Tab Hunter Confidential (2015)

Did you people see the same film I saw?

Absolutely Fantastic

It's an amazing and heartbreaking story.

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

Fascinating. The star still shines. Some older gay actors are reluctant to talk about their experiences so thank you Mr Hunter. This will help young gay people coming to terms with their sexuality today. Includes interviews with stars like Don Murray, Terry Moore, Debbie Reynolds, Connie Stevens, Darryl Hickman, George Takei - all looking great too!

Greetings again from the darkness. "Made it, Ma. Top of the world!" That line was famously bellowed by James Cagney in the 1949 film WHITE HEAT, and it reasonably could have been shouted behind closed doors, a few years later, by Tab Hunter. Of course, that wouldn't have been the only thing Mr. Hunter was keeping behind those doors. In his 2005 autobiography, he came out publicly as a gay man. Director Jeffrey Schwarz takes that book, and puts a very forthcoming Mr. Hunter in front of the camera, to deliver a fascinating, entertaining and educational glimpse at what it was like to be a movie and musical superstar at a time when being a gay man was not just a social taboo, but actually considered a mental illness.Normally, "talking head" documentaries quickly become tiresome, but now in his 80's, Mr. Hunter remains an engaging and delightful man, and he is so sincere and upfront in telling his stories, that we couldn't possibly turn away. In addition, director Schwarz drops in interviews from those who were there. These include: Debbie Reynolds, Connie Stevens, Robert Wagner (filling in his for his deceased wife Natalie Wood), John Waters, George Takei, and Robert Osborne. Each recall moments from real life, with the studio publicity romances (Reynolds, Stevens, Wood) providing the touch of melancholy that brings focus to the matter at hand.Another entertaining touch added by Schwarz is his use of actual dialogue snippets from Hunter's films to deliver punch to a point – sometimes comedic, sometimes more serious. Never succumbing to the career retrospective approach, the film does offer significant film clips, photographs and recollections of Hunter's unique career that found him #1 at the Box Office, as well as #1 on the Pop Music Charts (his recording of "Young Love" knocked Elvis off the top of the charts).The film could also serve as a historical documenting of the Hollywood Studio system, as Hunter's success with Warner Brothers was never to be duplicated once he gained his contractual release (through buyout). We do go through the career re-birth brought about by Hunter's work in the John Waters offbeat classic POLYSTER, where the former matinée idol finds himself making out on screen with Divine, the 300 pound transvestite who was a fixture in Waters' films. Surprisingly, it's Hunter's fearless approach to the material that makes it click.But beyond the Hollywood insight, the film is most effectively the story of a man who, because of his era, had to be one person in public and another behind the closed doors. Hunter describes this as "being rewarded for pretending to be someone you aren't". He speaks frankly about his relationship with Anthony Perkins, as well as a couple of other serious relationships. We also learn about his childhood, when he had an abusive father and was close to his older brother, who later died in Vietnam. Hunter speaks of being "lost as a kid". Beyond the Hollywood years, it's fascinating to hear Hunter speak of his time on the Dinner Theatre circuit, where he put up with the travel and drudgery so that he could pay the bills and care for his sick mother. We also learn that in addition to his staggering good looks, his on screen appeal, and his musical talent, Hunter was also a world class figure skater and competitive equestrian horse jumper. Yep, Tab Hunter is pretty much the guy we would all despise … if he just wasn't so darned nice and likable!

Tab Hunter has a life story no one else but he could do justice telling. Thankfully, he's done it first with a book (2005) and now a very moving documentary. This beautifully produced and directed film cleverly takes the viewer into his confidence touring his amazing life journey over 8 decades. The compelling stories he lets us in on are told with honesty, taste, wit, self-deprecation and a humility that is sadly uncommon in this 21st century of self-absorption and self-promotion. The secret almost all viewers will want to know about is not that during his intense fame he was a closeted gay man, a dangerous situation in the rigid era of the 1950's that led many to self-destruction. The real revelation that comes over you while watching this unique story is the focus, faith and character Hunter has and how he got it. It would give him the ability to endure all the seasons of his fame and his personal life challenges.He was a product of "the studio system" during its twilight years when moguls like Jack Warner had total control over its movies and stars. For Tab that was sometimes a blessing or a curse. What becomes clear early on is whatever Tab Hunter put his focus on - acting, professional ice skating or horse riding - he always became a master at. The documentary has something for everyone interested in movie history, social mores, pop culture and most importantly - how someone can maintain dignity and character throughout a life with compromises that could have sent anyone else off a cliff.

Kudos to director Allan Glaser for expanding this powerful bio-film to include facts about Mr. Hunter's personal life struggles and not focusing entirely on just his Hollywood film career. The result is an entertaining and emotionally touching film about a man who is much deeper than one might assume. His strength of character shines through in his candid discussions about being a heartthrob for teenage girls while living a secret life as a gay man during the 1950s. For the first time Mr. Hunter talks about the father he never knew, his mother's mental illness and his faith in God and the church even after the church seemingly rejected him because of his openness and honesty. Tab Hunter is a survivor and this is one Hollywood story with a happy ending.