![\"freeheld\"](\"http:\/\/filmgaze.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/02\/freeheld.jpg\")
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A film that explores issues of equality for any one group, in any shape or form, always starts out along the right path. It\u2019s just how it proceeds that matters \u2013 does it have the required impact to further the cause? That\u2019s the initial question regarding Raising Victor Vargas<\/em> director Peter Sollett\u2019s new feature Freeheld<\/em>, based on a true story.<\/p>\n Beginning life as a short (which won an Academy Award), Freeheld<\/em> commendably highlights the plight of dying veteran lesbian police lieutenant Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) and life partner Stacie Andree\u2019s (Ellen Page) fight for justice in a frank and moving way. It followed the last couple of months in Hester\u2019s life, as she battled both terminal cancer and getting her police pension benefits rightfully past onto Stacie after her death. Sadly, Ocean County, New Jersey\u2019s Freeholders\u2019 Court did not unanimously agree. This film follows the same trajectory, albeit picking up much earlier from just before the pair met.<\/p>\n Sollett\u2019s project suffers from a very \u2018by-the-numbers\u2019 screenplay from Ron Nyswaner, who had also been\u00a0the Oscar-winning screenwriter behind the moving, Tom Hanks starring\u00a0drama\u00a0Philadelphia<\/em> (1993). It feels as though Nyswaner has delivered an all too obvious tale of cause and effect, compounded by Sollett\u2019s plodding direction. He does not adequately flesh out the protagonists as a fully-fledged, loving couple and partnership \u2013 and in turn, allow our feelings regarding their harrowing struggle to manifest organically.<\/p>\n To make matters worse, the filmmakers have two of the best actors in the business in the leads in Moore and Page. Indeed, they both\u00a0deliver a naturally sweet and warm chemistry \u2013 albeit using clich\u00e9d lines to enforce it. However, what actually made their characters unite and tick as a couple feels wholly missing from this, considering their different backgrounds (professions) and age gap.<\/p>\n We also want to know why Moore\u2019s Hester was adamant about fighting for \u2018equality\u2019 not \u2018gay marriage rights\u2019 when her situation is hijacked by the flamboyant gay marriage rights campaigner Steven Goldstein, played by an excessively theatrical Steve Carell.\u00a0Goldstein may well be a very big personality, but Carell\u2019s portrayal here completely dominates proceedings, to the point that it drowns out our protagonist\u2019s voice. It also adds a questionably comedic tone to the film when he is on screen. That said, Carell in full flow cannot help but be amusing, especially as he ruffles the feathers of the court and the token straight character \u2013 and our moral compass, fellow officer and Hector\u2019s partner Dane Wells, played by an ever solid Michael Shannon.<\/p>\n Freehold<\/em> is full of promise with its A-list cast and strong female leads, and is certainly well-meaning in its approach. It\u2019s just a crying shame it\u2019s been let down by the filmmaker\u2019s superficial handling of an intriguing subject matter and potentially engrossing love story. It\u2019s tamely adequate but not nearly satisfying enough, even though it does\u00a0warrant the odd stray tear.<\/p>\n 2\/5 stars<\/strong><\/p>\n By @FilmGazer<\/p>\n