Shimy said:
is it still a two and a half hour gay joke. cause thats what i hated about the first version. just horrible i am ok withhaving the bisexual ideas in there but they seemed so upfront and center in the theatrical version.
Actually, it's a
three and a half hour gay joke now.
No, I'm kidding.
If you were uncomfortable with the bisexuality of Alexander, then you're going to be even more uncomfortable with this edit. Jared Leto's character has an additional scene or two, as well as Alexander's servant Bagoas, the Persian Eunuch (who was all but erased from the previous versions, probably in an effort to "tone down the gay stuff".
But honestly, in my opinion, these scenes do far more good than harm because now these scenes and the whole storyline of those in close orbit of Alexander now has a purpose.
With these additions, Alexander's three lovers: Composed of his childhood friend Haphiestion, his Barbarian wife Roxana, and his eunuch servant Bagoas... Man, Woman, and Transgender...form a triangle around Alexander's inner sanctum. Much like his scheming generals, they are as much in love with him as they are in competition with one another for his attention.
So, is Alexander Gay or Straight or Bisexual? Oliver Stone, I think, said it best in the commentary when he said that Alexander was an explorer by nature. He was looking for the end of the world. It was that driving passion to experience all life had to offer which propelled him to chase his curiosity to the ends of the known world, and he conquered everything along the way.
In short, this is a much more fully fleshed out version. If you've got anywhere above a high-school tolerance level you should be able to see the scenes as more than just "gay stuff", and maybe even empathize with a person who could have a deep, passionate relationship with three different people, with each being every bit as meaningful and complex as the next.
And while not being the absolute center or focus of the story, it does provide for some interesting drama between the characters in the third act.
And it's historically accurate to boot.