My Own Private Idaho (1991)

My Own Private Idaho offers a deeply empathetic and non-judgmental portrayal of its LGBTQ+ characters, particularly Mike Waters. Despite the tragic elements of their lives, the film affirms the dignity and complexity of their identities and relationships, framing obstacles as external forces rather than inherent to their queerness, resulting in a net positive impact.

The film implicitly critiques the hypocrisy and superficiality of the dominant societal structures and the privileged class, which historically and culturally align with traditional Christian values. The narrative portrays this conventional world as cold and unfeeling towards the marginalized, contributing to their suffering and contrasting with the more authentic bonds found among the hustlers.