The point being that dishonesty hurts everyone… the liar and those who’ve been lied to. Especially the woman who loves the liar and who expected to spend the rest of her life in partnership with him.

Coming out is supposed to be liberating and joyful. Therefore the presumption is that he who comes out gets all the reward, while everyone else is left to catch up intellectually and emotionally. But the revelation often results in disillusionment and heartache for those who are blindsided by such unwelcome news. And, hurting people we love can trigger regret, guilt and even greater shame.

Yes, in this film, characteristics and stereotypical behaviors are the primary determining factors in the lead character’s sexual orientation. But, at this point, whether he has ever loved another man seems unimportant, not only to the plot, but to his sexuality. It’s a comedy of manners, like Moliere or Oscar Wilde, isn’t it? And had the audience known that he’d secretly acted out, he certainly wouldn’t have been a very sympathetic protagonist.

It took me some time to get used to seeing men kissing on the screen. And, I’ve kissed a lot of men. It’s difficult to rid one’s self of those gut responses. The Klein-Selleck kiss was a huge breakthrough for its time. That it came without permission made it that much more impactful and dramatic. Just some random thoughts on this excellent piece.