Queerguru’s Ris Fatah reviews THE GREATEST an award winning drama about queer life in the 1960s

Before 1969’s Stonewall riots, queer life in New York was largely quite brutal. Homophobia was rife. The NYPD regularly raided the few gay bars that existed, harassing, beating and arresting patrons on trumped-up charges, often releasing their names to the press and their families, outing them to cause maximum distress. This frequently led to job losses and banishment from family life. The bars were largely owned by the mafia, dancing was forbidden and over-priced drinks were the norm. Conversion therapy was regularly prescribed by doctors to cure the ‘illness’ of being homosexual.

The Greatest, a new award-winning drama written and directed by Ryan Sarno, takes us back to the early 1960s and explores the angst-ridden double life lived by newly-wed twenty-something New Yorker Jay (Isaac Nevrla), who juggles his married life with Beverly (Isabela Jacobsen) and his not-so-secret affair with his boyfriend Ricky      (Sergio Acevedo) against the backdrop of harsh homophobia.

Life on the surface is good for young Jay. He’s handsome, athletic, in love with Beverly and doing well at his father’s New York law firm. Something’s missing though, and he realises what this is when he meets sexy barman Ricky whilst spending a day with his family at a local beach club. Jay’s busy though so he puts Ricky to the back of his mind whilst he focuses on his forthcoming marriage, career progression and new house purchase. A baby boy follows and life ticks along until, sometime later, Jay bumps into Ricky again. This time the two men become more intimate and plan an afternoon together alone at the beach.

Meanwhile Beverly is bored at home. Dressed-to-the-nines to do the house work, she chain-smokes her way through her dull days of childcare and housekeeping. One afternoon she finds Ricky’s number, calls it and realises Jay is having an affair. What can she do though? She’s a young parent with no income or career of her own, and a lavish lifestyle to lose if she walks out. The gossip-fuelled conversations at her local beauty salon are full of tales of extra-marital affairs so her predicament is almost normalised.

Jay’s relationship with Ricky develops and the two spend many evenings together at a local gay dive bar whilst Jay is supposedly working late, as well as back in bed at Ricky’s humble apartment. Although the two men are from somewhat different sides of the tracks, they connect well and share a strong physical chemistry. Ricky is far more comfortable in his queer skin than Jay is, who is still very much in the closet. Matters reach a head one night when the bar is raided by the police and both men are arrested.

Sarno has created a beautifully heartfelt piece of work with The Greatest. Mostly set in the 1960’s the story also touches on the present day as well as a brief trip to the 1980’s. 1960’s New York is seamlessly re-created by the strong cast combined with great costumes, make-up, set design and art direction. The inclusion of vintage TV footage adds to the authenticity. Nevrla, Jacobsen and Acevedo shine as the troubled trio who skilfully exhibit a glut of emotions. They are admirably supported by the rest of the cast, particularly Geoff Burt, David Sanchez and Tatyany Jacobsen who respectively play old Jay, Ricky and Beverly. The tricky subject-matter is thought-provoking and is a reminder that many of the homophobic issues faced by Jay and Ricky remain in society to this day. Another important message from the film is that life is short and it’s of paramount importance to live your truest life, to your values, and not that based on the values of those around you. Recommended.

Queerguru’s Contributing Editor Ris Fatah is a successful fashion/luxury business consultant  (when he can be bothered) who divides and wastes his time between London and Ibiza. He is a lover of all things queer, feminist, and human rights in general. @ris.fatah