Review of Love Is Strange (2014) by Art S — 23 May 2017

Although it utilises the same plot device as Make Way for Tomorrow (1937), in which an older couple is forced to sell their home and move to separate lodgings with their not-so-willing relatives, Ira Sachs's film transports the situation to the modern day and stars John Lithgow and Alfred Molina as the couple, newly married but together for nearly 40 years before the separation.

Sachs doesn't follow in the earlier film's tear-jerking footsteps however and instead gently offers a naturalistic slice of life in a contemplative mood (aided by a pleasant piano score and some poetic interludes).

The politics of gay life is manifested a few times: a blissful wedding soon gives way to Molina losing his job as music teacher at a Catholic school for formalizing his already acknowledged relationship, Lithgow makes a quick reference to Stonewall-era protests - but these examples seem unusual in the context of the loving acceptance offered to them by everyone in the picture.

And love is certainly the focus (as it was in 1937) with the loving Lithgow/Molina relationship always centre stage (and beautifully acted), even as their living arrangements create strain on their relationships with others (including niece-in-law Marisa Tomei).

The film isn't perfect: a couple of subplots don't really get started and distract away from the main story and then things end rather abruptly. Yet, for all its brevity, it was very pleasant to spend some time in New York City with these real people and their open-minded and creative friends and family.

There didn't seem to be anything strange about this at all!