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KANSAN.COM
ARTS & CULTURE
Film review: 'Freeheld' is a poignant portrayal of the battle for gay rights and a fight against cancer
Julianne Moore and Ellen Page in "Freeheld."
CAMERON MCGOUGH @cammcgough
SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
The film "Freeheld" is a poignant story of love in the face of terminal illness and the fight for gay rights.
The film presents the lives of Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree and brings their story to the screen with a genuine heart, an activist's soul and a talented ensemble. Written by Ron Nyswaner, "Freeheld" is a sorrowful screenplay that leaves little room for relaxation. Unlike many films of its kind, "Freeheld" satisfies the viewer with a meaningful sequence of events that seldom defers from the point.
Julianne Moore, who is wellknown for playing strong, troubled women, does not disappoint with her performance as Laurel, a closed-off New Jersey detective whose life is changed when she meets Stacie (played by Ellen Page), a mechanic from Philadelphia. The two become lovers and are eventually joined in a domestic partnership. Moore and Page maintain solid chemistry, though their pairing sometimes seems a bit out of place, partially because of the 19-year age difference.
Their legal union proves to be insignificant when pitted against the heteronormative laws of the early 21st century. In 2004, Laurel learns she has late-stage lung cancer. Before her impending death, she requests to have her pension transferred to her partner. The five Republican members of the Ocean County Board of Freeholders twice deny the request. As Laurel's health continues to deteriorate, many forces work together to fight for her rights, including her longstanding work partner Dane Wells and the founder of Garden State Equality, Steven
Goldstein (a familiar, yet flamboyant Michael Scott-esque Steve Carell).
The film successfully touches on equality, religion in politics, peer pressure, ethics, integrity, white supremacy, and heteronormativity. The oligarchy of board members continue to deny Laurel's partner her benefits because they
feel it violates their own beliefs, and they don't want to be seen as the men who approved this sort of thing. When Dane tries to rally support from his and Laurel's co-workers at the police station, many of them hesitate because they don't want to be seen as gay supporters.
Early on, Laurel makes it
apparent that she is fighting for equality, not marriage, which helps make the film more personal than political. However, it does commit its fair share of political activism. The film shows just how far the gay rights movement has come. In today's political arena, New Jersey same-sex couples are allowed to get
married. Although society wasn't as friendly toward same-sex couples at the time, the two come out victorious, and Stacie is able to receive Laurel's pension after she loses a battle with cancer at the age of 49.
After coming out just last year, Page brings authenticity to her role of Stacie, providing
a delightful complement to Moore's Laurel. "Freeheld" is worth the time. If nothing else, keep your ears open for Carell's humorous dialogue, and keep your eyes on Moore and Page for their strong acting.
Rating: 2.4/3 stars
- Edited by Derek Johnson
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