Freeheld (2015) User Reviews

Not another lesbian romance, but a fight for the equal rights!

[Reno-Rangan · 8/10 · 4 August 2016]

Not long ago I saw 'Carol', thankfully it is not another that and better than that. It was based on the documentary short of the same name about a real life same sex couple who fought for the equal rights and the pension benefits, while one of them was treated for cancer. It is a great drama about fighting for justice than the romance as it states, but that part as well very impressive.

Ellen Page and Julianne Moore, both were awesome, except Moore was a bit old. By seeing them I felt being a lesbian is sweetest than straight, hetero and even gay. The first half was all about the relationship, but very decently narrated romance tale. And in the next half once Steve Carell enters the scene, the film diverted to another side of the story. All the actors were very good, including Michael Shannon.

Obviously the story was predictable and that is expected often in a biography. Because if they want to alter it, then they should pen a very cleverest script the audience never saw one like that before. I think telling a true story as it is is the point and that's what this filmmaker did. So don't complain about the storyline, just consider whether it is inspiring or worth a watch for other reasons.

For me it was almost a sentimental piece, but the second half story compromised and then I realised what this film was trying to say. Underrated film of the year for sure. Anytime I suggest it, especially for the grown ups and with a neutral mindset, because it is not all about the same sex romance, but the battle for equality in society.

8/10

Fight for Equality

[kz917-1 · 7/10 · 1 May 2017]

The movie was inspired by the Oscar winning documentary and several of the real life folks have cameos in the film. Julianne Moore and Ellen Page play a couple that falls in love and then deals with a cancer diagnosis and then a fight for a police pension after twenty three years of service to be granted to her domestic partner. Well done as some of the characters you truly begin to despise over the course of the film. It's always good to be on the right side of history.

True Love, believe the evidence of your own eyes

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 25 March 2016]

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.

Wow, it's so touching!

[Gordon-11 · 2 February 2016]

This film tells the story of a well respected and very competent police officer in New Jersey, who fights against the county to give her pension to her partner after she is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

It is really beyond me that "Freeheld" is not getting any award nominations. It is way more touching, captivating and engrossing than the other film that is getting a lot of attention. Julianne Moore is superb in the film. Steve Carell is very good as well, he is likable as the flamboyant activist. The story is so touching that I literally kept reaching out for tissues to wipe my tears and blow my nose. I thoroughly enjoyed the film!

6.5/10

[Giacomo_De_Bello · 6/10 · 9 November 2015]

Even though it treads a lot, and I mean it, a lot of ground that has been covered by countless films before, especially recently, "Freeheld" is a well-crafted film that has committed and passionate work behind it that manage to make it come through a lot more than it could have in many other situations.

I am baffled by Juliane Moore honestly, that is the first and only thing that comes off the top of my head thinking of the film. She is so talented it is ridiculous. Because even if this is a performance that we have seen so many times before, even by Moore herself last year, she still manages to make it fu**ing interesting, new and genuine. This actress is a legend really. Right from her way of moving on screen she just lives and breathes the characters she is given and makes them so much more of what is on paper, which is also the main reason this film succeeds.

Because the film does recycle a lot. Both in ideas and style. It fits right into the streak of true story films that we have had in recent years and doesn't really emerge. It doesn't have a personal stamp, it doesn't really say anything special or new and what it says it really throws in your face without space for a more subtle or emotional narrative. As always with true story movies it gets deep into manipulating your emotions by pulling very, very easy heartstrings and doesn't make an attempt at trying to make a movie first before a recounting of the true story.

Yet, you feel that much of it, despite being standard, is truly heartfelt by the cast. Micheal Shannon is really, really good, Ellen Page doesn't always find her place on screen, but still manages to come off as the very good actress she is.

So in the end what we have is something that excites and moves in a way too conventional and seen-before way, that comes off as a pleasant experience thanks to its actors' commitment. I will never, ever watch this film again, but I will also never regret having seen it.

One Story of Many

[ferguson-6 · 6/10 · 2 October 2015]

Greetings again from the darkness. A touching story based on the struggles of two people in love … that description fits, but leaves out the crucial details that make the saga of Laurel and Stacie so poignant and important. Laurel Hester was an Ocean County, New Jersey police officer who, like most non-heterosexual people of the era, went to extremes to conceal that part of her life for fear of personal and professional reprisals.

