​FILMS

holding the man

2015 review number 115:

Holding the Man: (Drama): 84 out of 100: Based on a true story, this heartfelt exploration of homosexual love is compelling viewing. Well-acted by the ensemble cast, the themes of gay intolerance and the stigma of declaring one's homosexuality in the 1970s are magnificently portrayed. It's such a topical movie in current times with marriage equality being the focus on many government agendas. The characterisations and the story are what ultimately drive the story.

 

The movie begins with Timothy Conigrave (Ryan Corr) and John Caleo (Craig Stott) meeting each other in high school. John is the captain of the school's Australian rules football team while Tim is an aspiring actor. In the face of adversity, they consummate their love and stay with each other for 15 years, although there are times when Timothy especially, wants to experience other men. Their respective parents also act as a barricade to their relationship. Timothy's parents played by Guy Pearce and Kerry Fox, and John's parents portrayed by Anthony LaPaglia and Camilla Ah Kin, forbid them to see each other when they first start dating and continue to frown upon their union in their adult years.

 

Neil Armfield does a credible job of directing from a screenplay by Tommy Murphy. The latter actually wrote the stage play which was adapted from the 1995 memoir by Conigrave. The dialogue is tender and incisive at times, accurately representing how some gays were denigrated in the 1970s and 1980s. The interactions between cast members make this a powerful statement on homosexual love. There are several funny scenes which ensure that the story is not a hard slog for the casual, undemanding viewer.

 

The only signs of manipulation arrive in the form of a few slow motion scenes to highlight the solemnity of the situation. It would take a harsh critic, however, to not be moved by the proceedings. There was a flood of tears in the screening I attended. Credit must go to the key actors for contributing to the empathy and sympathy generated. This is the first time I had seen Corr and Stott act, yet they were so impressive that they were they able to match the skill of expert, more illustrious actors like LaPaglia, Fox and Pearce. Of the support cast, LaPaglia fared best with his meatier role and he was able to convey his expressions brilliantly.

 

The different eras are well-represented by the choice of songs on the soundtrack. There's never a dull moment if you you have an appreciation of music in movies. The score is also symbolic of the dramatic tension that permeates through the movie.

 

If you wish to see only one Australian movie this year, make sure it is Holding the Man. It is an early contender for Best Picture at next year's AACTA Awards (Australia's Oscars). You will be won over by the superlative plot and exemplary acting. It is a movie for our times.

 

Starring Ryan Corr, Craig Stott, Anthony LaPaglia, Kerry Fox, Sarah Snook and Guy Pearce

(125 minutes)

Parental advice: Coarse language, nudity, sex scenes, sexual references and adult themes.

Additional scene during or after credits: Yes, during the credits we see some photos of the cast members plus there is a photo of the real-life couple, Timothy and John

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOURNEMfHls (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Tuesday 11th August, 2015)

 

For my latest reviews, go to this link: http://mlaimlai2.wix.com/magical-movie-review