Review of Bridegroom (2013) by Todd B — 26 Jul 2015

Bridegrooms.

I wasn't with my partner, Jerry, when he passed away in 1999, for some of the same reasons Shane wasn't at Tom's funeral in this film. I could have been at his bedside and at his funeral, but it would have brought dishonor upon the passing of the person I loved most in this world, and tarnishing his memory, by far, was the worst outcome.

The message of this film is love. Aren't we all better people when we remember that message?

It's easy to look back on life and say: I wish I'd done this or that differently. For example, the over-long solo disco sequence at one of my 7th or 8th grade dances that I so very much hope nobody remembers. I'd love to erase that horror from memory - especially mine.

But while I know the decision I made was right - Jerry didn't deserve the conflict that would have arisen from my presence when he died (though I spent every other minute of his life with him caring for him while he was dying) - if I could go back and change one thing in all of my life, I would be at his side.

Not a lunch with Lincoln or Tolkien, or a chat with Buddha or Jesus. I would be at Jerry's side when he died.

For that I would pay the ransom of Eden found.

So, this was supposed to be a small movie review. I should review it. Here we go: 5/5 stars. This documentary was beautifully told. :-).

More importantly, again: love is everything. Love is the greatest of all that is good. And you're not less of a man or a person for knowing and showing that. We should spend less time getting in the way of love, and more time experiencing what it's like to love and be loved.