We catch up with Laurel (Julianne Moore) and her police partner Dane Wells (Michael Shannon) while on a drug bust in 2002. This scene is meant to quickly establish that Laurel is an excellent cop who is fully trusted by other cops. Soon after, we find Laurel and her god-awful volleyball skills flirting with Stacie (Ellen Page), a much younger auto mechanic. The two strike up a romance that leads to buying a house and jumping through the legal hoops required under the Domestic Partnership Act.

When Laurel is diagnosed with late stage lung cancer, the battle for her pension benefits begins as she goes up against the Freeholders who control Ocean County. While Stacie holds out hope for a cure and full recovery, Gay activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell) swoops in to generate media attention through protests and chants against the County. His cause is Gay marriage, while Laurel simply wants equality. It's an odd differentiation that the movie dwells on, but never quite explains.

A significant social issue, a stroll on the beach, a pet dog, and a terminal illness … this sounds like the TV Guide synopsis of the latest Lifetime Channel movie. Perhaps that was the goal of screenwriter Ron Nyswaner (Philadelphia, 1993), whose next movie is a sex-change love story. Fortunately, the extremely talented cast elevates the material to an emotional level that allows viewers to connect. Those opposed to the issue include the macho cops from Laurel's own squad room, and the ultra-conservative faction on the County board – who predictably runs and hides when the conflict reaches its peak.

Julianne Moore and Ellen Page do outstanding work in allowing us to accept a romance that at times looks more like a mother/daughter relationship due to the age difference. Humor is injected with a rare drywall joke and possibly the first ever on screen tire-rotation contest. However, this isn't a story for laughs. Rather, director Peter Sollett (Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, 2008) shows one of the many personal stories that have led to the legal authorization of gay marriage and rights. We view this acceptance through the eyes of Laurel's partner Dane, and Michael Shannon's low key performance prevents the role from being too clichéd. The film suffers a bit with Steve Carell's over-the-top portrayal of the over-the-top Goldstein, but it does ring true in that desperate times call for desperate measures.

Certainly the film suffers from technical and script issues, yet the true story and the emotional subject matter, along with the fine performances, provide a clear look and reminder of some of the obstacles faced by good people over the years. Be sure to watch the closing credits for photographs of the real Laurel, Stacie, Dane and Goldstein – each (except Laurel, of course) have cameos in the film.

Great acting by Julianne Moore in a kinda averagely told story

[851222 · 7/10 · 9 February 2016]

Greetings from Lithuania.

"Freeheld" (2015) is a movie based on a very real story. I won't go into plot details, but this is kinda inspirational story. The lead performance by Julianne Moore is great - you won't expect anything less from this caliber Oscar winner, and she delivers it. Movie itself isn't bad by any means, at running time 1 h 40 min it wasn't boring and i watched it in one sit, and that is not a bad sign. But movie-making wasn't original or exciting and etc. This is a very averagely told story, with any emotional deep (script lacks of it) or anything else for what i could remember this movie for longer then one day after i finished it.

Overall, "Freeheld" is very watchable movie with no lasting impression. There are many well known faces in this movie, but they don't have much to do, script is very flat and predictable, directing is very simple. This is OK movie for one evening.

Could have been better...

[artscommented · 7/10 · 7 November 2015]

If you've already seen Philadelphia (1993, with Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington), you'll watch Freeheld and have a feeling of déjà vu. Written by the same screenwriter, Ron Nyswaner, Freeheld has all the elements of its predecessor: (i) it's inspired by true events, (ii) the main character has a disease and enters into a legal battle while sick, and (iii) there is a lot of prejudice against homosexuals. Despite all the similarities, Philadelphia is superior, and I'll try to explain why.

As Tom Hanks in Philadelphia, we see Julianne Moore transforms physically as the disease progresses. She always gives great performances, but I felt like I enjoyed it more during the first act, when she was struggling to keep her relationship a secret. Ellen Page is also great, especially when she's defied by her future boss who doesn't believe she can work repairing cars because she's a woman.

Having said that, the best character, in my opinion, is Dane Wells (Michael Shannon), Laurel's partner in the police who struggles with himself when he finds out she's gay, but ends up helping her. Steve Carell is also in the cast and he was very applauded by the audience in the session I was in. He definitely gave the film a lighter and funnier tone, since it's clearly a tearjerker.

Philadelphia had a different effect on me because the characters involved are more complex: the audience knows why Tom Hanks' character was fired, but the discussion is deeper than "because he's gay". In Freeheld, on the other hand, we see the "Freeholders" discussing Laurel's request behind close doors and their decision is simple and fast, with no further questions (except for Josh Charles' character). So, even though we all knew the ending to both films before they actually end, Freeheld felt like an old formula to me.

