An Englishman in New York

An Englishman in New York is a biographical film that follows the life of British writer and gay activist Quentin Crisp. The movie is a sequel to the successful 1975 television film The Naked Civil Servant, which also starred John Hurt as Crisp.

The film begins in the early 1980s, when Crisp decides to move from London to New York City. Despite being in his seventies, Crisp is determined to start a new life in the Big Apple, where he believes he will have more freedom to be himself as an openly gay man.

Crisp's move to New York is not without its challenges, however. Despite his reputation as a writer and performer, Crisp struggles to find work and is forced to live in a small, dingy apartment in Manhattan's Lower East Side. He quickly becomes disillusioned with the city, which he finds to be far less accepting of homosexuality than he had anticipated.

Despite these setbacks, Crisp remains determined to live life on his own terms. He continues to perform his one-man show, An Evening with Quentin Crisp, in which he shares his views on life, love, and politics with his audiences. He also becomes involved in the city's burgeoning gay rights movement, lending his support to groups like ACT UP and the AIDS Memorial Quilt.

As the years go on, Crisp's health begins to decline. He develops cancer but refuses to seek treatment, saying that he wants to die on his own terms. The film ends with Crisp's death in 1999 and his funeral procession through the streets of New York, attended by hundreds of fans and admirers.

The film's performances are its strongest element. John Hurt is once again exceptional in his portrayal of Crisp, capturing the wit, charm, and vulnerability that made the writer such a beloved figure. Denis O'Hare is equally impressive as Patrick Angus, a young American artist who becomes Crisp's close friend and confidant. Jonathan Tucker gives a nuanced and sympathetic performance as the troubled young man who becomes the subject of one of Crisp's most controversial interviews.

The film's production design is also noteworthy, with the sets and costumes effectively capturing the look and feel of 1980s New York. The film's soundtrack, featuring songs by artists like Michael Jackson and Boy George, helps to further evoke the period in which the story takes place.

Overall, An Englishman in New York is a compelling and poignant portrait of one of the 20th century's most fascinating personalities. Its exploration of Crisp's life and legacy is both insightful and moving, making it a must-see for anyone interested in LGBT history or the counterculture of the 1980s.