Love Is Strange

Dir: Ira Sachs

2014

*****

Ira Sachs' romantic drama Love Is Strange is one of the sweetest films of 2014. John Lithgow and Alfred Molina play Ben and George, a loving couple who decide to marry after being together for 39 years. Soon after the marriage, George, a member of the church who works as a music teacher in a local catholic school, is sacked from his job. His sexuality and relationship with Ben had never been an issue with the school before but governing bodies decide that he can no longer work there, now that he is married to a man. With Ben being a little older and now retired, money suddenly becomes an issue and they are forced out of the New York apartment they have shared together for many years. They ask friends to rally round and help them with temporary accommodation but due to a lack of space, they are both separated. Ben stays with his nephew, his wife and their young son Joey whom he ends up sharing a bunk-bed with. His nephew's wife (Marisa Tomei) works at home as a writer and fast becomes irritated with Ben's habits. Meanwhile George is having the opposite problem. He is sleeping on the couch of their former neighbours, two gay cops, who like to party loud and frequently. The pair miss each other’s company greatly and meet up as much as they can and console each other while ultimately feeling unwanted, just months after their wedding and feeling tremendously loved by everyone. It's a beautifully subtle look at commitment and love in the face of adversity. Most films that deal with civil rights issues and homophobia tend to be all high-drama, with shocking conclusions, violence etc. Love Is Strange is quite the opposite and isn't that sort of film but is, in a way, far more effective. Losing an income is a devastating reality for many people and to be dismissed from a job unfairly and due to discrimination is appalling, but it happens. Love is Strange isn't directly about that though, it's about the bigger picture. It looks at friends, family and attitude and it looks at two men in love, not just as an excuse to make a statement but for what they are, two very normal people in love. Their issue isn't necessarily connected to their sexuality either. Ben and George are gay men but they are also old men, gentle men and somewhat naive men. They're not painted as victims but they are a good example of a broken system. Most importantly, they are a beautiful example of a loving relationship and how beautiful that is no matter who or what you are. The performances from Lithgow and Molina are breathtakingly real and are my favourite of 2014. It's the perfect love story, unfortunately real life isn't as perfect and just when you want the film to go all Hollywood and go all happy, Ira Sachs, to his credit, reminds you that real life has a way of getting in the way of all that. Watch with a huge box of tissues to hand.