by Cookie N Screen
Love is one of those phenomenon’s that drags people closer together, unequivocally. It’s an emotive state that pairs or groups us off because we enjoy being surrounded by a particular set of humans. It’s taken us thousands of years, a few scientific studies and we are no closer to explain why this happens poignantly than we are flying to Jupiter. For all its weirdness, happiness and pain, love will always be a great mystery that is painted upon our cinema screens for years and will continue to do so centuries after we have passed. Because love is undeniably, wonderfully and magnificently strange.
As is this great film.
Love is one of those phenomenon’s that drags people closer together, unequivocally. It’s an emotive state that pairs or groups us off because we enjoy being surrounded by a particular set of humans. It’s taken us thousands of years, a few scientific studies and we are no closer to explain why this happens poignantly than we are flying to Jupiter. For all its weirdness, happiness and pain, love will always be a great mystery that is painted upon our cinema screens for years and will continue to do so centuries after we have passed. Because love is undeniably, wonderfully and magnificently strange.
As is this great film.
Directed by Ira Sachs, Love is Strange centres on George and Ben who have been together for nearly 40 years. When they finally get married, the Catholic school that George works at feel his new situation opposes the stance that the Church has and fires him immediately. The sudden loss of a job means that the pair have to sell their apartment, one that they have lived in for twenty years, and as they struggle to get a new place, they have to separate and live with friends or family in order to make ends meet. However, without being apart for so long and the sudden (but welcomed) imposition on those around them means the situation between the pair becomes wrought.
This is a very slow burn drama but it is gentle and captivating. The film is titillated by these little snippets of life that unashamedly feel natural. Not just the beautiful scenes between Ben and George but also with the strain their upheaval places on their nearest and dearest. The eloquently written and superbly directed piece by Sachs comes from a place of warm that echoes throughout and combines with this gorgeously humanistic manner. Despite there being moments of stress, they are furtive and underlying without saying too much and is simply the way people interact without wanting a massive argument or to give too much away. Love Is Strange is enthused with this narrative that works. It is realistic and heartfelt – giving the tenderer or sorrow filled moments more depth and understanding; including a beautiful letter to parents of the school that, read aloud to us, tells children to be unafraid of being themselves.
This is a very slow burn drama but it is gentle and captivating. The film is titillated by these little snippets of life that unashamedly feel natural. Not just the beautiful scenes between Ben and George but also with the strain their upheaval places on their nearest and dearest. The eloquently written and superbly directed piece by Sachs comes from a place of warm that echoes throughout and combines with this gorgeously humanistic manner. Despite there being moments of stress, they are furtive and underlying without saying too much and is simply the way people interact without wanting a massive argument or to give too much away. Love Is Strange is enthused with this narrative that works. It is realistic and heartfelt – giving the tenderer or sorrow filled moments more depth and understanding; including a beautiful letter to parents of the school that, read aloud to us, tells children to be unafraid of being themselves.
The most engaging aspect of Love Is Strange is the simply divine chemistry between John Lithgow and Alfred Molina. The similar yet different personalities of Bend and George combined with their pained separation and events that are beyond their control means the acting duo can bounce emotion off one another without overplaying its elements. Enthralling, the newly wed, long together couple, emote off the screen and immediately into your hearts. This is not the tale of falling in love but keeping love in mind over distances and an upset to daily married routine. Molina and Lithgow enchant together, whilst gifting their characters with unique qualities such as the bumbling age of Ben or the wise tutelage of George producing one of the greatest screen couples with this quiet energy that makes it impossible not to empathise and adore their relationship.
Love Is Strange is a phenomenal drama with wit, laughter, tears and anger – all happily captivating tableaus of family, parenting and married life. Shot in this pure way that delicately captures the slow artistry of New York City, the beauty seen through Ben’s artistic eyes and heard through musician George’s ears, this is a swan song to that undeniable love that is built upon in years. Love is Strange is filmed as a testament to couples like Ben and George, a celebration of their seemingly impeccably 39 year relationship. The final film, however, is testament to the direction, the acting and the writing.
But most importantly to the strangeness of love.
Love is Strange is out February 13th
Love Is Strange is a phenomenal drama with wit, laughter, tears and anger – all happily captivating tableaus of family, parenting and married life. Shot in this pure way that delicately captures the slow artistry of New York City, the beauty seen through Ben’s artistic eyes and heard through musician George’s ears, this is a swan song to that undeniable love that is built upon in years. Love is Strange is filmed as a testament to couples like Ben and George, a celebration of their seemingly impeccably 39 year relationship. The final film, however, is testament to the direction, the acting and the writing.
But most importantly to the strangeness of love.
Love is Strange is out February 13th
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