Thanks to an abundance of streaming services, it’s easier than ever to watch interesting lesbian programming whenever we want. The challenge is to actually find those titles, which can be a daunting task. I’ve put together a list of movies and TV shows currently streaming which have meant something to me throughout my lesbian cinematic life. It’s an eclectic list and I was pleasantly surprised to find a few movies that I thought had long ago disappeared into the cobwebs of my memories. Oh the wonders of aging and modern technology. Hopefully, there’s something that will pique your interest as well.
“Family” “We Love You Miss Jessup” (Season Three, Episode Six) Tubi
“Family” centered on the close knit Lawrence family, who faced a myriad of problems each week. The series brilliantly explored “forbidden” social issues, especially in “We Love You Miss Jessup” in which daughter Buddy (McNichol) discovers that her favorite teacher (Blair Brown) might be fired because she is, as a parent puts it, an “avowed lesbian.” Buddy is confused and scared, while her outraged parents (James Broderick, Sada Thompson) jump right in to help. But are they too late to save Miss Jessup? As a teen, the series was must-see TV, but as a closeted young lesbian, watching this uplifting episode was like stepping into the gay sun for the first time.
“A Woman Accused” (AKA “In the Glitter Palace”) The Roku Channel
After its initial run on network TV, I never again thought I would lay eyes on this 1977 made for TV movie. Part murder mystery, part lesbian trope hell (let’s blackmail the wealthy lesbians!), the film features a refreshingly happy lesbian couple in a bit of a crisis. Diana Scarwid plays Casey, a wealthy young woman who’s falsely accused of murdering a blackmailer. Barbara Hershey is girlfriend Ellen who turns to ex-boyfriend and defense lawyer Vince (Chad Everett) to take the case. This movie was “controversial” back in the day because of all the lesbians coming at us all at once, but mainly because it’s hard to concentrate on much else when Hershey and Scarwid burn those gazes at each other. (Please note: the streaming copy unfortunately has extremely poor audio).
Windows (1980) iTunes with Paramount Plus
Respected cinematographer Gordon Willis directed this epic homophobic nightmare of a thriller about yet another wealthy lesbian (Elizabeth Ashley) who comes up with a seriously sick plan to get her neighbor (Talia Shire) to fall in love with her. “Windows” is truly appalling, but I feel it should be seen as a scary reminder of how “highly” we were regarded by the film industry back in the day and to celebrate that it isn’t 1980 anymore.
Richard’s Things (1980) Tubi
Liv Ullmann, who’s so memorable in the films of Ingmar Bergman, stars in this rarely seen, far-fetched British drama about a recent widow who’s sexually drawn to her late husband’s mistress (Amanda Redman) after tracking her down for some sort of confrontation. Ullmann and Redman are genuinely flirty and seductive, but spend so much time playing head games and sharing memories of the dead husband, that he’s probably getting his kicks from the great beyond.
Losing Chase (1996) Pluto, Amazon, others
Helen Mirren’s Golden Globe winning performance is the best thing about this moving portrait of a woman coming out later in life. She plays the charismatic Chase Phillips, who has a very public mental crisis in her exclusive Martha’s Vineyard community. Embarrassed husband Richard (Beau Bridges) hires a companion (Kyra Sedgwick) to keep hostile Chase in her place. In Elizabeth’s calming presence, though, Chase starts to question whether her feelings for the woman mean much more than friendship.
Internal Affairs (1990) Amazon Prime and Others
A gritty film about a corrupt cop (Richard Gere) investigated by internal affairs detective Ray Avilla (Andy Garcia) and his partner Amy Wallace (Laurie Metcalf) doesn’t exactly scream lesbian heaven. But it’s on the list because of the absolutely no nonsense performance by Metcalf who casually outs herself in a truly hilarious and unguarded moment. It’s a great scene that showcases Metcalf’s humor and talent. But you will also adore how her character proves her courage beyond the call of duty, despite all the blatant homophobia around her.
Entre Nous (1983) Amazon
When this touching French drama about was first released, I vividly recall how reviewers danced around what seems obvious now: it’s a movie about lesbians in post WWII France. Isabelle Huppert plays Lena, a bored middle class wife and mother who meets and becomes flustered around married and enchanting Madeleine (Miou-Miou). The film does indeed tread lightly if flirtingly around the subject matter, but the eye catching 50s fashions and lovely performances make it a classic from director Diane Kurys.
Rachel, Rachel (1968) Max (formerly HBO Max)
Paul Newman directs wife Joanne Woodward in this rather quiet character study, nominated for four Oscars, about a shy and unmarried teacher living in a horrible small town. But the quiet is shattered all at once when Rachel’s best friend Calla (Estelle Parsons) pours out her lesbian lust in a wonderfully jolting, out of nowhere scene. I won’t disclose what happens, but suffice to say, the rest of the film becomes a momentary blur. By the time you catch your breath, you will have been left speechless by Parsons’ astonishing performance, which, in a just world, would have won her that Oscar.
X, Y and Zee (1972) Tubi
Elizabeth Taylor stars as Zee, a beautifully obnoxious and vengeful wife of cheating architect Robert (Michael Caine) in this delirious melodrama. When Robert hooks up with reserved dress designer Stella (Susannah York), Zee’s out of control tormenting of the adulterous duo is a marvel to behold, even going so far as to exploit Stella’s sapphic past in a zinger of a climax.
Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) Max (formerly HBO Max)
While Peter Weir’s haunting and mesmerizing period piece grapples with the mysterious and metaphysical disappearance of a group of schoolgirls and their teacher, there’s a secondary character whose story deserves our attention. She’s Sara (Margaret Nelson), a quiet student at the school whose love for Miranda (Anne Lambert), is passionate, all consuming and depicted with rare sensitivity. And Nelson’s restrained performance of a troubled, deeply feeling young woman is painfully felt.
Greta (2018) Amazon Prime and others.
There’s more than meets the eye in this weirdly entertaining thriller about a lonely older woman (Isabelle Huppert) who terrorizes the younger woman (Chloe Grace Moretz) she meets by chance. But when Greta pointedly describes her life as a “well of loneliness,” the title of Radclyffe Hall’s classic lesbian novel, I had to wonder where the filmmakers were going with that. Thankfully, Huppert’s performance is so over the top ridiculous, fascinating and horrific all at once, you don’t have time to think too deeply about much of anything.
The Handmaid’s Tale (1990) Amazon Prime, Apple TV
This first adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s futuristic novel with Natasha Richardson as Offred is, unfortunately, not as good as the riveting Hulu series. But it is worthwhile almost solely for Elizabeth McGovern as Offred’s best friend Moira, a lesbian accused of “gender treachery.” Quick witted and defiant, McGovern makes you wish that Atwood’s horror story had revolved around brave and courageous lesbians like her living in a patriarchal nightmare.
Two of Us (2019) Hulu and others
In this superlative French film, Nina (Barbara Sukowa) and Madeleine (Martine Chevallier) are a happy lesbian senior couple whose relationship is hidden from everyone including Madeleine’s grown children. But when a health crisis hits Madeleine, Nina’s ways of coping with the stress and silence become increasingly bold and even a little scary. Chevallier is terrific, and the great Barbara Sukowa, who I first fell in love with in the superb 1981 German film “Marianne and Juliane,” is as incredible as ever, giving a performance of a lifetime in a film showcasing her exceptional talents.
