Trends: Where the Boys Are

"By 1970," predicted a transvestite at the end of La Dolce Vita, "the entire world will be homosexual." Looking at some recent American films, the moviegoer might be inclined to believe that the prognosis is already coming true. Hollywood has suddenly discovered homosexuality, and the "third sex" is making a determined bid for first place at the box office.

Unashamedly queer characters are everywhere: in big films (Boom!), little films (P.J.), melodramas (The Fox) and comedies (The Producers). In a new documentary, The Queen,* they parade by the camera in a transvestite...