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The second feature directed by Todd Haynes, POISON is a groundbreaking American independent film and was the most fervently debated film of the 1990s as well as a trailblazing landmark of queer cinema. A work of immense visual invention, Haynes’ spectacular follow-up to his legendary SUPERSTAR: THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY is audacious, disturbing and thrillingly cinematic. Inspired by the writings of Jean Genet, POISON deftly interweaves trio of transgressive tales (“Hero,” “Horror” and “Homo”) that build toward a devastating climax. “Hero,” shot in mock television-documentary style, tells a bizarre story of suburban patricide and a miraculous flight from justice; “Horror,” filmed like a delirious ’50s B-movie melodrama, is a gothic tale of a mad sex experiment which unleashes a disfiguring plague; while “Homo” explores the obsessive sexual relationship between two prison inmates. A runaway hit which made national headlines when it was attacked by right-wing figures including Dick Armey, Ralph Reed and minister Donald Wildmon, POISON is unsettling, unforgettable and thoroughly entertaining.
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Cast & Crew
- Evan Dunsky - Dr. MacArthur
- Anne Giotta - Evelyn McAlpert
- Rob LaBelle - Jay Wete
- Lydia Lafleur - Sylvia Manning
- John Leguizamo - Chanchi
- James Lyons - Jack Bolton
- Larry Maxwell - Dr. Graves
- Edith Meeks - Felicia Beacon
- Ian Nemser - Sean White
- Buck Smith - Gregory Lazar
- Millie White - Millie Sklar
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Reviews
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...caught me by surprise. I really enjoyed it. Great cinematography, wonderful acting, excellent direction.
A bizarre, surrealistic tragic trilogy. Although based on the works of Genet, it is strangely reminiscent of a Hubert Selby novel.
OK..maybe the strangest movie we have seen on Fandor...and that is saying a lot.
The film that simultaneously put Todd Haynes on the map and ushered in the New Queer Cinema movement, "Poison" was both an extremely controversial as well as highly influential picture- and it remains a reference point in LGBT film to this day.
Startling and even though i saw this film when it first came out I had some problems with it. But a this this time I simply enjoyed Todd Hayne's vision.
amazing directing, photography, story very inspiring loved it!!
A wide range of emotions weave taunt stories, peculiar, provocative, perverse?? The neighbor lady who witnesses the "BM" certainly might think so.
movie viewed fine but did not like the content as very disturbing and brutal....
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