No. 67 Freeheld (2015) 62 of 100

 

Like our earlier watch of ‘Loving’ this is another ‘based on a true story’ film of a battle to right a civil wrong. It stars Julianne Moore as Laurel Hester a gay New Jersey cop who in 2002 has to stay in the closet due to the macho demands of her job. She’s partnered with Michael Shannon and the film opens with them covering each other’s backs during a drug bust.

At a volley ball game Laurel hooks up with Stacie, played by the now Elliot Page. The romance goes slowly at first but eventually the pair buy a house and get a civil partnership. They come out to their friends, including a bemused Shannon, but tragedy strikes when Laurel develops cancer. As the disease takes hold, she writes to the Freeholders of the county to ask that her pension benefits be transferred to Stacie. Of course they refuse (otherwise we don’t have a film) and the fight is now on to secure the benefits that will allow Stacie to live in their home forever.

Much of the film deals with the various council meetings as the activists ratcheted up their protests which reveal divisions with both the five Freeholders and in Laurel’s police department. As she deteriorates and loses her hair the momentum swings in the protesters’ favour and the scene is set for an emotional showdown. Will common sense prevail? Of course it does!

I really enjoyed this really weepy slice of true life. Moore and Page were excellent as the gay couple and although I’m sure Moore’s haircut was authentic to the character she was brave in pulling it off.

There was a great cast of secondary characters including Josh of ‘Sportsnight’ and that nice lawyer off ‘Better Call Saul’. The two standouts however were Shannon and Steve Carell. I hadn't noticed Steve in the credits so it was a surprise when he showed up as a gay and Jewish activist. I wouldn’t say he was convincing in the role, but he had most of the good lines, telling folk he loved them and offering his affections to anyone who listened.

Shannon was great in this as the caring partner who's at first uncertain but later devoted to his partner. He’s the archetypal ‘nice guy’ in this and the sort of bloke you’d want on your side and to have a pint with.

The various baddies in the police department and council were thinly drawn and it was good to see them turned about by things like logic and common sense.

This could have been a by the numbers tale of true life, but I did get invested in the characters with each of their arcs being a thing of beauty! Well not Carell, he just stayed fabulous throughout.

As is standard for these type of films, it ended with some captions and photos of the real life Laurel and Stacie. A meaningful and profound film that would glisten the eye of even the hardest cynic!

When is Shannon-On? - 00.58

Outcome? Looking for a new partner

Film 4/5

Shannon Stars 4.5/5