A Different Story
| Company type | Film |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motion picture |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Paul Aaron (director) |
| Products | Motion picture |
A Different Story is a 1978 American motion picture helmed by director Paul Aaron, featuring performances by Meg Foster and Perry King. Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles, the narrative centers on a gay man (King) and a lesbian woman (Foster) who become roommates and eventually develop a romantic relationship.
Plot
Albert, who works as a chauffeur and companion to the affluent pianist Sills, finds himself homeless after Sills hires a different driver. Stella, a real estate agent acquainted with both men as tenants, discovers Albert living without permission in one of her properties and offers him lodging in her home. In exchange for shelter, Albert takes on cleaning and cooking duties while Stella is at work. Additionally, Albert secures a part-time valet position.
Stella is involved with Chris and openly shares her lesbian identity with Albert. When Phyllis, another of Stella’s partners, confronts them, their relationship continues undeterred. Albert explores his own romantic connections within the gay community, yet he and Stella develop a deepening bond. Stella’s parents mistakenly assume they are romantically involved.
When immigration authorities pursue Albert—an undocumented Belgian national—Stella marries him to avoid his deportation. On Albert’s birthday, they drunkenly share their first sexual encounter and begin living as a heterosexual couple. Stella becomes pregnant and confides in Phyllis, whose distressed reaction leads to a suicide threat that Stella and Albert manage to prevent.
Following the child’s birth, the couple relocates to a new residence. Albert embarks on an apprenticeship in fashion design while Stella pauses her professional career to focus on motherhood. Tensions arise when Stella suspects Albert of infidelity with his employer but later discovers him with a female model. She moves out with their child and threatens divorce. Albert’s efforts at reconciliation falter until he suffers a motorcycle accident; despite his injuries, he recovers as Stella rushes to his side.
Cast
- Meg Foster as Stella Cooke
- Perry King as Albert Walreavens
- Valerie Curtin as Phyllis
- Peter Donat as Sills
- Richard Bull as Mr. Cooke
- Barbara Collentine as Mrs. Cooke
- Guerin Barry as Ned
- Doug Higgins as Roger
- Lisa James as Chris
- Burke Byrnes as Richard II
Critical Response
Reviews from critics varied from lukewarm to unfavorable, with many agreeing that the contrived, conventional conclusion diminished the film’s early strengths.
Janet Maslin of The New York Times commended Meg Foster’s "dynamic energy" but criticized the film for its flawed execution, noting an unsatisfactory musical score, abrupt scene endings, and a confusing timeline. Gene Siskel from the Chicago Tribune rated it two stars, describing it as "condescending" due to its insincere portrayal of sexual orientation. Arthur D. Murphy of Variety observed that despite solid production values, the screenplay devolved into clichéd predictability. Charles Champlin of the Los Angeles Times appreciated the warmth and humor brought by the skilled cast until the narrative succumbed to an expected sitcom-style finale. Gary Arnold from The Washington Post highlighted the chemistry between Perry King and Meg Foster and praised Paul Aaron’s direction for its straightforwardness and affectionate approach.
In contrast, Bill Alpert writing for the Seattle Gay News condemned the movie as exploitative, relying heavily on outdated gay stereotypes and promoting an unproven idea that homosexuality is merely a transient adolescent phase subject to change. Scott Meek in The Monthly Film Bulletin criticized the screenplay for its problematic views on both homosexuality and heterosexuality, concluding that it attempts broad appeal but ultimately satisfies few viewers.
The Time Out Film Guide dismissed A Different Story as a "glossily persuasive" production that depicts 'authentic' gay characters through clichés and stereotypes, making other films such as An Unmarried Woman appear more perceptive regarding relationship dynamics.
Gay rights groups
Several gay rights organizations expressed disapproval of the film due to its clichéd depiction of homosexual individuals and the concept of changing sexual orientation to heterosexuality. The Gay Activists Alliance distributed a letter opposing the movie, while the publication Gay Left criticized it as yet another late-1970s gay-themed film that perpetuated damaging stereotypes. They contended that movies targeting a wide commercial audience frequently portrayed gay characters and relationships in a negative light. Janet Maslin's critique characterized the film's treatment of homosexuality as exploitative, lacking sensitivity, and unpersuasive, reducing Albert's sexual identity to a superficial narrative device.
Home media
Originally under Embassy Pictures' ownership, the movie saw multiple VHS releases—initially by Magnetic Video in 1979 and subsequently by Embassy Home Entertainment in 1985. Following the transfer of rights to Mar Vista Productions, the film was first made available on DVD through Trinity Home Entertainment on July 25, 2006. A Blu-ray version was later released by Scorpion Releasing in 2018.
See also
Bibliography
- Hadleigh, Boze. The lavender screen: the gay and lesbian films: their stars, makers, characters, and critics. Secaucus, N.J: Carol Pub. Group; 1993. Chapter 24.