A Very Natural Thing (1974), directed by Christopher Larkin, holds a significant place in queer cinema history as one of the first American feature films to present a gay love story with the dignity, nuance, and emotional weight traditionally reserved for heterosexual romances. Released just five years after the Stonewall riots, the film was groundbreaking in its honest portrayal of same-sex desire, intimacy, and emotional complexity — and it remains a poignant cultural time capsule.
The story follows David (Robert Joel), a former monk who leaves his religious life in pursuit of personal freedom and love in 1970s New York City. Working as a schoolteacher by day, David begins exploring the city’s vibrant but often closeted gay scene. He eventually meets Mark (Curt Gareth), a free-spirited filmmaker, and the two form a relationship. Their bond is romantic and real — full of passion, tension, and very human flaws. Yet, when their ideals around love and commitment diverge, the relationship begins to unravel.
Unlike many queer films of its era (or even decades later), A Very Natural Thing treats homosexuality not as a tragic affliction or scandalous deviation, but — as the title affirms — something natural, tender, and deserving of full expression. It portrays gay men as complex individuals seeking connection, not caricatures, victims, or punchlines.
Visually, the film reflects its time — a blend of naturalistic cinematography and gentle pacing, with long, observational shots of New York life in the early ’70s. It embraces moments of silence and introspection. Though modest in production value, the film’s sincerity and radical compassion elevate it far beyond its indie limitations.
Critically, the film was ahead of its time — praised by some for its candor, dismissed by others for its simplicity. But viewed now, it’s quietly revolutionary. The inclusion of a Pride parade (footage from the real 1973 NYC march) and scenes of everyday domesticity between two men were radical acts of representation in an era still dominated by censorship and coded queerness.
In a fictional follow-up — A Very Natural Life — we revisit David 20 years later, now in his 50s, living as a quietly out educator in a changing New York. The AIDS crisis has reshaped the landscape of queer life and love, and David finds himself mentoring a younger generation of activists and artists — including a passionate young man who reminds him of his first love, Mark.
As they navigate generational differences, David is confronted with his own choices: What did he sacrifice for love? What did he gain by living authentically? Can late-in-life connection offer the same vitality as youthful romance — or something deeper?
This imagined sequel would explore legacy, memory, and healing — a film about living long enough to witness the world change, and the quiet triumph of surviving with your heart intact.
