Love’s certainly strange, but this film surely isn't; it’s sweet, funny, serene, calming, bittersweet and lovely. Most significantly however, Love is Strange is a very natural film; its natural in its comedy, its natural in its romance, and natural with its handling of homosexuality.
The film begins with our main couple Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina), getting officially married after being together for nearly 40 years; unfortunately such act costs George his long term job as a Catholic music teacher after word gets out to the archdiocese. Ben and George are forced to search for a more affordable apartment, with the majority of the film handling their temporary separation as they stay with friends and family (Ben stays with his nephew and family while George lives with their former neighbors). The plot's scope isn't large in this regard, yet is nonetheless impressive in character and relationship.
The film begins with our main couple Ben (John Lithgow) and George (Alfred Molina), getting officially married after being together for nearly 40 years; unfortunately such act costs George his long term job as a Catholic music teacher after word gets out to the archdiocese. Ben and George are forced to search for a more affordable apartment, with the majority of the film handling their temporary separation as they stay with friends and family (Ben stays with his nephew and family while George lives with their former neighbors). The plot's scope isn't large in this regard, yet is nonetheless impressive in character and relationship.
Love is Strange doesn't shy away from its couple’s relationship, yet avoids stereotypes films containing homosexuality occasionally fall victim too. The film rightfully treats Ben and George’s relationship as any other, straight or gay; the couple may be gay, but the film’s focus isn't on their sexuality (or to put it in other terms, the film doesn't make homosexuality the sole unique aspect of their relationship). Rather, Love is Strange develops them as a complex and interesting couple, having individual personalities, beliefs, hobbies, etc. Ben is a painter, a lover of arts (film, music, etc…) and a motor-mouth; in one scene he persistently tries to talk with his nephew’s wife while she’s trying to write a novel. Getting increasingly frustrated with Ben’s interruptions, she passive-aggressively suggests he start creating a new painting, only for Ben (who can’t take a hint) to ironically state, “I can’t work if someone else’s around; I can’t concentrate.”
George on the other hand is a practicing Catholic, a musical instructor/critic, and a man who enjoys small company. When staying with his former neighbors, the mild-mannered George has difficulty adjusting with their lively nightlife; resulting in humorous scenes of George awkwardly standing around a strobe light dance party or a very loud D&D game (hilariously bizarre enough). The film is equally as focused on the couple’s family and friends as it is with their own relationship, being as much drama about family as it is romance. Of course the film realizes prejudice exists in our world, and effectively deals with the obstacles its protagonists face. The scene where George gets fired is sad due to his heartbroken reaction. Most of the school’s staff, students and guardians knew George was gay and accepted him, yet by making his sexuality public (through marriage) he’s forced to leave a place he’s loved and given devotion towards. When one of the school priests asks George to pray with him (fearing the dismissal will affect George’s faith), George somberly replies, “I still believe in Jesus Christ my savior and that won’t change, but at this moment I think I’d like to pray on my own.” Yet Love is Strange’s focus is on relationships, and wisely minimizes the theme of prejudice, lest it became an entirely different film.
