Ahead of the Curve
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Docu about groundbreaking magazine for lesbians; language.
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What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
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Ahead of the Curve
Community Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
A Thoughtful Exploration of LGBTQ+ Representation
Educational Documentary
What's the Story?
In AHEAD OF THE CURVE, the founder and publisher of lesbian lifestyle magazine Curve, Franco Stevens, describes being ousted from her family when she came out. Homeless, broke, and devastated, she came to understand more than 20 years ago that the rights and visibility of the gay community, and specifically lesbians, were under constant threat in some precincts of society. Hoping to offer community and a place for lesbians to see themselves and each other, she maxed out credit cards, bet it all on winners at the track, and started a magazine. She won an early debate about placing the word "lesbian" on the cover and recently, as the magazine faced financial problems, she solicited thoughts about what's relevant to younger LGBTQ+ activists. Stevens later sold the magazine and was distressed when the new owner reported that her far glossier version (with no "lesbian" on the cover) was failing. Could Franco help? The narrative focuses largely on Stevens' efforts to create a new forum that will serve the needs of the widening community as it stands today. As news and information moves into the exclusively digital realm, she realizes that reaching the target community and being relevant to that audience will require abandoning the print magazine format and reaching people via their screens.
Is It Any Good?
In Ahead of the Curve, directors Jen Ranin and Rivkah Beth Medow do a good job assembling a wide range of voices and diverse views. They document the way that "lesbian" is no longer thought by a younger generation to be a broad enough term to encompass the diversity of the queer community. Anti-gay clips from television shows of an earlier era are shown and references are made to the pre-legal gay marriage status of LGBTQ+ couples, as well as the precarious situation for gays in the military under the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The movie's diversity demonstrates that the LGBTQ+ community has come a long way, but there is still progress to be made.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the way Franco's mother, who rejected her daughter when she first came out, later came to embrace her proudly. Why do you think she changed her mind?
Why do you think parents might be upset or angry when children come out?
Franco works hard to meet with members of the community to determine what they need and want from her publication. How do you think that improves the quality of the magazine?
Movie Details
- In theaters: May 28, 2020
- On DVD or streaming: April 22, 2024
- Directors: Jen Ranin , Rivkah Beth Medow
- Inclusion Information: Female directors
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Documentary
- Character Strengths: Courage , Perseverance
- Run time: 98 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: April 29, 2024
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Where to Watch
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