Full review: http://wp.me/p5Rk4c-em

A good movie with so much hateful reviews

[chenggaga · 9/10 · 3 October 2016]

Seriously people!!! So much hates on this review section.

At first I'm gonna tell you how i found this movie. I was searching for a romance movie on internet then i found it. I bought the DVD and decided to watch it alone, because it's a Homosexual romance (first i thought it's really a gay lesbian movie ).

But it was more than that. Once upon a time i was homophobic person. I hated gays and lesbians more than i hate imaginary gods. I after realized that homosexuals are humans to. They have emotions like strait people. They love, they cry and they laugh.

This movie based on a true story and very heart touching. I cried after watching this movie. Seriously it's very cute romance with saddest images of gay community.

People, if you don't like this types of movies then don't watch. But stop saying nonsense about this. I'm from Bangladesh, a country with so much ignorance and hate. But i came to light, it's time for you to come out too.

After all, it's very emotional movie with complexity. I liked it and watched twice.

Pretty good

[Seth_Rogue_One · 7/10 · 11 December 2016]

Good drama with some fine acting from Ellen Page and Julianne Moore.

They feel realistic as a couple and as the characters they portray, Ellen Page plays a tomboy with a bit of a manly body movement pattern and a boyish haircut to match which is true to the real life person she is portraying and Julianne Moore plays a detective who's in the closet.

Starts out solid but drops the ball a bit in the middle when it becomes a little too focused on politics instead of the close-up romance between the 2 it initially is and other characters taking up a little too much space and time.

I like Steve Carell a lot and I don't necessarily dislike his character in this it's just that his character is not the reason why we are watching the movie Julianne Moore's and Ellen Page's characters are so giving him so much to say and do in the second half takes away a little too much focus.

But it occasionally gets back on track and is overall still a pretty good film.

6.5/10

Freeholding the human interest from shining through courtroom theatrics

[StevePulaski · 5/10 · 19 October 2015]

While Julianne Moore needs to find more roles outside of playing older women that audiences passively watch deteriorate physically and mentally, she's so engrossing in such roles and sympathetic without being pitiable that there are no other actresses I would rather see in such roles. After completely commanding the screen with a heartbreaking, true-to-life performance in "Still Alice," Moore returns with an equally devastating performance in "Freeheld," concerning a veteran detective named Laurel Hester, who is dying from terminal lung cancer with her dying wish that her pension be granted to her same-sex partner.

Under New Jersey Domestic Partnership Law, however, this request cannot be granted to state employees and Laurel's appeal is scrapped by the ruling of five state freeholders. As Laurel becomes increasingly sicker, her partner Stacie Andree (Ellen Page), a significantly younger woman who works as a car mechanic, tries to manage her increasingly difficult treatments. Meanwhile, Laurel's longtime detective partner Dane Wells (Michael Shannon) works to help further Laurel's case by showing up at the town hall meetings where the freeholders are present, in addition to accepting the services of Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell), a flamboyant, Jewish gay rights activist who serves as the chairman for Garden State Equality. Goldstein winds up turning the town hall meetings into Kabuki Theater of sorts with loud protesters attempting to change the mind of the five representatives that are holding Laurel and her wishes back.

Moore and Page both give tender performances here, and their time together on-screen makes up some of the film's most endearing moments. They embody everything about a couple that one can easily get the wrong idea about, with their simple request becoming a national issue and spawning all kinds of domestic controversy that ostensibly stems from their desire to be noticed. It's easy to think this in theory, but seeing the film unfold shows that was the furthest thing from their agenda; this is a couple that wanted to live their lives and go through their days without any sort of hassle. They didn't want explosive levels of fame; they just wanted to live their lives and Laurel wanted her love to be taken care of financially when she died.

Screenwriter Ron Nyswaner is a bit too giddy to get to the meat of Laurel and Stacie's story, which results in a film that too quickly gets wrapped up in legal proceedings and courtroom altercations. Because of this, the true heart and reason for the story - Laurel and Stacie's relationship - gets lost in a sea of colorful theatrics and fragrant displays of powerful monologues and montages. In an age where good, mainstream films about gay rights and gay characters are difficult to come by, it seems unfortunate that "Freeheld" gets so wrapped up in colorful and overextended displays of courtroom drama that is sacrifices its main characters and their relationship with one another.

