According to critics, The Boys in the Band poignantly explores the obstacles faced by gay men in late '60s New York City. Based on Mart Crowley's eponymous play, a modern Broadway adaptation was produced in 2018, and the main cast returned for the 2020 movie version. Producer extraordinaire Ryan Murphy developed The Boys in the Band for Netflix, and reviewers have been generally impressed by the raw thematic approach.
Set in Manhattan, The Boys in the Band revolves around a house party attended by several gay men. Roommates Michael (Jim Parsons) and Donald (Matt Bomer) host the event, and anticipate the arrival of Michael's Georgetown classmate, Alan (Brian Hutchison); a married man with antiquated views about sexuality. The party is livened up by Larry (Andrew Rannells) and his older partner Hank (Tuc Watkins), along with the steady entertainment provided by Emory (Robin de Jesús). Once Alan shows up, however, tension increases amongst the party guests and builds towards a violent confrontation. The Boys in the Band on Netflix was written by the late Crowley and Ned Martel.
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The Boys in the Band currently has an 86% Tomatometer score at Rotten Tomatoes, with the audience score being slightly higher at 89%. Overall, critics seem to enjoy the cinematic value and strong performances from Parsons and Zachary Quinto as Harold. Most reviews acknowledge the limitations of the Netflix adaptation, primarily due to its late '60s setting, but therein lies the strength of the thematic material. Based on several reviews, critics are impressed with the raw dialogue and frank presentation of how gay men conversed over 50 years ago. The characters are more than comfortable among each other, however someone like Michael seems worried about societal factors that weigh heavy on his mind. In short, The Boys in the Band includes plenty of depth with its script and character arcs. Here are some positive takes on Joe Mantello's Netflix film:
CNN:
"A Netflix movie that can't entirely shake its slightly claustrophobic stage roots, but which provides a stellar showcase for its actors, especially Jim Parsons as the central provocateur."
"This version, produced by Ryan Murphy and performed by the same cast that appeared in the play's 2018 revival on Broadway, is like an unusually strong telescope, giving us a clear and vivid view into a not-so-distant past."
"Superbly cast and ably directed even if it is a bit of an anachronism."
NPR:
"The Netflix film is content to let Crowley's play remain a perfectly preserved artifact from a bad time, without struggling to impose contemporary parallels or meta-meanings atop it. And that's the right impulse."
"Like all great works of art, the story's point has resonances beyond its era and even beyond the specific subject of gay people, generally. It's about what happens when people are marginalized."
Even though The Boys in the Band may resonate with most audiences, several top critics still aren't convinced by the overall filmmaking. In general, the main point of concern appears to be the general mood and tone of the Netflix adaptation, with many reviewers pointing out that The Boys in the Band doesn't feel timely or fresh. It's not that Mantello's film doesn't have a strong message, but rather that it feels stuck in the past and doesn't necessarily comment on what gay men experience in the here and now. Still, even the most skeptical takes acknowledge the film's value and relevancy within LGBTQ cinema. Here's are some critical views of The Boys in the Band:
"I prefer, and recommend, the original, but I'm on the fence about this one."
"What Mantello has done with the film is, unfortunately, just as opaque and frustrating as what was on stage."
"This new Boys in the Band is a Matryoshka doll of period piecery, a flashback of a flashback of a flashback."
"Whether or not you think Crowley's very of-its-moment piece still has something to say to audiences of the 21st century, it's a play that deserves better than this waxwork karaoke."
"This new screen version lacks the raw power and intensity of the theatrical experience.... The forceful performances lose much of their impact on the small screen."
The Boys in the Band on Netflix has been mostly well-received for its tight focus and stellar performances. The primary conflict stems from the characters' unique perspectives as gay men living in New York City, but the subtext also touches upon a universal human element about life, love, and loss. A character like Alan clearly has some unresolved issues to address, but he's not bogged down by what he's supposed to be. Instead, Alan clings to what he has - a wife, and a friend in Michael who may ultimately help provide clarity about the future. The Boys in the Band doesn't provide a firm conclusion, but rather explores the realities faced by a select group of men in a specific time and place in America.