To those reviewers who feel this doc about Rock Hudson "offered nothing new," I disagree. What exactly did you expect it to reveal, which way he hung? I won't list them here, but it does indeed offer some new insights and info even to those of us who thought we knew almost everything about Rock Hudson. It not only delves into his personal and professional life from beginning to end, but it focuses on the kind of person he was. I found the doc very well done, thorough, and informative and I especially enjoyed the comments of those who were his lovers. It reveals more about his personal life than anything I've previously seen. Unfortunately, some find fault with everything no matter what the subject is and there's just no pleasing them. They're certainly entitled to their opinion, but I highly recommend this doc. You'll be glad you watched.

It's certainly not news that Rock Hudson led a double life as a world renowned movie star adored by legions of his female fans and a closeted gay man who became the first prominent celebrity victim of AIDS in 1985. This sympathetic 2023 documentary, however, doesn't paint a dour portrait of a tortured soul but rather a self-reliant man who separated his public and private lives through personal finesse and the support of a close circle of friends. Director Stephen Kijak does a masterful job of melding archival footage and contextually relevant clips from Hudson's films to reveal the personal challenges he faced in navigating his carefully presented public image. At the same time, interviews with surviving friends and intimates highlight not only his voracious sexual appetite but his reputation for being a true professional and trustworthy friend. The last section effectively deals with his AIDS diagnosis and his very public physical deterioration including a heartbreaking betrayal from a longtime friend, First Lady Nancy Reagan. Even if you're familiar with his biography, you'll find new surprises here nearly four decades after his death.