In addition, "Freeheld" is fairly standard Lifetime Network fare, encapsulated by a daunting and thoroughly overbearing score that hits every emotional scene to the point where pathos are artificially communicated rather than naturally felt. The important, topical subject matter at hand and the unanimously strong performances work to distract from that fact, but the unnatural amount of emotional manipulation prevails. As stated, Moore is a heartbreakingly real character here, and Page, who is by her character's side through every step, while strong in the more emotional scenes, doesn't really have much character to rely on here. The standout alongside Moore is Michael Shannon, who is destined to get the shaft here though he deserves to share the stardom. His seriousness and commitment to Moore's Laurel never feels like the "white knight" hero nor a bid for self-importance. Per usual, Shannon plays a real and fascinating character.

"Freeheld," despite its convincing performances and significant story that really transcends politics to become a human issue, unfortunately shifts its focus on the characters for a perfunctory and predictable rehash of courtroom theatrics that cloak the human interest aspect, as a result. It's the kind of film that really makes you hope the actors got paid more than the screenwriter at hand, for their commitment and talents shine through the unfortunately bland writing.

Moved me in a profound way

[davispittman · 10/10 · 23 January 2016]

Wow. Just wow. This film truly did affect me in such an undeniable way. Freeheld is based on a true story that might have already heard of. This movie tells the incredible true story of Laurel Hester and Stacey Andree, two woman in a romantic relationship together. They are together for probably about a year before actually buying and renovating a house to live in. And they do fix it up quite beautifully and live in it for a good while, having a domestic partnership agreement. But when Laurel complains of a pulled muscle, Stacee gets a little worried and has her go to the doctor and have it checked out. When laurel gets her doctor report back, she is informed that she does in fact have stage 4 lung cancer. Laurel's one last simple wish is that her pension will go to Stacee, just like all her other heterosexual co-workers have theirs go to their opposite sex spouses. The freeholders of ocean county deny her request, mainly because it's a pretty conservative town, and it makes them feel uncomfortable. Let me just say that Julianne Moore is freaking amazing as laurel Hester, she really just embodies the role and really shines in it! Also Ellen page, who just came out as a lesbian herself about a year ago, is awesome as Stacee Andree, she really gave it her all! Also both of them have such amazing chemistry in the film, you can feel the undeniable love and affection they have for one another. When they kiss on screen, it's almost electric. The love portrayed in the film is just so beautiful and touching. Also, the script and dialogue is very well written and engaging. Steve carrel really did his role justice as well, he was awesome too. The rest of the cast really did a great job as well, they all really had obvious zeal and passion for this revolutionary project. I'm so glad that the filmmakers did this moving true story justice when they adapted it to the big screen. I 100% suggest Freeheld! 10/10. Go rent it today.

It was a so-so movie on a hot topic.

[subxerogravity · 6/10 · 15 October 2015]

Ten years before same sex marriage became legal in this country, a police detective from Ocean County New Jersey (played by Julianne Moore) fights for the rights of her domestic partner (played by Ellen Page) to receive her police pension before she dies of lung cancer.

The movie does have everything, as it goes over the life of Laurel Hester. It starts out as a police drama, as we watch Hester and her partner (on the force)Dane Wells tracked down a murderer. We see how good of a cop she is and how much that means to the community. Then it becomes a romance, as Hester meets Stacie and the two start a lovely relationship, slightly tainted by the fact Hester, a "woman in a man's field" wants and needs to keep her personal life a secret even from the work husband relationship she has with detective Wells. Than it's a political drama as Hester has no choice but to become the poster child for same sex marriage as she fights for what is owed to her and what is best for the one she loves.

Yeah, the movie is laid out perfectly, pushing all the right buttons that get liberals all worked up, and filled with note worthy dialog to try to convince the unconvinced of the cause they are presenting. They show you how the other half feels about the topic, but then they visually beat you over the head with little trivial items that show how old white men are too stubborn and set in their ways (my favorite was one of the Freeholders that would decide about the benefits is wearing a small but noticeable cross as a pin on his suit)

I feel the movie may have depended too much on their facts, and when it came to their opinion, they did a lackluster job of showing emotion. Julianne Moore is a great actress and the movie has that going for it. Ellen Page also gives a nice performance especially when she shares a scene with Moore. Micheal Shannon is a far better actor than this movie gives him credit for. I feel that they could have done more with him, but his only real acting spar was Steve Carrel, who played a Jewish lawyer that herd about the Hester case and brilliantly used it to get the point across for gay marriage.

