Love Is Strange

LOVE IS STRANGE is an interesting film, and one that will probably turn off a lot of viewers once they know what the concept is, but I thought it was a sweet portrayal of an aging couple who just happen to be gay. Alfred Molina and John Lithgow play Ben and George, a recently married couple who have been partners for 39 years. However, once Ben's employer finds out about his marriage (he is the music teacher at a Catholic school), he loses his job and the couple are forced to sell their apartment because they can't afford it anymore. In the meantime while they look for a new apartment, they have to live separately with family and friends. And therein lies the trouble: they haven't been apart in all those years of living together, and the film explores how it affects them emotionally as well as the people they stay with. While watching this I tried to keep the title at the front of my mind at all times, but I still don't know quite how it might strictly apply. The closest thing I can come up with is George's nephew's family, who George ends up staying with. On the one hand, you have this aging couple who haven't been apart a day in their lives together who are now forced to be apart through circumstance; but then you have George's nephew and his wife who live in the same house with their son, and yet each of them feels separated from the other by the way they live their lives. George's nephew is a film producer who has long days away from home, while his wife (played by Marisa Tomei) is a writer who spends most of her time at home trying to write. And on top of that, their son keeps to himself a lot and spends most of his time with Vlad, his only friend at school. The general sense, or message, I got from the film is that it takes losing something to appreciate its true value.Still, whatever it was all supposed to add up to I thought that the performances were excellent. I haven't seen John Lithgow and Alfred Molina this good in years, and they were very believable as a couple who had been together for so long. Marisa Tomei also did great work as George's nephew's wife. I should also mention the soundtrack composed mostly of Chopin, which I really loved. My favorite piece was the "Raindrop" prelude which plays a few times during the film, and my favorite use of it was during a private piano lesson that Ben gives to one of his students. I also appreciated the nods to Ben's religious faith, which never came into conflict with his personal life. Last, but not least, the cinematography and cityscape shots were extremely beautiful. Still, there is one thing which lessens the film's impact in my opinion, and it has to do with the film's ending (of which I won't spoil the details). All I will say is that it feels more like an epilogue in the sense that there is a time jump (and something else) which came completely out of nowhere. It almost felt like they weren't quite sure how to wrap up the film, so they jumped ahead in an effort to give the story some closure. I didn't hate the ending, but I felt that maybe a different ending would have been just as good, possibly better. Still, I liked the film overall. It was a sweet indie drama that felt like a slice of life. On a side note, it kind of makes me never want to live in New York.

The tone of Ira Sachs's movie remains resolutely liberal, as it calls for a "live and let live" attitude in a society which, despite its apparent freedom, nonetheless discriminates against certain people.Long-time partners Ben Hull (John Lithgow), and George Garea (Alfred Molina) decide to marry after thirty-nine years of living together. The ceremony is a happy one, but immediately leads to trouble as George is dismissed from his post at a local Catholic school as a music teacher. Lacking sufficient funds to pay New York's ruinous taxes, the couple are forced out of their apartment after twenty years, and forced to live a nomadic existence. Ben moves in with his nephew Eliot (Darren Burrows) and family, while George shacks up with friendly next-door neighbor Ted (Cheyenne Jackson). The remainder of the film portrays the couple's struggle to survive under difficult, if not impossible circumstances.Stylistically speaking, LOVE IS STRANGE is an elegaic movie, full of long takes focusing on the protagonists' expressions as they realize the shortcomings of their new lives. The soundtrack with its plangent rendering of Chopin's piano music, reinforces the mood: in one sequence we see George giving a private lesson to one of his music students, and trying desperately to keep the tears back as he listens to her playing one of the Preludes. Sachs's camera remains focused on his face, with occasional cuts to the young girl playing, and through this strategy we understand just how affecting music can actually be.On the other hand Sachs celebrates the elderly couple's strength as they manage to overcome adversity and enjoy the pleasures of the moment, such as listening to a classical recital. The camera zooms in on them listening, and their hands slowly meet in a mutual celebration of physical as well as emotional pleasure. Another sequence, taking place in a diner at nighttime, shows the couple bidding farewell to one another; the camera shows them walking down the street together during a glorious sunset, their hands linked together; and subsequently cuts to an understated scene where they embrace. This is the last time we see Ben alive - from then on George has to live the life of a singleton in a newly-rented apartment.Molina and Lithgow give memorable performances - each gesture, or movement of the eyes signaling their longing for one another. The other real star of this film is Christos Voudouris's camera, which photographs some wonderful New York landscapes in late summer and autumn; the skyscrapers towering into cloudless skies; the tree-lined streets offering oases of calm from the bustle of the main avenues; and the tracking shots of iconic sites such as the Metropolitan Museum. From such moments we can understand precisely why George and Ben do not want to leave the center of the city, even though they have been offered temporary - and comfortable - accommodation in Poughkeepsie, two and a half hours' bus-ride away.LOVE IS STRANGE might be at heart a sentimental movie, but remains memorable nonetheless - not only for the quality of the performances, but also for Sachs's cleverly understated direction.

Contrasting the difficulties and sad moments faced by the leads, I couldn’t help but feel the celebration of love and a life well-lived between the two main characters. It was a good balance of light humor and heavy feelings anchored by some excellent acting performances from John Lithgow and Alfred Molina. It left me with a warm heart and a longing for more of this cute couple.

I loved all of the performances in this film. They were every one subtle, believable, and interesting to watch. However, maybe I don’t understand how relationships between friends in New York city work, as the premise that a long term, devoted couple would be separated just because they’re houseless seemed beyond cruel. That feeling never left me as the movie plodded on towards its predictable and lousy ending.It’s really too bad nobody spoke up during the production to point out this obvious flaw.If it’s true that friends in New York don’t even consider blow up mattresses and separation barriers to assist in helping good friends stay close through a difficult period as they look for housing, then I am truly delighted to avoid the burden of its glamor and inflated costs, not to mention the pretense and selfishness.

An incredible story, about two gay men who when they decide to finally tie the knot, they face dismissal from work, segregation and slowly losing everything they worked so hard for. John Lithgow and Alfred Medina in the leading roles are just incredible to watch. Incredible and powerful performances.

This is a wonderful film. Moving in a quiet, understated way and full of insights into how people interact and influence each other. The piano music by Chopin adds significantly to the atmosphere. A film you will want to see again and again. Beautifully directed and acted throughout.

A beautiful film

Product arrived on time and as described. This is a lovely film. The cast are brilliant. Would recommend.

Wonderful message about the value of friendship and family in the art of love to one another and in marriage. A film to watch again and to carry its message over into everyday life.