REVIEW: Love is Strange

MARRIAGE equality is a very important issue. However, it does not always lead to a happy ending as this film demonstrates.

Ben and George are a loving couple who, after almost 40 years together, are finally able to get married. But their happy life is put on hold when they are forced to live apart.

While I’m sure that changes when marriage equality laws are legalised, bringing inevitible happiness to many people — what I liked most about this film is that it points out that complications could arise.

Right from the opening scenes, you get that sense of how long these guys have been together by the way they get up and get ready for their wedding. It may come across as a bit mundane but it establishes nicely how comfortable and loving they are with each other. It resonates with the complications that arise later as both men struggle to be apart from each other.

Much of the film’s humour comes from the way both men try to fit into their new places. Some comes from clichéd situations, like Ben being an annoying old uncle to his family. George also struggles to fit in with the younger couple whose place he stays at, with the older person/younger person lifestyle being portrayed in a clichéd way. However, they are still funny because they are situations people can relate to.

Another element I liked was the complicated New York real estate process Ben and George need to negotiate when they lose their home and struggle to find a new one. It has long been my dream to live in New York and it almost puts me off wanting to live there.

My only major problem with the film is a couple of coincidental plot points that occur towards the end of the film.

Nonetheless, I probably do not need to tell you how wonderful John Lithgow and Alfred Molina are. The chemistry the two of them have is amazing that you feel like they are a real couple. John is especially good as he has more to work with being the older of the two. Also great is Marisa Tomei as Ben’s niece.

In conclusion, it’s nice to see a very modern, up-to-date story portrayed on screen. What makes it unique is that the story is portrayed though the eyes of an older couple.