Anyways, the plot revolves around two gay men who have lived together for 39 years and finally get married, a decision that will alter their lives in ways that are unexpected and transforming. We first meet Ben, a seventy-one year old artist, (John Lithgow in a breathtaking performance) and his partner George (Alfred Molina in an equally fine portrayal,) a music teacher in a Catholic school - both excitedly, and nervously preparing for the ceremony and the post- wedding party. From the moment we first view Lithgow and Molina singing a duet together - their voices and theatrics in synch and at odds - tender intimacy is apparent. Ira Sachs and co-writer Mauricio Zacharias have created two remarkably gentle and loving individuals, their intimacy and enduring connection, is both understated and powerfully passionate.
The consequences of ultimately legitimizing their union bear witness to the harsh realities that accompany that choice. Soon after the nuptials, George gets fired from his job, and the economic demands of existing in NYC, forced to sell the apartment in order to find more affordable housing, interrupts their former cadence of living. Having no alternative, George and Ben, temporarily separate to move in with friends and relatives till they can find a home of their own. Molina and Lithgow stunningly convey the anguish of living apart and the intense longing of being united again. It is as if one person is sliced in half – going through the motions, but not fully functioning without the other.
The movie, and the modern romance between John Lithgow and Alfred Molina had the potential to make this film a modern classic, but the last fifteen minutes of the movie seem like it was pieced together all wrong. Maybe the studio got hold of the film and edited it, but I feel the ending, as it stands, did not give the movie the finale it deserved. Love Is Strange was like watching a runner in a marathon that starts off strong, but loses energy in the end. The best part of the movie was Lithgow and Molina, who make you believe quite easily and quickly that they are a couple. However, I wish the movie told the ending a little better. It was well worth finding this copy off of Ebay, and it was well worth watching this beautiful film featuring some wonderful acting though...
MY RATING: 7 out of 10
Here in the UK Love Is Strange limped into town last of last year's big hitters, earlier this year and did not hang around long. I got an American dvd though. Great performanes -but, spoilers ahead: - I agree the unsatisfactory ending. I get it that Lithgow is 71 and not well, but why kill him off here couldn't they share the new apartment for a while. The movie seems to veer off target as we finally focus on the son of their friends, who was not very nice to Lithgow when forced to share a bedroom with him, as we leave Molina alone in the new apartment, we don't know how he is getting along now. I like the scene though when the new apartment falls into his lap, very nicely done. Molina was marvellous too of course in the Joe Orton biopic Prick Up Your Ears, in 1987 ....
ReplyDeleteLove is strange and so is this movie, but in a good way. It's so low key that you barely notice when big things are happening.
ReplyDeleteTruly moving film. This film goes deep into the love that binds and divides families and lovers. In addition to being beautiful in its simplicity this film does a great job with editing and the careful acting of some really wonderful actors and actresses.
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