LOVE IS STRANGE (Ira Sachs). 93 minutes. Opens Friday (September 19). For venues and times, see listings. Rating: NNNN
When George (Alfred Molina) and Ben (John Lithgow), together for over 30 years, finally marry, their relationship can no longer be ignored by the church where George conducts the choir, and he’s summarily fired. Suddenly the couple can’t meet their apartment payments, are forced to sell and must live apart until they can find an affordable permanent arrangement.
That leaves George to live with two gay cops, while Ben has to move in with his nephew’s family.
The subtext of the film is the vicious real estate market in Manhattan – the city is one of the film’s central characters – but at its essence, the pic is about how dynamics shift and difficulties surface when people, especially the teenager Ben bunks with, have to adjust to reduced living space.
Director Ira Sachs, aided by a soothing classical music score, gives the piece a gentle tone and lets small gestures evoke the intimacy between the two men – superbly played by Molina and Lithgow – something they desperately miss when they’re apart.
The movie won’t put you on the edge of your seat, but you will not be able to resist getting drawn in by the characters and their dilemmas.
