John Lithgow and Alfred Molina's chemistry is remarkably sincere, in Ira Sach's latest feature, "Love Is Strange". Written by Scott Gentry.

“Love Is Strange” (15)
Directed by: Ira Sachs.
Starring: John Lithgow, Alfred Molina, Marisa Tomei, Darren E. Burrows and Charlie Tahan. 
Rated: ‘15’ for containing strong language.
Running time: 94 minutes.
Released in UK cinemas from the 6th of February (West End) and the 13th of February (Nationwide), 2015.

Once again, acclaimed filmmaker Ira Sachs has returned to cinema with yet another drama, focussing heavily upon the subject of gay relationships. His previous feature (“Keep the Lights On”) followed the lives of two young and prosperous gay men, whereas his latest piece revolves around two much older men, a same-sex couple named Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina). Having lived together for almost 40 years, the pair have finally decided to tie the knot, which unfortunately results in George being promptly fired from his teaching post in the music department of a Catholic school, once the archdiocese learns of his matrimonial activities. Ben is sadly retired, and due to the expensive apartment in which they live, they are forced to reach out to their friends and relatives (Marisa Tomei, Darren Burrows etc) in order to find a place to stay until the pair can get back on their feet, requiring the couple to live in separate accommodation, placing them further away from each other than they’ve ever been before. Soon patience, and the limits of Ben and George’s love is put to the test, prompting the question, can love truly endure? 

“Love Is Strange” is most definitely not a romantic comedy. In fact, this is perhaps one of the most delicate and intimate love stories seen in some time, which can not only be related to gay relationships, but also love of any kind. Sachs is perhaps treading over already-covered ground, but in another sense he isn’t. This is perhaps a spiritual (lighter in tone) sequel to “Keep The Lights On”, showing the development of love in old age, and also the effects which life has on us, in a realistic manner, which is undeniably relatable. The piece itself has unfortunately been marketed wrongly as a comedy, whereas Sachs himself has written and directed a clearly astute film with very little aspects of comedy, clearly designed to make you think about what love means to you, whilst absorbing the events on-screen.


The film is also filled with wonderfully affecting and intimate moments shared between its distinctly rich and engaging characters, which help to make up the better sections of the film, when Sachs finally decides to stop imitating Terrence Malick in scenes made up of (inaudible) shots of New York City, and embraces his own style. This is particularly evident in a short but delicate scene, in which Ben and George visit a bar, and their love reignites upon the screen in a deliberately heart-warming, yet deserved manner.  After a short while, the charm begins to fade, and the audience are shown a true depiction of love not bogged down in Hollywood stereotypes, but the film itself isn’t so much of a showy, awards-snatching piece, instead it is a calm and thoughtful film, which doesn’t require your full attention, it just requires an audience who are able to sit back and appreciate its greatest strength, a talented cast, bolstered by two intriguing lead actors: the uncompromising pair of Molina and Lithgow. 

Both are acting heavyweights, having starred in films with demanding roles throughout their expansive filmography, but its here in which they both excel, particularly Molina, arguably stealing the piece from under the cast’s feet, much like his performances in “Boogie Nights” and “Magnolia”. Lithgow himself has never been better, and exacts true emotion upon the audience through his deceptively frail performance, as a talented painter, who is hilarious in his scenes shared with the ever-brilliant Marisa Tomei, portraying the character Kate, a novelist and wife of Elliot (Darren Burrows, excellent), whom Ben lives with, who finds it hard to concentrate due to Ben’s incessant, yet endearing chatter. 

Verdict

Charming, if perhaps showy in its style, yet Sach’s latest feature is a film with heart, first-rate performances and a valuable lesson to couples (gay or straight), in regards to triumphing over adversity.

6 Stars out of 10

Written by Scott Gentry.

Film/TV Rating Key

1-2 stars out of ten = Awful.

3-4 stars out of ten = Average.

5-6 stars out of ten = Good.

7-8 stars out of ten = Excellent.

9-10 stars out of ten = Amazing.

 

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