absolutely stunning. The way it was filmed was one of a kind and unique. The movie is very honest and has fun little pinches of slight, tasteful camp. Something that I personally admire.

The movie shows that as humans we never really change! No matter the time period we find ourselves dwelling in. We all go through loss, pain and sadness. We also face a difficult crossroad where we can either choose to deny our truth or accept ourselves for who we are. It shows the viewer that no matter what happens in life we can always choose to find ourselves again. That we can reside in freedom and joy once again. Pousse Cafe gives a redemptive example to us that we are never too late to love and accept ourselves as well as the people around us. Especially the ones that we hold dearest to our hearts.