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Beefcake

✭ ✭ ✭   Read critic reviews

Canada, United Kingdom, France · 1998
1h 31m
Director Thom Fitzgerald
Starring Daniel MacIvor, Joshua Peace, Jack Griffin Mazeika, Carroll Godsman
Genre Documentary, Drama, History

Thom Fitzgerald's provocative blending of fiction and documentary tells the story of Bob Mizer, the pioneering founder of the Athletic Model Guild. This company produced still photographs and short films detailing men's beauty and chiseled physiques. This film looks at the 1950's muscle men's magazines that were primarily purchased by the underground homosexual community.

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What are people saying?

What are critics saying?

60

Variety by Dennis Harvey

As a mix of nonfiction and wafer-thin drama, however, it's a genial mess in which both elements emerge undercooked

50

Film.com by Ernest Hardy

Like the melancholy remininces of an old relative who lived through an exciting, even harrowing time, but no longer possesses the mental faculties to really flesh out the tale they're spinning.

50

New York Daily News by Jami Bernard

This movie's attempt to reinvent Mizer as a First Amendment hero isn't as effective as its triumphant display of beefcake, which is, after all, the movie's raison d'etre.

40

Chicago Reader by Lisa Alspector

Ultimately this is a sharp-focus issue movie, decrying intolerance as it explores the effects of labeling, the complexity of fetishizing, and the differences between business and crime.

67

Austin Chronicle by Russell Smith

There's an undeniable energy, originality and -- most hearteningly -- optimism here that makes Beefcake well worth your time, shortcomings and all.

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