Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #15071 in VHS
• Released on: 2003-07-22
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Formats: Color, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of tapes: 1
• Running time: 90 minutes

Amazon.com
The work of Paul Monette, the gifted writer whose death in 1995 brought an early end to a promising career, dealt with themes of anger, love, and maturity; the documentary Brink of Summer's End recounts Monette's life while remaining faithful to the ideas in his writing. Finding himself in the right place at the right time, Monette developed a voice that spoke for the gay community just when the AIDS crisis had provoked a need for such work with his book Becoming a Man: Half a Life Story. The film examines his development from his childhood in Massachusetts--his close family life, his difficult school experiences, and his long struggle with his sexuality. Readings from Monette's work punctuate interviews with the author, his brother, and friends; home movies and photos, often quite intimate, reveal Monette's love of life nearly as well as his words. The Brink of Summer's End is a deeply moving film that will be inspiring to artists, activists, and anyone trying to make a relationship work in difficult times. --Rob Lightner

Customer Reviews

The Brink of Summer's End
I was a member of the advisory board of the Hong Kong Queer Festival '98, and I watch this video during our screening session. I found this video a really moving documentary. I realise that, no matter you have AIDS or not you are going to die, but if you are not brave enough to admit to yourselves that you are gay, and you are not honest enough to love. You will surely die painfully.

Getting to Know Paul Monette
I first read Paul Monette when I purchased his "Becoming a Man". I all but fell in love with him! In some ways, I could identify with his life, and he wrote about it so eloquently. I have since purchased many of his other novels and memoirs. When I saw that there was a documentary about him, I immediately bought it.
It was wonderful to hear his voice and see him in action. He was a gorgeous young man, and even in his later years, as AIDS slowly destroyed him, he retained that beauty. I found this documentary to be insightful, and I envy the people who knew him and worked with him. I wish I could let him know what his writing means to me.
Anyone who has enjoyed Mr. Monette's writing will enjoy this documentary. His spirit lives on through his writing and this movie.

video for Paul Monette
Haven't viewed it in months...it is pretty forgettable. He is one of my favorite authors, and I was disappointed by this video. But anything by or about him, in my book, is never a waste of money.