Lavender Men Review: Uneven But Wildly Potent

Roger Q. Mason shines as the glorious lead role in Lavender Men, the filmic adaptation of Mason and Lovell Holder’s critically-acclaimed theatre production.

All of this is done in the confines of a small theatre, with Taffeta playing a host of characters alongside Pete Ploszek (Captain Marvel) as Abe and Alex Esola (The Young Pope) as Elmer. Small in setting and cast, but vast in scope, Lavender Men is wildly ambitious, but somehow, co-writers Mason and Lovell Holder (Loserville) largely pull it off. 

Taffeta is the largely ignored stage manager of an uninspiring play about the 16th US President. The story it is telling is one everyone knows, delving neither into Abe’s own personal life nor the more complex issues surrounding his office’s abolition of slavery. After an evening ends with Taffeta experiencing physical assault and verbal abuse at the hands of the actor playing Abe on stage (Ted Rooney, Showing Up), they begin to recount his legacy from their own point-of-view, drawing on their own experiences. From here, Lavender Men morphs into something both otherworldly and startlingly realistic. 

It’s a fascinating concept that feverishly spotlights past and present USA, entwining the two and drawing links between both timelines. At the centre of it all is Taffeta, played by an awe-inspiring Mason. Their writing is deeply impressive, but it’s their acting performance which is the highlight of Lavender Men. This is truly a star-in-the-making performance. At first, Mason is withdrawn and deflated, unwilling to voice their opinions after years of mistreatment; when they take control of the film and its story, they become louder and more confident, playing characters from Mary Todd Lincoln to a flamboyant dancing chandelier. It is a performance of incredible energy coupled with gripping emotional vulnerability.

As a film, Lavender Men is just as committed and inspirational as Mason, although it is more uneven and hit-and-miss in its resonance than the lead. The fascinating concept behind the film feels stretched at times. Lavender Men is stuffed with potent quotes, such as the one mentioned previously and others like, “Everybody loves revisionist history!” These aren’t just mere bumper sticker quotes; they have real meaning and emotion behind them, each one laced with an urgent ferocity and enrapturing inspiration. However, sometimes they are packed in alongside weaker scenes and some less effective baggage.

At times, Lavender Men can feel a bit messy in its construction, but for the most part, it sticks the landing. It’s a frequently mad and consistently inspirational film that highlights Mason as a really important voice of joy and power for the LGBTQIA+ community around the world. Melodrama and cutting satire blend together with abandon to ask many questions and demand change. Most of all, it is about helping people take control of their own narratives, ensuring their voice isn’t lost amidst the still-unequal societies in which we live.

Lavender Men will be released in select US theaters on May 2, 2025.