Parting Glances (1986): Cast & Plot
Parting Glances is a 1986 comedy drama directed by Bill Sherwood, starring Steve Buscemi as Nick, Richard Ganoung and John Bolger. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Bill Sherwood
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Rondo Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Parting Glances About?
The premise of Parting Glances without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
An intimate, low‑budget drama follows Michael and Robert, two gay men sharing a day in Brooklyn before Robert departs on a work assignment in Africa. As they reminisce, Michael wrestles with lingering feelings for his friend Nick, who is battling AIDS, confronting love, loss, and uncertainty.
Parting Glances Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- gay couple
- queer cinema
- fire island
- music store
- gay character
- homosexual character
- gay interest
- gay
- gay husband
- gay kiss
- gay relationship
- twinkie
+38 more Show fewer
- gay slur
- independent film
- whip creme
- beach
- novel
- yellow pages
- ex boyfriend ex boyfriend relationship
- seaplane
- two word title
- reference to africa
- ghost
- armor
- playing cards
- fruit fly
- intellectual
- change
- fear of dying
- loft
- reference to vermeer
- breaking a dish
- indoor plant
- vito russo test passed
- man in stocking feet
- straight actor gay character
- man sits on a another man's lap
- bare chested man
- watching a video
- man wears socks
- reference to wolfgang amadeus mozart
- male male hug
- scene based on a painting
- new york
- friend
- africa
- apartment
- kitchen
- husband wife relationship
- going away party
Parting Glances Cast & Characters
Steve Buscemi leads the cast as Nick, with Richard Ganoung as Michael and John Bolger as Robert. Directed by Bill Sherwood; 32 actors are credited in all.
- Director Bill Sherwood
-
Steve Buscemi as Nick - Richard Ganoung as Michael
- John Bolger as Robert
- Adam Nathan as Peter
Also Starring in Parting Glances
· 28 more- Patrick Tull Cecil
- Yolande Bavan Betty
- Kathy Kinney Joan
- Andre Morgan Terry
- Victor Rivers Hearing-impaired person #2 (disco)
- Nicholas Hill Cab Driver
- Bob Koherr Sam
- David Lines Bearded Man in Suit - Party
- Michael Medeiros Tall Muscleman - Pool Dream
- Nada Liselotte
- Daniel Haughey Commendatore - Ghost
- Lori Romero Customer - Record Store
- Elaine Swayneson Jamaican Woman - Party
- Cam Brainard Ricky
- Hanna Hartowicz Chris's Mother
- Eric Miller Brawny Muscleman - Pool Dream
Show all 32 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Richard Wall Douglas
- Kristin Moneagle Sarah
- Jim Selfe Douglas's Sidekick
- John Siemens Dave
- Theodore Ganger Klaus
- Patrick Ragland Ex-Seminarian
- Sylwia Hartowicz Chris - Little Girl
- Lee Greenstein Lady - Record Store
- Jordan McLean Boy - Record Store
- Markus Lawson African Man - Party
- Gardiner Kendall Hearing-impaired person #1 (disco)
- Al Hughes Jogging Muscleman - Pool Dream
Parting Glances Plot Summary
What happens in Parting Glances from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 6-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Robert and Michael, a gay couple in their late twenties, live together in New York City, sharing a small apartment and a life built on routine, affection, and the quiet ache of impending distance. The opening sequences drift in near-silence as they wander the city streets and pad around their home, underscoring the tenderness and unspoken strain that mark their relationship. When Robert reveals he’ll be leaving for a two-year work assignment in Africa, Michael, a literary editor, remains behind, trying to anchor the moment with ordinary gestures even as the mood darkens with the reality of separation.
Full summary
The whole story of Parting Glances, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Parting Glances?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What are the names of the main gay couple living together in New York City?
Cars in Parting Glances
11 cars on screen, including the 1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine and the 1974 Checker Taxicab.
-
1980 Cadillac Fleetwood Limousine Minor role -
1974 Checker Taxicab Minor role -
1981 Oldsmobile Omega Minor role -
1981 Buick Century Wagon Background role
Parting Glances Also Known As
5 alternative titles, including “Прощальные взгляды” and “Miradas en la despedida”.
- Also known as
-
- Прощальные взгляды
- Miradas en la despedida
- Abschiedsblicke
- 离别秋波
- 파팅 글랜시즈
Seen Parting Glances?
Movies Like Parting Glances
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Beside Still Waters, Glances and Between Here & Now.
Parting Glances FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Parting Glances, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Parting Glances?
Parting Glances runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was Parting Glances released?
Parting Glances was released on February 19, 1986.
Who directed Parting Glances?
Parting Glances was directed by Bill Sherwood.
Who is in the cast of Parting Glances?
Parting Glances stars Steve Buscemi as Nick, Richard Ganoung as Michael and John Bolger as Robert, among 32 credited actors.
Does Parting Glances have a post-credit scene?
No. Parting Glances has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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