One of the most compelling real life love stories is being brought to life for the big screens, and it couldn’t have come at a more profound time: Freeheld.
The premise is simple: In 2005, New Jersey detective Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Knowing she does not have long to live, she requests that her loved one receive the pension she worked her entire 23 year career for, just like anyone in her precinct would do. However, Laurel’s simple request is denied by the Freeholders, a group of county officials, because her spouse does not “meet” the officials’ requirements: Laurel’s loved one is her domestic partner of six years, Stacie Andree (Ellen Page). Rather than accept the rejection and stay silent, the couple, along with activist groups and community members (including Laurel’s fellow police officers), challenge the ruling as well as the idea of love and commitment.
Julianne Moore and Ellen Page are perfectly matched as the steadfast couple, emotionally portraying the depth of Laurel and Stacie’s love and care for each other. The film also stars Michael Shannon as Moore’s squad partner and Steve Carell as an LBGTQ activist, both men helping the women fight for their just cause. And although it’s just a three minute trailer that includes bits of humor, slow motion running and emotional bits of dialogue played over a stirring song (“Rise Up” by Andra Day), I’m calling it right now: Freeheld will be one of the top Oscar contenders for 2016.
Although the film does not premiere until October 2nd, its timing is perfect with the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality. Freeheld examines one of the most beautiful aspects of the human race that, I believe, we saw that June 26th morning: no matter how different we all are, no matter what political party we affiliate with or faith we may or may not believe in, no matter our differing sexual orientation – we come together in the name of justice.
Ultimately, Freeheld reminds us all of a fairly simple concept: Love is love.
Freeheld will be released in selected theaters on October 2nd and worldwide October 16th.
