In another wonderful case of “timing is everything”, this fanciful tale regarding Abraham Lincoln’s partial motto “stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong” was more than just words to live by but, quietly, of course, words to love by, intriguingly explored using a play within the film, helmed by its unflappable, stoic, unlucky in love stage manager to shine a lavender light on the potential forbidden fruit of one of America’s most revered commanders in chief. Seen in 2025, the notion and storytelling are an incredible contrast to the current occupant of the White House, whose love of self far, far surpasses any hope of genuine affection, much less commitment to another human being.
Keeping these imaginative proceedings on time and on point (very nearly en pointe, at times) is Roger Mason playing Tafeta and a host of other characters on all sides of the sexual divide. It’s a performance for the ages—both then and now—imbued with pride, humility, vulnerability, resolve, and acceptance. Three cheers for much more!
As Abe, the president-to-be then White House occupant, Pete Ploszek is appropriately confident, determined, barely reckless and mindful of a life fuelled by opinions that most certainly can make or break him. His inner dilemma with the love that dare not speak its name is simultaneously ahead of its time and still in wide existence today.
Roger Mason delivers a powerful performance as Tafeta in Lavender Men, navigating passion, vulnerability, and forbidden love within the film’s stylized theatrical world.
“…a lavender light on the potential forbidden fruit of one of America’s most revered commanders in chief.”
Handsomely rounding out this compelling trio falls to Alex Esola, playing so much more than defender, cheerleader, swim partner, and hopeful lover Elmer. As circumstances require/evolve, Esola especially excels in unabashed verbal tone and silently alluring body language.
As good as the acting is, the real star of the production is the writing trust (Holder and Mason—who also wrote the stage play), leaving us with lines ranging from “No queens in a democracy” (even as Trump prepares for a crown fitting) through “God save me from great men, there’s enough of them right now ruining everything” (fill in your own list of “them”) to “Our constitution is strong!” (that notion soon to be decided).
Expertly capturing every frame is cinematographer Matthew Plaxco, while editor Morgan Hasley seamlessly binds it all together on stage or off, way back when or just about now.
It’s a film that can’t help but spark conversations, confrontations, and all manner of collaborations near or far from the ballot box. But surely we can all sing/hum a chorus of “Pennies from Heaven” as we earnestly try to sort out what really happened then or what’s actually happening today.
"…One fanciful tale of love..."
