It isn't surprising that the gay-rights documentary "Out of the Past" practically ignores the other side of the story. What is surprising is that it botches the job of presenting its intended storyline.
That isn't to say the movie is completely worthless. It has some intermittently interesting moments, most of which are the interview segments with Kelli Peterson, the Salt Lake woman who co-founded the controversial Gay Straight Alliance at East High School in 1996.
Actually, concentrating solely on Peterson's story would have made a much better movie. She's a charismatic and well-spoken personality, and even if you disagree with her logic or her arguments, at least she might provoke some thought about them.
However, director Jeff Dupre and screenwriter Michelle Ferrari take so much time trying to broaden the film's scope — by comparing Peterson's efforts to those of other historic gay-rights activists — that the interviews with Peterson and her family wind up taking a back seat.
The real kicker is an emotional meeting between Peterson and Barbara Gittings, who has lobbied for gay rights for more than 40 years, but it, too, is glanced at all too briefly.
In addition, the superficial life sketches of other activists — 17th-century Puritan cleric Michael Wigglesworth; 19th-century novelist Sarah Orne Jewett and her companion, philanthropist Annie Fields; and early 20th-century organizer Henry Gerber — don't do any of their stories justice.
Making things worse are the emotionless readings of their diary entries and other writings, which are given nondescript narration by actors Edward Norton, Gwyneth Paltrow and Linda Hunt.
"Out of the Past" is not rated but would probably receive a PG-13 for some scenes of homosexual affection, frank discussion of homosexual activities, use of some vulgar gestures and mild profanity.