Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story

I seem to watch at least bits of this film every time it turns up (which it does surprisingly often). The title is a turnoff, but the film itself is excellent. Forget that it was "made for TV, based on a true story". (Actually those movies are some of the best.) It stars Glenn Close and Judy Davis as the gay lovers and they are both believable and appealing, especially Close, who is just wonderful as the army nurse who fights for her rights. The script and direction are fine. Give it a go.

I saw this years ago, and recently found a copy of the video in a used/secondhand video store.

A remarkable drama, with a fine performance by Glenn Close, this is a tightly woven and deeply touching & affecting film.

Kudos.

This TV movie co-produced by Barbra Streisand gained controversy because of a kiss between Glenn Close and Judy Davis. It's hard to know why since it's not the first representation of lesbianism on TV and the kiss itself looks pretty strained.

Director Jeff Bleckner presents Close as a real life Washington National Guard nurse who is discharged from the Army for `immoral conduct' after revealing her sexual orientation, although she argues that her relationship doesn't incorporate `conduct'. What we see is a lot of intense eye contact between Close and Davis as her artist girlfriend and a fair share of hugging, though Close tends to hug practically everyone she meets. Davis is presented as the ideal femme partner. She's supportive, she says all the right things, the family likes her and she is funny, particularly when she is outed `on prime time'.

The script by Alison Cross is tight and intelligent, thankfully focusing more on relationships than Cammermeyer's trial, and Bleckner allows the two actors to create a subtle interplay. Close has fun with the butch army stereotype and is moving when she confesses to her sons, her tears bursting forth.

My partner and I have been watching a lot of these true movies lately, and this is a real gem. It illustrates how society was (and in some parts of the world still is) struggling with true tolerance towards all that is different and doesn't fit into a neat traditional box. The actors are all very convincing, and unless you are of the narrow-minded, intolerant persuasion, you will be rooting for Glenn Close's character throughout! It is beautifully shot, and not overly sentimental, yet very moving. With the current fuss about the Olympics in Russia, this film seems to be timeless and relevant even all those years later. Maybe some societies still need to catch up. If you get a chance to watch this, do!

I have met Grethe Cammermeyer, she has ridden in my car, and she has teased me. This movie does not bring to the viewer the depth of passion that she brings to her fight for Civil Rights. I think those that watch it can learn a lot about the fight that many people go through to feel comfortable in their lives. Well worth watching.