It's a good movie, but it's only a good movie because they talk about a great topic. I would have like them to have done more with what they had and show more emotion about what's going on.

Come for Moore but Sadly Nothing Else!

[ClaytonDavis · 4/10 · 19 September 2015]

In a time when our nation is going through some the most progressive and long overdue changes in history, a film as timely as "Freeheld" would be welcomed with open arms and minds from critics and audiences. Unfortunately, what director Peter Sollett creates, in partnership with Academy Award nominated screenwriter Ron Nyswaner, is an uninspired, insipid, and downright cheap take on a same-sex couple fighting for death benefits.

Starring recently Oscar-crowned Julianne Moore and Ellen Page, the two manage decent chemistry and maneuver through generic and Lifetime movie-like lines. The impressive Michael Shannon does his very best to elevate all the material, showing the if you're talented enough, no script can hold you back. On the hand, the rest of the cast, particularly Steve Carell, is so over-the-top, and poorly guided, that everything that could have made "Freeheld" a spectacular and moving drama, is quickly transformed into a distorted and tragic version of the Oscar-winning short that the film is based on. The most novice filmmakers could have created something more gratifying.

"Freeheld" tells the story of New Jersey police lieutenant, Laurel Hester (Moore), and her registered domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Page). When Laurel is diagnosed with terminal cancer, both battle to secure Hester's pension benefits.

After just winning her long overdue Academy Award for last year's "Still Alice," the excitement and anticipation for Julianne Moore's next role was at an all-time high. Moore, as we come to expect, commits firmly to the role of a dying woman. Reminiscent of performances like Hilary Swank in "Million Dollar Baby," Moore dives into her psyche, offering her soul to a woman who lived her life with secrets, and became alive in her later years. While Nyswaner's script offers little insight into Laurel and Stacie's love, outside of montages and cancer treatments, Moore finds her way through the pitfalls to come out on the other side intact. Page, who was a strong voice in getting the picture made, is relegated to crying and awkward ticks. Several instances, we are led to believe that "this scene" will be "her scene" where she gets the chance to let loose and show us what she's all about. Once again, Sollett's plain and boring direction quickly cut her every scene short, and offer no room to explore her character's surroundings and feelings. It's a terrible waste of talent.

Michael Shannon delivers a competent and layered performance as Dane, Laurel's cop partner. He finds the humanity and conflict in Dane's misunderstanding about Laurel's lifestyle and later in the fight for equality. He's the film's key positive note. Carell's over-the-top yelling and mannerisms is among the worst acting examples seen in 2015. It's as if Sollett decided to let "Michael Scott" from "The Office" run amok on the set because that's all that Carell manages to evoke. One year after a career-topping work in "Foxcatcher," I'm embarrassed that this is his next venture for the world to behold.

Even down to the cheesy score by Hans Zimmer, nothing about "Freeheld" sings. It lays dormant in a small courtroom, where anger and inspiration are supposed to fly but lies lifeless among the picket signs and Josh Charles' snarls. I was sincerely hoping for something better, actually something magnificent; too bad there's not enough vision to bring this powerful story to life.

Equality Before The Law.

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 5 August 2017]

It's better than it has a right to be.

Two women -- Moore and Page -- fall in love and move into a house in Ocean County in southern New Jersey. Moore is a detective on the police force and Page works as a mechanic. Well, southern New Jersey is not the New York metropolitan area nor a raffish suburb of Philadelphia. It's not exactly hick country either, not since the highways made it possible to commute to the cities, but it still retains some of its quaint charm. Ocean County includes the pine barrens, a sandy country of stunted pines, prickly pear cactus, and copper colored shallow creeks, a broad portion of leftover coastal plain. It's the only state home of the New Jersey pine snake (Putuophis m.melanoleucus), a tough specimen of which I was happy and proud to catch and release.

Where was I? I do wish you'd stop interrupting my train of thought. Pretty soon I'll offer to show you where I store my specimens. Yes, so anyway Moore and Page have a happy household and eventually Moore's partner on the police force, Michael Shannon, comes around to accepting this unusual ménage. But then it is discovered that Moore has incurable lung cancer. Despite treatment she gets sicker and sicker and decides to leave her police pension to Page. Uh-oh. The couple aren't man and wife, just "domestic partners." Moore's employers at the police department are uncertain about the deal so the matter is referred to the Ocean County Board of Selectmen or Aldermen or Freeholders or whatever they are. They demur.

