When the movie came out I was bothered by many of the things that you listed here. And, I don't feel it holds up. I felt it was an "undone, early release, chopped up mess even then, and when I watched again in the past year I was even more disappointed in the movie and the lack of coherence. I do love a feel good, gay classic, but for that I'll turn to Priscilla or Birdcage! Good review, however and I agree with many of your points. (Gay 70s man here, no film expert for sure!)