‘Common Ground’s’ Trio of Stories Explores Gay Lives

In its title alone, the Showtime movie “Common Ground” announces itself as television that’s out to make a difference.

Well-timed to such hotly debated issues as gays in the military and gay marriage, the movie, which premieres tonight, sets out to find those values that lesbians and gay men share with the larger population--the common ground on which all can meet. In three stories that span 4 1/2 decades, playwrights Paula Vogel, Terrence McNally and Harvey Fierstein show how lesbians and gays have faced witch hunts, arrests, job terminations and family estrangements for attempting to do what other Americans freely and proudly do: serve their country, marry and raise children.

They are ably assisted, for the most part, by director Donna Deitch and a starry lineup of actors that includes Eric Stoltz, Jason Priestley, Helen Shaver, Margot Kidder, Steven Weber and, most notably, young heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas in a breakthrough performance.

Problem is: After a promising start, the movie crumbles under the weight of its ambitions. The action bogs down in historical and sociopolitical detail; the dialogue devolves from conversation to lecture; and the stories indulge in grand gestures that strain plausibility.

Launching the 105-minute program is Vogel’s story, set in 1954 and focusing on a young woman (Brittany Murphy) who is discharged from the Navy after her arrest during a raid on a gay bar. Vogel’s writing remains taut throughout, and Murphy delivers an achingly believable depiction of sexual awakening, confusion, excitement and fear.

McNally’s story--set, as all the episodes are, in the same small Connecticut town--takes place in 1974 and focuses on a high school senior (Thomas) who, sensing he is gay, seeks advice from a teacher (Weber). But the teacher, afraid of compromising his job, remains aloof.

Thomas’ teen--a star swimmer who, nevertheless, is bullied by his teammates--stands tough, even in the gorgeously symbolic moment when he dives deep to drown out all the hatred. The story loses its credibility, however, in a series of unlikely events in the teacher’s classroom.

Fierstein’s story, which takes place in the present and is set in motion by a gay marriage ceremony, is a shambles from the start, built of little more than a pair of alternating sermons delivered by a sketchily developed father (Edward Asner) and son (James LeGros).

“Common Ground” has some insightful things to say; too bad it couldn’t have said them better.

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* “Common Ground” premieres tonight at 8 on Showtime. The network has rated it TV-MA (may be unsuitable for those younger than 17).