Camp

Synopsis:

Misfits in their lives back home, a group of young people live it up at musical-theater camp. While the sports counselor is completely ignored, the kids’ spend all their time in rehearsal for a grueling schedule that involves a new show every two weeks. Several personal stories come to the fore. Is talented golden-boy Vlad honest in his feelings about Ellen? Can cross-dressing Michael have a relationship with his parents? Will one-hit-wonder musical playwrite and now camp counselor Bert Hanley remain mired in drink and cynicism? Fireworks are in store when Fritzi, who slavishly serves glamour girl Jill, is finally told to get a life, and the parents of Jenna, whose jaw has been wired shut in a compromise to avoid being sent to “fat camp”, learn a valuable lesson at the summer’s big end-of-season benefit. —Martin Lewison

Quick Thoughts:

If you were a teenager at the turn of the millennium AND a musical theater lover, then you likely already know “Camp”. And if you’re gay as well, then you have already long ago related with Michael’s struggle. And gotten frustrated with Vlad’s coy “is he?” sexuality game. Camp helped define a generation of theatre kids before we had Glee. Watching it today, the film is a bit dated. But still an enjoyable queer film to watch.