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>>> Freeheld

FREEHELD 103 minutes. Rating: NNNN

Where to watch: iTunes


Nothing like a recently out and proud actor playing a kick-ass dyke. Ellen Page rocks in this Peter Sollett-directed true story about long-time police officer Laurel (Julianne Moore), who’s dying of cancer and wants to leave her pension to her lesbian lover, car mechanic Stacie (Page). But the Ocean County, New Jersey, Board of Chosen Freeholders, ie the boys in charge of police pensions – hence the title Freeheld – are not exactly open to the idea.

The first half, when the two women first connect, is the stronger. Moore and Page have great chemistry, and the writing by Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia), especially when Stacie’s pressing Laurel to acknowledge her publicly, never feels forced. 

The second act is basically a legal procedural. Fortunately, this section is goosed by Steve Carell’s outrageous performance as the Jewish gay rights activist who helps the twosome battle the intransigent elected officials. Michael Shannon’s along for the ride in the not very showy role of Laurel’s ambivalent police partner.

But the pic belongs to Page and Moore, who make us care deeply about this complex couple.

Bring Kleenex. 

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