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Imserba Webstore - Common Ground (2000) [VHS]
![Common Ground (2000) [VHS]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41ZWBB57GVL._SL160_.jpg)
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List Price: $14.95
Our Price: $13.67
Your Save: $ 1.28 ( 9% )
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Paramount
Starring: Erik Knudsen, Brittany Murphy, Jason Priestley, Margot Kidder, Helen Shaver
Directed By: Donna Deitch
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780792170709
Format: Closed-captioned
ISBN: 0792170709
Label: Paramount
Manufacturer: Paramount
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Paramount
Release Date: 2002-01-29
Running Time: 104
Studio: Paramount
Theatrical Release Date: 2000-01-29
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Editorial Reviews:
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In Common Ground director Donna Deitch (Desert Hearts) uses three stories to explore attitudes toward homosexuality in the fictional small town of Homer, Connecticut, over a period of almost half a century. "A Friend of Dorothy's" tells the story of a girl who returns to Homer in 1954 after leaving the Navy. When it emerges that she was discharged after being arrested in a gay bar, she is ostracized by everyone except the owner of a local diner, a woman who has her own reasons for wanting to help Dorothy to escape. "M. Roberts" is set in 1974, when a gay teacher (Steven Weber) has to decide whether to jeopardize his career in order to help a troubled pupil who has been targeted by homophobic bullies. Finally, in present-day Homer, "Andy & Amos" follows the preparations for a gay wedding. While protesters gather on the town commons, Amos's father (Ed Asner) has to choose between long-held prejudices and his love for his son. Thanks to a Harvey Fierstein script that combines sexual politics with humor and believable characters, this is the most successful part of Common Ground. Ed Asner's gradual realization that his son's monogamous, long-term gay relationship is more conventional than most heterosexual marriages is deftly handled, achieving a balance between message and drama that the other stories lack. Despite the credentials of their authors (playwrights Paula Vogel and Terrence McNally) the first two segments feel more like lectures than stories. Their impact is weakened by clumsy dialogue (Dorothy's mother actually says, "I have no daughter") and stereotypical characters. The film's message is an important one: the road to equality is built upon the struggles and sacrifices of past generations. Unfortunately Common Ground is too uneven to deliver that message with the force it deserves. --Simon Leake
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: The Best Film Ever Made Dealing With Same-Sex Love!
Comment: The first time I watched Common Ground I actually sobbed. Unless a person is Gay, Lesbian or Bisexual, I really think it's very hard for heterosexuals to understand what many of us have gone through, or are currently going through!
This brilliant story links together three generations of gay and lesbian struggles in a mythical rural town in Connecticut. I came of age sexually in the second story, which takes place in the 1970's. I can identify only too well what the young gay man experienced at the hands of his fellow, bigoted classmates. And it ain't pretty! But the courage and fortitude he showed to everyone made me feel proud - and relieved - because I know there are people actually like him in the real world!
While Common Ground ends on a positive note and Connecticut actually is one of the first states to legalize gay marriage, I wouldn't want to be holding a wedding (or similar) ceremony in a place like rural Oklahoma or in 2/3 of the United States, for that matter! The struggles of previous generations (the first two stories in the film) are still common in way too many places, even if substantial progress has been made in the West Coast, Mid-Atlantic, New England and Iowa (who would have guessed a gay person would have more rights in the heartland than in California? Good For You Iowa!) Unfortunately, the struggle for fairness and common sense needs to continue!
Few areas of a person's life is more personal and important than one's own sexuality! I wonder how bigoted heterosexuals would feels if they woke up one morning on another planet and they were made to feel something was wrong with them for being straight instead of, let's say, bisexual! What, you don't engage in romantic relationships with BOTH genders! How strange! How odd! How could you possibly not be sexually attracted to both genders? What's wrong with you? This is a lovely fantasy I wish I could have every bigot experience!
I can only hope that in 2009 Common Ground is released on DVD and the extremely ridiculous "R" rating is downgraded to PG-13. To realize that a teenager struggling with his or her sexuality could not privately order Common Ground on their own is simply OUTRAGEOUS! The "R" rating and the fact that this film has not migrated to DVD speaks volumes about our society's utter stupidity when it comes to treating Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual people fairly.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Intro to Gays & Lesbians 101
Comment: The stories are timeless and still relevant, even though one takes place in 1954, one in 1974, and the last in 2000. It is a similar format to "If These Walls Could Talk 2" in which there are three stories from three different generations. The 1954 sequence hits home, in spite of a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy within the armed services, because even now, a military career can still be irreparably damaged if a soldier or officer is outed. Gay youths can relate to the 1974 story, seeing minimal progress from 1974 to the present with the way GLBT young people are treated by their peers. All one has to do is watch "The Matthew Shepard Story" or "Boys Don't Cry" to witness recent cruelty against GLBT youth.
The three stories could have easily been made into full-length movies. I especially wanted to learn more about the characters from "A Friend of Dorothy's." That story has a lot of potential, and Brittany Murphy was quite effective in her sad, wide-eyed portrayal of Dorothy Nelson. The phrase, "A friend of Dorothy's" was a bit overused in the script; I'm sure gays and lesbians back in 1954 had other code words to communicate their homosexuality other than just proclaiming "I'm a friend of Dorothy's." At times the gay cliches became a bit much, which diluted the realism and authenticity of the stories.
What I liked about the film was its positive ending and overall of message of hope and acceptance, in spite of what happened to some of the main characters in the three stories. It is a visually beautiful film and captures the small town feeling. And the stories are compelling enough to make this an interesting film to purchase and watch. I hope it comes out on DVD with Director's and Screenwriters' commentary.
Customer Rating:
Summary: absolubtly phenomenal
Comment: This could very well be among the greatest movies I've ever seen. It gets kind of corny at times, but corniness is good when dealing with these themes. If you liked Angela's Ashes, you'll LOVE Common Ground. It made me cry, not because I could indetify (I'm straight), but my brother is gay and it really helped me see some things differently. Watch it, you won't regret it.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Why not on DVD!!!
Comment: Come on folks VHS is DEAD.
DVD please
Customer Rating:
Summary: Loved it, loved it, loved it.
Comment: Great film.However, I couldn't help but notice what an UGLY OLD HAG Margot Kidder has turned into! YIKES! I could hardly stand to look at her. LMAO
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