Love Is Strange Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two old dudes get married, then one loses his job, and suddenly everyone’s crammed in like sardines, proving that even gay love can’t conquer New York City real estate.

🍿 Love Is Strange: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Wedding and its Aftermath

After 39 years together, Ben and George finally marry in a touching ceremony. However, George, a music teacher at a Catholic school, is soon fired due to the church’s stance on same-sex marriage. This sudden loss of income forces them to sell their apartment in New York City.

Forced Separation

Unable to afford a new place together, Ben and George must temporarily live apart. Ben moves in with his nephew Elliot, Elliot’s wife Kate, and their teenage son Joey in Brooklyn. George stays with two younger, party-loving police officers in their cramped apartment. Both men struggle with the separation and the challenges of their new living arrangements.

Intergenerational Tensions

Ben’s presence disrupts the family dynamic at his nephew’s house. Kate, a writer, finds it hard to concentrate with Ben around, and Joey resents sharing his room with his great-uncle. Meanwhile, George deals with the constant noise and parties at his friends’ apartment, longing for the peace and quiet he shared with Ben.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ben Hull (John Lithgow): A gentle and emotional artist who faces the challenges of temporary displacement after his marriage affects his partner’s job.
• George Garea (Alfred Molina): A calm and composed music teacher who loses his job due to his marriage, forcing him and his husband into a difficult situation.
• Kate Hull (Marisa Tomei): A writer struggling to balance her work and family life while dealing with the unexpected addition of her uncle-in-law to her household.
• Joey (Charlie Tahan): A temperamental teenager who resents sharing his space with his great-uncle and grapples with his own identity.
• Elliot (Darren E. Burrows): Ben’s nephew who is often absent due to work, struggles to balance his family’s needs with the responsibility of caring for his uncle.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• George: “I believe the world is a better place if people aren’t lying.” – George expresses his belief in honesty shortly after being fired for being gay.
• Ben: “After 39 years, it’s hard to fall asleep without you.” – Ben says these words to George expressing how deeply he feels about him, after being separated.
• Father Raymond: “I can’t protect you.” – Said by the Father in charge of the Catholic school George works at, after he informs George that he will be fired for marrying another man.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $2,262,223
• Worldwide Gross: $3,057,388

💥 Love Is Strange Reviews

Personal Review

I found myself really drawn into Ben and George’s world, even though their problems felt so everyday. Lithgow and Molina have amazing chemistry. I teared up when Ben spoke about painting and if George would think his art mattered. It reminded me of my grandfather. I ended up feeling a little sad about the ending, but it felt authentic.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent films”
  • “Viewers interested in LGBTQ+ stories”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “Audiences interested in themes of love, loss, and family”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief language”
  • “Discussion of financial hardship”
  • “Loss of a loved one”

Professional Reviews

• Salon: ““Love Is Strange” is the way Ben and George, even faced with an upsetting and unexpected life crisis, can still serve as mentors and role models to all the younger people around them, even when the younger people barely notice them, or find them irritating. It isn’t always, or even usually, the big moments that change our lives.
• IMDB: “Molina and Lithgow capture the familiarity and tenderness of a long-married couple…Unfortunately, the shaggy-dog script by Ira Sachs and Mauricio Zacharias does not serve the talented cast well. Random coincidence resolves one plot point, while others are just left unanswered. Sachs also directs, and his long takes seem self-consciously arty.
• DearMoviegoer.com: “This small independent film tracks the contemporary tale of Ben and George, two gay men who have lived together in New York City for nearly forty years. They recently marry in a legal ceremony to validate that union. The actors performances are the chief reason to view this film.

Audience Reactions

The amazing chemistry between Lithgow and Molina as the leads made this movie work and pull on heart strings.: Most people agree that the acting performances of the leads were the strongest aspect of the film.

Overall Consensus: A gentle and nuanced drama about the challenges faced by a long-term gay couple, elevated by the performances of John Lithgow and Alfred Molina.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Ben’s paintings in the movie were actually created by painter Boris Torres, who is also the husband of director Ira Sachs, adding a personal touch to the film.”
• “The film explores the challenges faced by same-sex couples in New York City, particularly regarding housing and employment, highlighting real issues within the LGBTQ+ community.”
• “Director Ira Sachs is known for his sensitive and understated approach to storytelling, focusing on character-driven narratives and realistic portrayals of relationships.”

🖥️ How to Watch Love Is Strange?

Love Is Strange is available for streaming on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video (via purchase or rental), Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for availability on other streaming services. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can be purchased from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Love Is Strange, you might like these similar films:

• Make Way for Tomorrow (1937): Both films depict the struggles of an elderly couple facing financial hardship and the challenges of relying on family for support.
• Beginners (2010): Explores themes of love, family, and identity through the lens of an older individual embracing a new chapter in life.
• The Kids Are All Right (2010): Deals with family dynamics, same-sex relationships, and intergenerational connections, offering a nuanced portrayal of modern family life.
• Weekend (2011): Features a sensitive and intimate portrayal of a same-sex relationship, focusing on the emotional connection between the characters.

🛒 Love Is Strange Related Products

• Love Is Strange [Blu-ray]: Own the touching film that explores the complexities of love and relationships in stunning high definition.
• Chopin: Nocturnes (Complete): Immerse yourself in the beautiful classical music featured in the film, including Chopin’s evocative nocturnes.
• Alfred Molina Signed Love is Strange Movie Photo: Own a piece of movie history with a signed photo of Alfred Molina from ‘Love is Strange,’ a truly unique collector’s item.
• John Lithgow Poster – ‘Love is Strange’: A high quality poster of John Lithgow from ‘Love is Strange’ that will add some style to your walls.

🎧 Soundtrack

Love Is Strange features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Berceuse in D-Flat Major, Op. 57” – performed by Frédéric Chopin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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