The rest of the movie is taken up with Moore's search for what she calls equality, not special privilege, but the case is sensationalized by the media and all kinds of people with all kinds of motives show up at the Board meetings. Among the most impressive of these visitors is Steve Carrell as a hyperenergetic New York gay Jew who prances around leading chants and calling everyone "Sweetheart."

Nothing in the movie comes as much of a surprise. There is anger and confusion. A few locals support the cause, the Selectmen are afraid it will cost them votes to hand the pension over to Page, Shannon is stalwart in his support, and sooner or later the anticipated happens. The direction by Peter Sollett is unobtrusive.

Moore gives an excellent performance as usual. She sickens credibly. I groan with delight whenever Ellen Page speaks. There is no other such offhand voice, no matter what the subject. But, alas, she's not given much chance to exercise her acting chops. For most of the movie she trudges around wearing a face like the mask of tragedy, as if she'd just been told they stopped serving breakfast at eleven. It never changes. If this were fiction and her name could be made up, it would be Delores not Stacie. Michael Shannon is surprisingly effective. He's beetle-browed and hardly handsome but he brings an everyman quality to his roles precisely because he doesn't seem to be an actor. His underplaying added considerable power to his role as a schizophrenic in "Take Shelter."

I said initially that it was better than it had a right to be. What I meant was that it wasn't sicklied over with the ghoulish cast of excessive piteousness. Think what could have been done with this adult flick if it had appeared as a drama on Lifetime Movie Network.

And the best thing in this movie is....

[christa-pelc · 7/10 · 8 February 2021]

STEVE CARELL!! The rest of it is a sweet love story. Politically, marriage and domestic partnership only has a fiscal meaning to the government. This movie focused only on the emotional aspects, and didn't put forth any legal arguments. Of course marriage and love are deep subjects, but they don't belong to the government. That's why we have coworkers (like the police officers in this movie) and family to help and support us.

Moving, sad and important

[guisreis · 7/10 · 22 July 2021]

Moving sad film on LGBT-phobia and unfair justice. Nonsense reaction by haters. Honest drama movie.

compelling history told flatly

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 23 January 2017]

Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) is a police investigator in Ocean County, New Jersey. She is a closeted gay to everyone at work including her longtime partner Dane Wells (Michael Shannon). She starts dating young mechanic Stacie Andree (Ellen Page). They sign up as domestic partners. When Laurel is diagnosed with cancer, she applies to have Stacie receive her pension only to be rejected by the town council for their lack of a marriage. Gay activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell) sees a golden opportunity to fight for gay marriage.

This should be a compelling movie especially with these great actors. Everything seems to be there except for some imagination in its execution. The writing is formulaic. The movie could be interesting if it picks one character to tell the story. It essentially follows Moore in the first half but her character is incapacitated in the last part of the movie. The movie needs some imagination in its construction to make this film more original. On a minor note, the Jersey accent makes the romancing a little awkward. The ladies are good together. Dane has the most interesting journey. This could have been one of the year's best but it's not even close.

Emotional and brilliant

[rawsonjames · 10/10 · 14 February 2021]

Thoroughly enjoyed this film. I thought the cast were brilliant as was the story. Very emotional.

The message is important, but the movie wastes a sterling cast

[lasttimeisaw · 7/10 · 26 January 2016]

FREEHELD has its noble cause based on a harrowing but also inspiring true event, the fight for equality of a cancer-ridden police officer Laurel Hester (Moore) and her partner Stacie Andree (Page), Laurel intends to leave her pension to Stacie after her death, but the main barrier is Board of Chosen Freeholders of Ocean County, New Jersey, where those freeholders reject to grant the transferring benefit to one's domestic partner.

The story has already been made into an Oscar-winning documentary short with the same name by Cynthia Wade in 2007, so this project shapes up to be a tailor-made Oscar bait, script is written by Ron Nyswaner, who penned another LGBT tearjerker PHILADELPHIA in 1993 and is nominated for an Oscar; director Peter Sollett's previous work NICK AND NORAH'S INFINITE PLAYLIST (2008) is a charming indie hit, and Linda Perry contributes the theme song HANDS OF LOVE with Miley Cyrus as the performer. As for our two leading ladies, FREEHELD marks a high-profile follow-up after Moore's overdue Oscar victory in STILL ALICE (2014) and a career-boost to her 27-year younger co-star Ellen Page, who gallantly came out in 2014 and has been involved with the film for six years, plus with Shannon and Carrell on board, it has all the potential to be another THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT (2010), but it gets a cold shoulder as soon as it debuts in Toronto last year, completely goes off the radar in the awards season afterwards.

