MovieChat Forums > Myra Breckinridge (1970) Discussion > A Cult Film?

A Cult Film?

posted 18 years ago by hustedt
11 replies | jump to latest

I'm writing a thesis on Myra Breckinridge's status as a cult film and I was wondering if there are any Myra cult fans out there who would be willing to talk about it? You can post back here or e-mail me at [email protected]

I'm just interested in whether you think Myra is a cult film, why you like Myra, how often you have seen it, what appeals to you in it, do you like it because it is BAD (like the general critical opinion) or do you think it is legitimately good? Also, if you are willing, I'm interested in the sexuality of the cult-- gay, straight, bi, queer, in transition?

Thanks!

Jake

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] hustedt 18 years ago

Thanks for the help!

Another question: do you think there are a lot of people in this "cult?" It seems to me that it's not really a cult as much as it is quite a few people who are fans of a movie...

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] goatboy420 18 years ago

Hi there!

I watched the movie for the first time last night, and I've got to say that I think I love it! It may well take another couple of viewings, but it seems to check all the boxes for being a 'cult classic'- unappreciated at the time of realease, slated by critics, a knowing, self referential sense of humour and a beautifully formed world in which everyone and everything makes it's own sense.
I also found it funny as hell in places, and was deeply impressed by some of the techniques used in the film narrative, especially impressive as I understand the making of the film was wrought with chaos and dissaray.
Good luck with the thesis!

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] superdan02453 18 years ago

I'm not sure why I love it, I just know I do. It just seems to be saying *beep* you to so many things, exactly what I'm not sure. I love the old movie clips and the whole look and feel of it. I think it is a legitamately good 'punk maifesto'. And I'm a gay male.

[–] haxan-1 18 years ago

The movie is starting to gain a small but devoted following. I like it because Myra is arguably the most powerful and self-confident gay or transgendered character ever to appear onscreen. She has no shame about having sexual reassignment--- she's proud of it and seems to consider it a badge of honor. Her body and her self aren't things she just takes for granted; she had to put all her effort into realizing them. I relate to her much more than the usual clowns, victims, and sidekicks that gay characters are usually portrayed as.

[–] bad_touch_granny 12 years ago

It's definitely a cult film. What is less
clear is whether it's camp or a parody of camp
criticism

[–] toycoon-too 12 years ago

It's definitely a cult film. What is less
clear is whether it's camp or a parody of camp
criticism.

I watched this for the first time the other night and I thought it was hilarious. Definitely ahead of it time. I think the strong element that holds it together is Rachel Welch's performance as Myra. She really brings a strength of conviction to the part that probably would have fallen flat in any other actor's hands. Mae West is typically good and simultaneously horrifying. She appears to be at least a hundred years old! It's hard to explain the attraction! I only wish the entire thing was a bit more joyful and a little less mean-spirited but really, I'm not complaining. It's just hard to tell if the film makers were in on the joke that the book conveys so well.

"The most important thing is being sincere, even if you have to fake it." - Cesar Romero

[–] oknar1977 9 years ago

i see it as experimental film. also a surrealist film. there is no usual storyboard and since people expect it, they label this as a bad movie. in reality, it's just different.

also in historical terms, a product of sexual revolution in 60s, i see it as if hollywood broke the chains of censorship and tried to set itself free by provocation and testing the new limits already set by popular books of that time. this means a bad taste as well.

in the end, movies were not the same after 1969, this film was a pioneer in abolishing cinema censorship. old movie clips shown throught the film were like an eulogy for the hollywood times that passed away and will never return again.

[–] grybop 9 years ago

If Myra had been made by someone like John Waters, it would be considered a cult masterpiece today. But since it was made in Hollywood, it's just bad. Go figure.