She Loves Her

And these are my fave stories about women who love women. Lesbian movies aren't as popular as their gay counterpart, are they? Thank God for Blue is the Warmest Color, lesbian cinema is now gaining some attention.

(In alphabetical order.)

AIMÉE & JAGUAR

A heartwrenching love story set during the second World War. It chronicles the passionate love affair of Lilly and Felice. On the run from the Gestapo, Felice falls in love at first sight with the married Lilly. Being the naughty girl that she is, Lilly falls for Felice's advances. The two women wrote letters to each other as Aimée and Jaguar (hence the title).

Yet another proof that getting married to the opposite sex and having children do not guarantee heterosexuality, as if there is such a thing. (Oh yes. I like reiterating myself.)

I still cry every time I see this film. It has so much emotional power in it, one can't help but feel like his heart is being punched, stabbed, and shot. (Sorry for being morbid.) Matter of fact, I'm on the edge of tears as I type this. Oh, by the way, this is based on the true story of Lilly Wust and Felice Schragenheim.

DESERT HEARTS

This sweet movie perfectly shows us that personality differences, age gap, and social status mean nothing when two souls fall for each other. Personally, this film is The Godfather of lesbian cinema; every lesbian should see this, just as every film buff should see The Godfather.

But whatever happened to its lead actresses, Helen Shaver and Patricia Charbonneau? I don't know either. Last I saw Ms. Shaver was as the homophobic zealot on The L Word. As with the Chaplinesque Charbonneau? I so don't know. (By "Chaplinesque" I didn't mean to say that she looks like The Tramp; rather, she looks likes one of Charlie Chaplin's daughters.)

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES

A lesbian love story dressed as a chick flick. This is probably the most mainstream film on the list. In order to avoid marginalization, director Jon Avnet had to downplay the lesbian elements of Fannie Flagg's novel. (Whatever. It was the '90s. People have yet to know that Love is Love.)

The Idgie and Ruth plotline is a love story within a story. These two women knew that they were speaking the same language, but they just can't say it out loud because, hey, it was the '30s. I can't even find the right words to describe how their love story touched my heart.

IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK 2

Sounds a bit scary, huh? I mean, "talking walls?" Anyway, this TV movie is far from scary; it is heartbreakingly and heartwarmingly beautiful. Oh, yes. It's hearty.

Our Sociology and Anthropology professor showed this to us back in college; that's when I first saw this. This film is divided into three love stories: 1961, 1972, and 2000.

Impressively crafted by female directors, this film is a thorough examination of how society — during those decades — looks at lesbianism.

1961 is my most fave part. It's about an elderly lesbian (played by the legendary Vanessa Redgrave) coping with the demise of her beloved (played by the underrated Marian Seldes). The acting and the story are poignant; it hits the right spot (no, not that; the one that's beating on the left side of your chest).

So then my mother says to me, "The whole point of your college education is to meet a nice boy." I just told her it was hard enough to meet a nice girl.
- Linda

As for 1972, it shows us how butch Boys Don't Cry femme Chloe Sevigny can go; she plays a handsome byker who wins Michelle Williams' heart.

Sharon Stone and Ellen DeGeneres play Sharon Stone and Ellen DeGeneres in 2000. This is a promising story; I just can't help but see Stone and DeGeneres play themselves.

THE INCREDIBLY TRUE ADVENTURE OF TWO GIRLS IN LOVE

And they call it puppy love. Can you still remember your first infatuation/crush/love/whatever? Can you remember your first lesbian infatuation/crush/love/whatever? The answer may vary. Anyway, this film is all about those: puppy love and first infatuation/crush/love/whatever.

Cute. Cute. Cute. Laurel Holloman, a.k.a. The L Word's Tina Kennard, stars as a tomboy lesbian. (Tomboy na, lesbian pa. Ain't that redundant? Chos.) Ms. Holloman is bursting with cuteness as the smitten Randy Dean, the school outcast who falls for the popular girl, Evie (Nicole Ari Parker). Ang cute lang.

"Heterosexuality is not normal, it's just common."
- Dorothy Parker


COMING SOON: He Loves Her, So Does She.


DISCLAIMER: No copyright infringement intended. I don't own or claim to own any of the photos used.