Handle With Care

“Longtime Companion,” a frank look at a group of gay friends in New York City coping with the impact of AIDS on their lives in the 1980s, is the kind of feature film some distributors would give the soft sell. But the Goldwyn Co. plans to pull no punches in marketing the movie, which opens in New York May 11 and here a week later.

“Obviously, it’s very difficult subject matter, and not the easiest marketing job, but we think it’s going to surprise people,” says Tom Rothman, Goldwyn senior veep and worldwide production chief. “It has to be handled with great care, and nurtured.

“We’re addressing the (gay and AIDS) issue head-on. From a marketing point of view, that’s the real question. We’re not in any way afraid of what the movie is about. That’s why we picked it up.”

Trailers for “Longtime Companion” are already appearing in theaters along with mainstream releases. They “mention both AIDS and homosexuality in the first 20 seconds,” Rothman says--and have been drawing applause. “We feel it’s a movie that both gay and non-gay audiences will respond to.”

Produced for American Playhouse Theatrical Films, the picture was written by Craig Lucas and directed by Norman Rene. The sizable ensemble cast includes Bruce Davison, Patrick Cassidy, Dermot Mulroney and Campbell Scott. Some are already doing advance publicity for the film.

“I think all the actors are very proud of it,” Rothman said. “I think only one or two are gay, and I wouldn’t know which ones--it’s none of my business.”

Does it take special courage for mainstream actors to appear in such a film?

“I think so. I think the whole movie is courageous.”