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6

Brent_MarchantSep 3, 2014

Despite strong performances all around, believably heartfelt chemistry between the leads and beautiful cinematography, "Love Is Strange" nevertheless never reaches its potential. The film incorporates many plot elements that are never fullyDespite strong performances all around, believably heartfelt chemistry between the leads and beautiful cinematography, "Love Is Strange" nevertheless never reaches its potential. The film incorporates many plot elements that are never fully (nor satisfactorily) resolved (many of which don't feel genuine to start with). Sadly, this disappointing offering doesn't fully make use of the resources it has available to it, coming across like a missed opportunity to chart territory that has never been adequately explored on screen.… Expand

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7

BHBarryAug 23, 2014

"Love is Strange" stars John Lithgow, Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei in this story of a marriage of two men who have lived together for 39 years and, under the newly enacted New York law, are able to formally solidify their relationship in a"Love is Strange" stars John Lithgow, Alfred Molina and Marisa Tomei in this story of a marriage of two men who have lived together for 39 years and, under the newly enacted New York law, are able to formally solidify their relationship in a more traditional manner. The problems the two encounter could befall any married couple so this is really not a gay movie but the story of a married couple who happen by chance to be gay. It is also the story of true love and the caring and affection that only beautful relationships can bring about. Unfortunately, this lovely and sensitive story, told in a better way, would have made a better film. One can only blame the writers, Ira Sachs (who is also the director) and Mauricio Zacharias and/or the editor for preventing this movie from realizing its potential. The continuity and ease of understanding are significantly absent from the film so that the viewer must assume and imagine that which could easily have been shown in an added scene or two. This is even more disturbing when you have such fine performances given by Messrs. Molina and Lithgow and Ms. Tomei all of whom are exemplary in the roles they play. I give the film a 7 simply because too many questions are posed for the viewer to try to answer and too many inconsistencies exist for the viewer to follow. Had these writing/editing problems been solved, the film would indeed be worthy of a much higher rating.… Expand

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6

TVJerrySep 24, 2014

John Lithgow and Alfred Molina play a New York couple who've been together 39 years. When they finally get married, one of them loses his job at a Catholic school and they're forced to temporarily separate and live with friends or family. TheJohn Lithgow and Alfred Molina play a New York couple who've been together 39 years. When they finally get married, one of them loses his job at a Catholic school and they're forced to temporarily separate and live with friends or family. The movie sensitively explores the challenges that they and their hosts face. There is conflict and drama, but a surprising amount of objective, somewhat tedious observation. The unexpected breaks in the storyline undermine the narrative momentum. The actors all do a fine, understated job, but the emotional core is missing.… Expand

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2

Kathy417Oct 6, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. My husband and I were SO looking forward to seeing this film and just as disappointed. Were Lithgow and Molina in great form? Yes. Does this make it a terrific movie? No. I'm not an idiot; I appreciate movies that feel "real," as if the viewer had dropped in to people's lives at some important moment. But, these particular people? Who cares. Afterwards, my husband and I went to dinner and got hysterical, trying to make sense of what we had just seen. Spoiler alert: Why would Alfred Molina's character NOT know the details of his co-op mortgage and why would his real estate agent allow him to make such miscalculations in the sale? Why don't these men have any friends of their own age? Why would two people who just got married, split up, albeit temporarily, for ANY reason. They could have become pet sitters for affluent out-of-town New Yorkers, for God's sake. Why does an only child with no friends sleep in a bunk bed? Why would two boys steal books in French when they could have taken them out of the Public Library? And, WHY OH WHY would someone, whose life-partner has a heart condition AND one arm in a sling, stand and watch their beloved walk down steep subway stairs and go, by himself, back home, after having a drink? Puhleeze. AND, any New Yorker knows that a rent-controlled apartment cannot be handed over to anyone new, unless they are a family member who has lived in the apartment for years and received mail there. Building management companies watch those rent-controlled apartments like hawks, waiting for the residents to die so they can bring the apartment up to current value. What the heck? Do none of those details matter when writing a script? And, as we sat there, my husband and I came up with a number of gay actors who could have played these parts. Are critics too scared to negatively review a film about such a "precious" topic? And, frankly, having known and loved many gay male friends, where were their outrageous senses of humor? It would have kept this slow-moving film from being, ultimately, a complete downer.… Expand

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9

LamontRaymondAug 22, 2014

Likely the first must-see film of the year. Molina and Lithgow are simply outstanding in this love story that doesn't quite go the way you'd expect it to. I'm definitely interested to see where this director's career will go.

