Love Is Strange-2014

Director Ira Sachs

Starring John Lithgow, Alfred Molina

Scott’s Review #174

Reviewed September 24, 2014

Grade: B

Love Is Strange (2014) is sweet, though not nauseatingly sentimental, and explores many different types of relationships; at the forefront is the same-sex couple Ben and George, played by John Lithgow and Alfred Molina, respectively.

They are a successful New York City couple of a certain age, together for nearly thirty years, and finally legally wed in a low-key ceremony surrounded by friends and family.

George teaches music at a strict Catholic high school where the students and staff know and love him and his new husband.

The bishop doesn’t support his marriage, and he’s fired unceremoniously.

This causes Ben and George to become homeless and rely on family and friends for a roof over their heads.

The film features several secondary character relationships.

Ben’s nephew and wife balance busy careers with a temperamental, rebellious, confused son; Ben’s niece from Poughkeepsie seems neurotic.

Neighbors who are gay police couples have loud parties seemingly every night.

Marisa Tomei, who plays Ben’s niece by marriage, Kate, and Charlie Tahan, who plays Joey, Ben’s great-nephew, are probably the most prominent in the supporting cast.

While well-meaning and accommodating, Kate bottles up her anger and comforts herself with nightly red wine.

Joey lashes out at his great-uncle in frustration, criticizing his artwork and scolding him for using his teen friend in a portrait, a friend whose sexuality is unclear.

Most other characters are not fleshed out well and are there to move the plot along. This is slightly disappointing. I would have preferred a bit more backstory regarding the rest of the cast.

Throughout the film, a few clues about Joey and his friend’s sexuality surface, but they don’t go beyond the surface.

I was curious about the cop’s backstory. How long have they been together? Do they face conflict at work?

Numerous scenes show both cops in uniform running errands or visiting the hospital, which seems to emphasize that cops can be masculine and gay, a fact I love, yet the characters are one-dimensional.

Why is Ben’s niece neurotic? The film doesn’t pursue this at all.

The film belongs to Lithgow and Molina.

The two have such effortless, natural chemistry that the audience instantly believes they have been together for decades. The fact that Lithgow and Molina are lifelong friends in real life surely adds to the realism and naturalness.

Ben is the yin to George’s yang. Lithgow and Molina’s performances are so understated and calming that you might overlook how excellent they are, since they are both low-key characters.

Love Is Strange (2014) is a film about strength, courage, loyalty, and perseverance through life’s challenges.

It is a sensitive and lovely film.

Independent Spirit Award Nominations: Best Feature, Best Male Lead-John Lithgow, Best Supporting Male-Alfred Molina, Best Screenplay