Hypocrisy Tonight!

Director Kirby Dick has made a career of expertly exposing hypocrisy: in Twist of Faith, his target was the Catholic Church; in This Film Is Not Yet Rated, it was Hollywood. In Outrage (out on DVD today), a powerful and disturbing documentary we featured when it hit theaters back in May, Dick has set his sights on allegedly closeted politicians who oppose gay civil rights legislation and AIDS funding.

The gripping film manages to make salacious gossip and tales told out of school feel justified, imperative even, to bringing honesty to the political process. Sen. Larry Craig, whose "wide stance" and tendency to tap his foot in bathroom stalls made him the poster boy for closeted politicians, is just the tip of the duplicitous iceberg. With ammunition gathered by intrepid reporters and bloggers, Dick systematically builds cases against many lawmakers, most notably — and perhaps most damning — Charlie Crist, governor of Florida (who is seeking election to the U.S. Senate), the only state where it’s illegal for gays and lesbians to adopt.

Outrage is definitely preaching to the choir, but it’s also an urgent rallying of the troops. Once you’re rallied, the film’s not so clear on what you should do, except maybe come out to everyone you can and encourage your friends to do the same. Still, you could draw this conclusion: If you happen to have sex with a closeted, anti-gay politician, it might do the gay community some good if you take photos. We’re just sayin’.


Outrage is available today from Magnolia Home Entertainment.