Freeheld

Name: Freeheld
Genre: Biography, Drama, Romance
Released: October 2, 2015
Duration: 103 min
Rating: 50
Cast: Elliot Page, Julianne Moore, Michael Shannon, Steve Carell

2015

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 30 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

See All

7.6

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

7.6	Your Score
7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Freeheld

Now Playing: Freeheld

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: October 2, 2015 | PG-13

Starring: Elliot Page, Julianne Moore, Michael Shannon, Steve Carell

Summary: A decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Elliot Page) . However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells (Michael Shannon), andA decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel Hester (Julianne Moore) is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree (Elliot Page) . However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells (Michael Shannon), and activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell), unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defense, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality. [Lionsgate]… Expand

Director: Peter Sollett

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Romance

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 103 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Rex Reed

Sep 30, 2015

It’s a poignant, relevant and beautifully made film that must not be missed by anyone with a heart and a social conscience. Read full review

Alonso Duralde

Oct 2, 2015

While it’s an undeniably powerful film, it also seemingly feels the need to tread carefully. Read full review

David D'Arcy

Sep 16, 2015

Hester’s goal was to convince politicians that gay people are like everyone else. In its ultra-mainstream style, and now in its argument for equality (which most of America endorses today), this solidly acted drama drives that point home. Read full review

Gregory Ellwood

Sep 15, 2015

An impressive cast and significant real-life events can’t trump the fact it’s a badly made movie. Read full review

Bill Goodykoontz

Oct 8, 2015

Good intentions can only take you so far. So it is with Freeheld, a well-meaning movie whose sterling intentions, timely and provocative subject and terrific cast are muted to near oblivion by uninspired storytelling and direction. Read full review

Lou Lumenick

Sep 30, 2015

It’s a disappointment as a movie, though Shannon is especially fine in a rare sympathetic role. Read full review

The Guardian Nigel M Smith

Sep 16, 2015

A film that should feel urgent and of its time, but instead is rendered cliched and dull by Sollet’s amateurish handling of the material. Read full review

SEE ALL 30 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

GreatMartin

Oct 13, 2015

“Freeheld” is first and foremost a love story beautifully portrayed by Julianne Moore and Ellen Page. The former plays Laurel Hester, an in the closet police officer for 23 years who meets and falls in love with the latter who plays the much younger Stacie Andree. After being diagnosed with“Freeheld” is first and foremost a love story beautifully portrayed by Julianne Moore and Ellen Page. The former plays Laurel Hester, an in the closet police officer for 23 years who meets and falls in love with the latter who plays the much younger Stacie Andree. After being diagnosed with stage 4 cancer Laurel wants to fight for equality so that when she does die Stacie would get her pension as the surviving spouse in a heterosexual marriage would, and Stacie would be able to keep the house the house and home they have made together.

“Freeheld” is based on the Oscar winning 2007 documentary and in ways ‘Hollywoodizes’ it but the core romance between the two women is always there. While Laurel isn’t a gay activist and comes out for the equality and justice that made her a first rate police officer on her way to becoming a lieutenant, Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell) a self described ‘loud, Gay, Jew from New Jersey’ sees this as a chance to fight for gay marriage. Dane Wells (Michael Shannon), as Laurel’s partner on the police force for many years, is at first annoyed that she had kept this secret from him but quickly ‘covers her back’ as a good partner always does on the force and joins the couple in their fight. He, in a way, represents the non-gay audience while Goldstein is pretty much of a stereotype as a gay activist though the two men have a couple of very funny exchanges.

We meet Laurel’s sister (Kelly Deadmon) and Stacie’s mother (Mary Birdsong) who seem to accept their relationship and fight without any qualms just as the sister accepts the fact that her sibling will die. In either case it would have been better if the screenplay by Ron Nyswaner had spent a little more time with that instead of representing all different views of why Stacie should or should not get the pension from preserving ‘the sanctity of marriage’ to ‘what does the bible say about homosexuality--that’s right--nothing’. Along the way there is Todd Belkin (played by Luke Grimes) an in the closet cop along with the homophobic cops, the righteous Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders along with the one, played by Josh Charles, who doesn’t feel their voting against it is the right thing to do.

The direction by Peter Sollett is straight forward and though he should have spent less time on the political side and more on the Laurel and Stacie relationship the actresses bring your feelings, and tears, to the screen without being manipulated. Both deserve to be nominated for awards but though Moore brings a different take to a sick person than she played in her Oscar winning role in “Still Alice” she may not be recognized for the beauty of her performance as Laurel.

Behind the politics it is the love story of the two women that made the former possible and that aspect of the movie is handled naturally.

