Freeheld

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One of the things that has always annoyed me about people opposing gay rights laws is the absolute refusal of the opposition especially those religiously based to recognize romantic love. It's not recognized in the holy works of religion therefore it doesn't exist. Even in this film where we are talking about two people in love. Believe the evidence of your own eyes about Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree in the film Freeheld. I worked for NYS Crime Victims Board and in death I came in contact with a lot of ordinary LGBTQ people who in death had their lives magnified far more than what they did in their lives. Such is the case with Laurel Hester who was a detective with the Ocean County Police in New Jersey. I'm not sure she was closeted, but she certainly was discreet in her male dominated work place. Discretion went out the window when she meets Stacie Andree a much younger woman at a softball game. The two start living together and while it's not all roses, the commitment is truly there. And then cancer strikes and what to do about whatever estate Hester might leave. This story illustrates precisely the problem that LGBTQ people had before marriage settled the issue permanently. You could in some places get a domestic partnership certificate and have the relationship recorded. But it wasn't mandated that private industry and government recognize it. Thus was the issue of the film as the town of Freehold and its governing body would not extend survivor benefits to Ms. Andree. They were not married, but legally they could not get married. At least without a lot of agitation and organizing. Which is where Steve Carrell as Steven Goldstein comes in, leading the same sex marriage lobbying group. The issue as he says is so neatly encapsulated in the problem that Hester and Andree face. Two things I liked about Freeheld that make this a special film. One was the chemistry between Julianne Moore and Ellen Page as Laurel and Stacy. They made me believe the love was real. The second was the scenes among Laurel's police colleagues with her and among themselves. The differing reactions was a sampling of straight and male America, quite nicely documented. Freeheld is a great film showing the need for same sex marriage as few others have.

FREEHELD is a film that matters, a well acted and directed paean to a real life story of a lesbian couple and their fight for equal rights. Writer Ron Nyswander and director Peter Sollett have transformed the Oscar winning documentary into a deeply moving cry for equality for LGBT citizens. The film is made more worthy by the intensely dramatic performances by Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon and Steve Carell and a supporting cast that is spot on. This is first and foremost a love story between New Jersey police lieutenant Laurel Hester and her younger somewhat pugnacious domestic partner Stacie Andree). We witness Laurel's fine performance as a policeman who meets Stacie at a volleyball match and their love develops into a lasting one: their register as Domestic Partners. Laurel develops lung cancer, Stage 4, and must endure chemo and radiotherapy. Concerned about Stacie and the house they have reconstructed together, Laurel seeks her pension to be given to Stacie when the cancer wins. However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective and Laurel's work partner Dane Wells, and gay activist Steven Goldstein, unite in Laurel and Stacie's defense, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality. At times the script becomes overly saccharine but because of the performances by the four leads the story hits you in the gut and the heart. It is a deeply moving film and one that deserves wide attention, especially during this time when the struggle for gay rights is changing the public perception of equality.