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5

GreatMartinSep 5, 2014

“Love Is strange” could have, and would have, been an excellent movie. By no means is the movie a long one, running one hour and forty minutes, but seems much longer. Director Ira Sachs, who isn’t an amateur by any means, includes ’artistic’“Love Is strange” could have, and would have, been an excellent movie. By no means is the movie a long one, running one hour and forty minutes, but seems much longer. Director Ira Sachs, who isn’t an amateur by any means, includes ’artistic’ scenes that aren’t necessary, which slows the movie down , instead of concentrating and telling a bit more of the two main characters stories.

Ben, (John Lithgow), and George, (Alfred Molina), could be any couple who have been together for 39 years. The film opens on the day of their marriage, which has separated them from being ‘any couple’, celebrated with family and friends. The two actors are completely believable in their roles from how they interact with and towards each other, warts and all. Unfortunately George teaches music at a Catholic school where they know about the couple but with the marriage George has made a public ‘statement’ and he is fired. Ben is retired and to get the movie going they are forced to separate, temporarily, after they have to sell their condo.

George goes to live with the two gay policemen, Cheyenne Jackson and Manny Perez, living on the floor below them who party, always have the TV going and play loud music while George likes peace and quiet. Ben moves in with his nephew, Elliot, (Darren Burrows), his wife, Kate ((Marisa Tomei) and their teenage son Joey (Charlie Tahan), the latter given a ‘red herring’ storyline. Elliot is very seldom home, Kate works from home and being a teenage Joey and his friend Vlad, Eric Tabach, want to be alone in the former’s room, where Ben sleeps in the lower bed of a bunk bed, though why, being an only child, there is a bunk bed is never explained. Ben is use to George always being there for him, to listen to him and fill the many needs he has.

As we get to feel the loneliness, the strain of living apart between George and Ben, we understand Ben’s saying, “Sometimes when you live with people, you get to know them better than you want/care to.” Through many small moments we get to know the deepness of the men’s relationships and, though on a smaller scale, the relationships of others.

There are no big dramatic moments in “Love Is Strange” on screen but two major developments take place off screen robbing the audience which would have added much more to the film than the 3 not needed artistic scenes.

The actors are all first rate but it is the natural performances of Lithgow and Molina that make this a film worth seeing. I am sure they will be remembered come award time. They make their small moments all seem meaningful, allowing us to get to know them as individuals and as a couple.

“Love Is Strange” is one of the better gay themed films but more than being a ’gay’ film it is a film about love between two people and is for all old married couples, young couples or singles who want to be just that.… Expand

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2

LowbrowCinemaJan 27, 2015

Manufactured in some bizarre parallel universe where movie chiches are real, LOVE IS STRANGE does not possess even one genuine moment or thought. I put off seeing it because I expected it to be trite but now after finally seeing LOVE ISManufactured in some bizarre parallel universe where movie chiches are real, LOVE IS STRANGE does not possess even one genuine moment or thought. I put off seeing it because I expected it to be trite but now after finally seeing LOVE IS STRANGE, I am genuinely appalled. Even a wonderful actress like Marisa Tomei who can be so genuine comes across as some second universe New Yorker who has never even seen the real world, let alone lived in it.… Expand

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8

BikerjamesSep 2, 2014

Love is Strange is made in the style of a Woody Allen drama, but not as strong as Woody's best work. Lithgow and Molina are wonderful as the two geriatric gay men who have lived together nearly 40 years, only to have to separate temporarilyLove is Strange is made in the style of a Woody Allen drama, but not as strong as Woody's best work. Lithgow and Molina are wonderful as the two geriatric gay men who have lived together nearly 40 years, only to have to separate temporarily when one of them loses their job. They each move in with a different family member, and each one has different problems with their new living arrangements. Some of the camera shots seemed exceedingly long to me, and some of the characters and storyline felt underdeveloped, but I still enjoyed the film overall. Not a film I would want to see again, as the various family members were very annoying.… Expand