Fairly speaking, the film is a dependable drama, faithfully spoon-feeds the story from Laurel and Stacie's encounter, the usual trajectory of their romance, Laurel's closeted defence against the glass-ceiling in the police department, to the tragic part where a terminal cancer cast its shadow to their life, and the subsequent battle to buck the trend with the help of Laurel's working-partner Dane Wells (Shannon), Steven Goldstein (Carell), a radical gay-marriage advocate and the founder of Garden State Equality and a conscientious freeholder Bryan Kelder (Charles). Overall Sollett plays safe to the material itself but Nyswaner's script fails to lift the source above its banal biographical mechanism, despite there is a sterling cast at hand. Moore staunchly challenges a more butch attitude in Laurel, whose controlling nature is very much at odds with the submissive and meek Jules in THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, but the enormous age difference and Page's juvenile tomboy guise (has she even grown from JUNO 2007?) are not in favour of registering ample chemistry between them although for Page, her performance is less calculated and reflects her true nature. Shannon has no slack in playing a cardboard virtuous person, but Carell does chew up the scenery in his comic relief turn.

Laurel and Stacie's fight bears out a significant moment in human history, although marriage equality has already been legalised for USA citizens prior to the film's release date, bigotry and prejudice against LGBT people (as portrayed in the picture) is still rampant, notably in these backward areas and among those narrow-minded, not to mention the bigger picture in a global scale, there is still a long long way to fight, that why this sub-genre is still essential in our contemporary cinematic domain. So this movie underachieves to be a top-tier contender, but we do need films like this, heralded by Hollywood big names to leaven the mainstream market, wherever we are, diversity matters!

not ready for prime time

[joyceport · 4/10 · 22 January 2016]

To be clear, I am myself a gay woman, so I'm not speaking from ignorance or bias. This is a terrible movie. Why Julianne Moore took this role is a great mystery. Her co-star looks as though she should be her daughter, and the chemistry between them is zero. It seemed impossible to me that these two women could fall in love, The "romance" is over in an almost nonverbal twinkle, and the rest of the plot seems like a remake of the old film "Love Story," with some activism thrown in to give it value. I just kept watching in vain hope of some worthy surprise, but there was none. Interestingly, the attempt to avoid stereotypes is bungled by the unnecessary Jewish identity bestowed on one of the characters, who quickly becomes a caricature. I do watch a lot of gay movies and try to keep up with the latest releases, but this one made me weep, but not the way it was meant to.

Move Thee Reviews: Simplicity Speaks Louder than Sentimentality

[ken1848 · 8/10 · 12 December 2015]

Based on a true story and a 2008 Academy Award winning short documentary with the same title, Freeheld is a heart-wrenching and uplifting drama about a same-sex couple's relentless pursuit of love, justice and equality.

When a veteran police officer Laurel Hester is diagnosed with terminal cancer, all she wants to do is leave her pension benefits to her life partner, Stacie, so that she can afford to keep their house. Laurel is told no since they are not husband and wife. After spending a lifetime fighting for justice for other people, Laurel launches a final battle for justice for the love of her life.

The story is told in a straightforward manner. The first half of the film focuses on depicting Laurel as a dedicated police officer who dreads her colleagues finding out that she is a lesbian and as an average human being who longs for love and strives to start a family with "a house, a dog and a woman she loves". In a homophobic workplace, LGBTI people have to hide and lie since coming out of the closet makes them targets of bullying and affects their promotion. Apprehensive and timorous, Laurel can never truly be herself. The second half of the film focuses on the couple's brave but bitter fight against not only cancer, but also tradition, prejudice, ignorance and inequality, luckily and touchingly with the help of Laurel's colleague, a gay rights activist, the couple's friends and family members. Although some people criticize the first half of the film for being insipid, the director's refusal to resort to sentimentality is greatly appreciated. Instead of making a tear-jerker with clichés sugar-coating and praising effusively the greatness of homosexual love, the director creates life-like characters the audience care about and shows genuinely the love between Laurel and Stacie, which accurately echos the nature of the global fight for LGBTI rights. It can be summarized by what Laurel says in the movie – "I've never asked for special treatment. I'm only asking for equality." True love is beautiful and precious, be it heterosexual or homosexual.

