recall a time when David tried on his sister's wedding dress, accidentally tripped, and fell down the stairs, still wearing it. September 10, 1988 Fuzzy and Lisa are volunteering answering phones at GMHC. Willy is a "buddy" to a GMHC client, Alberto (Michael Carmine). Howard has been diagnosed with AIDS. Although it is not mentioned, the presumption is that Paul has died. Howard uses his remaining fame to raise money for AIDS causes by hosting a benefit which includes a performance by Finger Lakes Trio of the Village People song "YMCA" performed in a pastiche of chamber music style. July 19, 1989 Willy, Fuzzy and Lisa walk along the beach. They talk about an upcoming ACT UP demonstration. They talk about remembering a time before AIDS and wonder about finding a cure. The film ends with a momentary fantasy sequence, with the friends and others lost to AIDS appearing with them on the beach, before they vanish again and the three are left to walk off the deserted beach while the song "Post-Mortem Bar", by Zane Campbell, plays on the soundtrack. Cast Production The beach house featured in the film is located in Fire Island Pines, New York and was built in 1958. Critical reception The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics. Rotten Tomatoes reports a score of 91% based on 22 reviews with an average rating of 7.7/10. The site's consensus reads, "Longtime Companion is a sensitive ensemble AIDS drama, lensed with sympathy which builds to a moving finale". Roger Ebert wrote “Longtime Companion is about friendship and loyalty about finding the courage to be helpful and the humility to be helped.” Peter Travers from Rolling Stone commented “Funny, Touching and Vital, Longtime Companion is the best American movie so far this year. It is also, astonishingly, the first major feature to detail the gay community’s battle against the AIDS epidemic.” Awards and nominations The film was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1990 Cannes Film Festival. See also An Early Frost (1985) Buddies (1985) Parting Glances (1986) Fire Island Pines, New York References External links 1989 films 1989 LGBT-related films American LGBT-related films Films directed by Norman René Films set in Long Island Films set in New York City Films shot in New York (state) Films set in the 1980s Gay-related films HIV/AIDS in American films Sundance Film Festival award winners The Samuel Goldwyn