Watch Beautiful Darling

Beautiful Darling is a biographical documentary film that chronicles the life of Candy Darling, a transgender actress and Warhol Superstar known for her role in the cult classic film "Women in Revolt." The film is an intimate portrayal of Darling's life from her early childhood days as a boy named James Lawrence Slattery in Queens, New York, to her rise as a prominent figure in the avant-garde art scene of the 1960s and 70s.

Directed by James Rasin and narrated by actress Chloë Sevigny, Beautiful Darling features rare footage of Darling's performances, interviews with her friends and colleagues, as well as audio tapes of conversations with filmmaker Jeremiah Newton, who was both her close friend and roommate.

The film captures Darling's struggles with her identity, her tumultuous relationships with men, including her obsession with playwright Tennessee Williams, and her battle with cancer, which ultimately claimed her life at the age of 29.

The documentary also sheds light on Darling's relationship with Andy Warhol, who was instrumental in launching her career as a performer. Darling appeared in several of Warhol's films, including Flesh and Women in Revolt, and was a fixture at his famous studio, The Factory.

The film explores the complex dynamics of their relationship, which was both supportive and fraught with tension. Darling was a muse and collaborator to Warhol, but she also often felt unsatisfied with the level of recognition she received for her contributions to his work.

Beautiful Darling also features interviews with Warhol's other collaborators, including Holly Woodlawn, who was also a transgender actress and starred in Trash and Women in Revolt alongside Darling.

The film delves into the gender politics of the era and the impact that Darling and other transgender artists had on shaping the cultural zeitgeist of the time. It also examines the challenges that Darling faced as a transgender woman in a world that was largely intolerant of her lifestyle.

Despite her relatively short life, Darling left an indelible mark on the art world and on the LGBTQ+ community. Beautiful Darling is a tribute to her legacy and a poignant reminder of the struggles and triumphs of those who blazed a trail for greater acceptance and representation.

Overall, Beautiful Darling is a fascinating and moving documentary that offers a rare glimpse into the life of a pioneering artist and a transgender icon. It is an important film that sheds light on the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community and the enduring power of art to create change and inspire hope.

Beautiful Darling is a 2010 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3 and a MetaScore of 69.