Religion is a major reason why some freeholders say no to Laurel's request. In the movie, a priest reminds us that Jesus himself says nothing about homosexuality in the bible. Most of the proscriptions against homosexuality come from the Old Testament, which does mention homosexuality as an abomination, yet if one had actually read the Bible, one would have noticed that the same book of Leviticus also considers eating shellfish, or wearing clothing of two fabrics, an abomination. Some religious people blindly believe in what their churches advocate and apply double standard. Now, let's assume a particular religion is against homosexuality. Should religion and state be separate? For example, it is well known that Pope John Paul II was against artificial birth control. Should there be a law prohibiting citizens from using condoms? If Buddhists deemed it wrong to kill animals, should the government make eating meat illegal? If homosexuals cannot get married just because it goes against your religion, you cannot have cookies because I'm on diet. It seems that some pious people are not aware of a fact that marriage is a legal system which does not belong to a particular religion. While freedom of religion should be totally respected, it is unacceptable to impose religious beliefs on both the legal system and non-believers. Indeed, the overarching theme of the Bible is love. Mother Teresa is right. "If you judge people, you have no time to love them".

The ensemble cast is capable. Julianne Moore and Ellen Page are phenomenal. Their facial expressions and body language can effectively convey the characters' emotions. In the movie, we do not see the actresses. Instead, we see an ailing police officer and a car mechanic truly loving each other and fighting together against cancer and inequality. Michael Shannon also delivers a very convincing performance. His character is a "straight, white, ex-Protestant, atheist cop". The wholehearted support he has given Laurel is sincere and moving. Steve Carell, who plays the gay rights activist, adds comic relief to this knuckle-biting and heartbreaking journey. His performance in Foxcatcher is beyond compare though.

Love is love. LGBTI people "deserve to experience love fully, equally, without shame and without compromise." Like Suffragette, Freeheld is an important film that needs to be seen. Never take human rights for granted. Let's speak out against injustice courageously, in the name of love.

Another Kind of Love Story

[gbkmmaurstad · 25 September 2017]

A biography based on the lives of police detective, Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) and her domestic partner mechanic, Stacie Andree (Ellen Page). When Laurel is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer after 23 years on the force she wants Stacie to have her pension after she dies. They soon find out that pensions can only be inherited by spouses, not by domestic partners.

If you've ever been on the fence about gay marriage this is a realistic view of why it has become law in so many states. Regardless of your views on the topic, it will give the viewer insight to a lifestyle you may not have, but may help you understand those who do a little bit better. This film many not be for young viewers, but anyone old enough to date should see this film.

Intriguing, but detached

[yxoa · 7/10 · 20 April 2018]

What Freeheld gets right, it got well fitting cast in a roles they handle the most best. Julianne Moore plays a lead as an police officer phasing a devasteting desease. Ellen Page portrates perfectly her younger partner. Both captivate their characters essence and battles well.

Downside is that their dialogue feels forced most of the time. Freeheld captivates the legal battle greatly and gives it time and emotion. But the majority of film it seems that there's no love story what that battle was initially supposed to be built on. Where's the connection that drives eithee of leads?

There of, even though coverage on the story was kept together, I cannot possibly rate Freeheld more than 7 out of 10.

Too Cliché and Too Quick to Care

[farrinda · 4/10 · 31 October 2015]

It's 2002 and we open on… No, wait, it's 2003 now. A year has gone by and… No, wait, she's typing "as per the law enacted in 2005" now but only a month has seemed to pass in the story and… Oh, screw it! I can't keep up anymore. Freeheld, the new movie from director Peter Sollett and Oscar nominated writer Ron Nyswaner, is a relevant film with a discussion about LGBTQ equality that must be had, though it has suddenly become not so relevant. The message is the star of the film and it seems as if Sollett and Nyswaner rushed to make the movie in time forgetting that at heart they are storytellers. They defaulted to the use of clichéd dialogue and stereotypical archetypes, mostly wasting the talents of a stellar cast to release a film that could have had so much more impact if seen just four months earlier, before the SCOTUS decision on Marriage Equality. What they forgot in their haste is that if the story is not told well, we become lost and the thematic elements become insignificant as we just don't care.

Freeheld tells the moving true story of Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore/Still Alice, Boogie Nights), a highly decorated detective of the Ocean County, New Jersey Police Department who was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Closeted at work in order to...

Check out the full review on David 'n the Dark! https://davidnthedark.wordpress.com/2015/10/12/too-cliche-and-too- quick-to-care/