“Freeheld” is a must see movie for those who like a good love story, for those who are into politics and, yes, those who profess they believe in equality and the steps it takes to have it.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

LeZee

Aug 4, 2016

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

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 pensionNot another lesbian romance, but a fight for the equal rights!

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… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Brent_Marchant

Oct 26, 2015

A rather formulaic but nevertheless heart-tugging story about righting an inherent wrong, with fine acting across the board. It capably chronicles an event that helped bring about a seminal change in American society and does so with powerful emotion, especially in the film's second half.A rather formulaic but nevertheless heart-tugging story about righting an inherent wrong, with fine acting across the board. It capably chronicles an event that helped bring about a seminal change in American society and does so with powerful emotion, especially in the film's second half. For those who care about seeing justice and fairness triumph, this is a must-see.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

horrorliefheb

May 21, 2016

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. -Freeheld is a 2015 American drama film directed by Peter Sollett and written by Ron Nyswaner. The film stars Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Steve Carell, Luke Grimes, and Michael Shannon. It is based on the 2007 documentary short film of the same name about police officer Laurel Hester's fight against the Ocean County, New Jersey Board of Chosen Freeholders to allow her pension benefits to be transferred to her domestic partner after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

--Critical reception:

-Freeheld received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 47% rating based on 88 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The consensus states: "Freeheld certainly means well, but its cardboard characters and by-the-numbers drama undermine its noble intentions." On Metacritic, the film has a 50 out of 100 rating based on 29 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MattBrady99

Jan 21, 2016

Freeheld started off promising, with two solid performances from Moore and Page (Even when I didn't care for the chemistry between the two until the very end of film). But then the movie quickly dissolves away and turns into this flat, mediocre movie. I wish the movie had more of a focusFreeheld started off promising, with two solid performances from Moore and Page (Even when I didn't care for the chemistry between the two until the very end of film). But then the movie quickly dissolves away and turns into this flat, mediocre movie. I wish the movie had more of a focus with the relationship and let things between them grow so we can relate to them more, but sadly the movie never dose that. What could have been a good movie, took a lot of things too safe.

I highly recommend seeing the 2007 Documentary short "Freeheld", which is far better than this.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

JLuis_001

Sep 6, 2017

The story was good, but unfortunately did not work properly, what truly saves Freeheld from oblivion is the work of its two protagonists, and frankly the only reason to watch this film.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

foxgrove

Oct 4, 2015

Freeheld suffers from a severe belief in its own self- importance. It is one thing to champion a worthy cause, but quite another to make it vital, interesting and entertaining. The screenplay is so intent on making points about gay issues that the over statement causes the film to lose itsFreeheld suffers from a severe belief in its own self- importance. It is one thing to champion a worthy cause, but quite another to make it vital, interesting and entertaining. The screenplay is so intent on making points about gay issues that the over statement causes the film to lose its rhythm. Ultimately it lacks bite and just doesn’t feel cinematic.
The performances of Julianne Moore and Ellen Page as the gay couple fighting for their due rights, after Moore develops cancer, are not always convincing. Early scenes of the two becoming acquainted are uncomfortably embarrassing and director Peter Sollett adds to this by including a corny montage showing the two women laughing, dancing and kissing. This device is just a lazy and uninspired way of moving the story forward.
Julianne Moore, who is almost the Queen of the controversial or cutting edge subject matter, is seemingly becoming more conventional on the evidence here. After her admittedly superior turn in ‘Still Alice’ she is in grave danger of becoming associated with TV style disease of the week movies. Whilst she does have two or three scenes that are undeniably moving there is a cloying manipulative feel to the emotion evoked. In the latter stages she almost disappears from proceedings only to be wheeled on (literally) at climatic moments with head shaved looking like a large hairless baby. That this evokes laughter rather than sympathy is entirely due to the phony and simplistic writing on display. Ellen Page has a lot less to do and her performance is just vanilla.
As for Steve Carell playing a gay activist, this has to be one of the worst most mis-judged performances in a serious movie for years. The performance is both broad and irritating and, contrary to audience reaction where it screened in Toronto, there is absolutely nothing funny in his playing of the way over the top character. He may be having fun but we definitely aren’t. It’s just a peculiar and jarring characterisation.
With all these disappointing, ineffective and just plain bad performances on view it is pleasing to report that at least Josh Charles and Michael Shannon deliver. Shannon, in particular, although still having to be a mouthpiece for obvious plot points and (over)statements at least injects some warmth into the worthiness of it all.
In the final analysis it’s rather telling when one highlights the end titles song as being the best thing in the film.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

SEE ALL 8 REVIEWS