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IMDbPro

Keep the Lights On

  • 2012
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.4/10
5.9K
YOUR RATING
Keep the Lights On (2012)
In Manhattan, filmmaker Erik bonds with closeted lawyer Paul after a fling. As their relationship becomes one fueled by highs, lows, and dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries while being true to himself.
Play trailer2:09
3 Videos
22 Photos
DramaRomance

In Manhattan, film-maker Erik bonds with closeted lawyer Paul after a fling. As their relationship becomes one fueled by highs, lows, and dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate ... Read allIn Manhattan, film-maker Erik bonds with closeted lawyer Paul after a fling. As their relationship becomes one fueled by highs, lows, and dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries while being true to himself.In Manhattan, film-maker Erik bonds with closeted lawyer Paul after a fling. As their relationship becomes one fueled by highs, lows, and dysfunctional patterns, Erik struggles to negotiate his own boundaries while being true to himself.

  • Director
    • Ira Sachs
  • Writers
    • Ira Sachs
    • Mauricio Zacharias
  • Stars
    • Thure Lindhardt
    • Zachary Booth
    • Julianne Nicholson
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.4/10
    5.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Ira Sachs
    • Writers
      • Ira Sachs
      • Mauricio Zacharias
    • Stars
      • Thure Lindhardt
      • Zachary Booth
      • Julianne Nicholson
    • 39User reviews
    • 75Critic reviews
    • 79Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 10 nominations

    Videos3

    Theatrical Version
    Trailer 2:09
    Watch Theatrical Version
    Keep the Lights On
    Trailer 2:08
    Watch Keep the Lights On
    Keep the Lights On
    Trailer 0:53
    Watch Keep the Lights On

    Photos22

    Thure Lindhardt in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Thure Lindhardt and Zachary Booth in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Thure Lindhardt and Zachary Booth in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Zachary Booth in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Thure Lindhardt and Zachary Booth in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Thure Lindhardt and Zachary Booth in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Thure Lindhardt in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Ira Sachs in Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Keep the Lights On (2012)
    Thure Lindhardt in Keep the Lights On (2012)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Thure Lindhardt
    Thure Lindhardt
    • Erik Rothman
    Zachary Booth
    Zachary Booth
    • Paul Lucy
    Julianne Nicholson
    Julianne Nicholson
    • Claire
    Souleymane Sy Savane
    Souleymane Sy Savane
    • Alassane
    • (as Souléymane Sy Savané)
    Marilyn Neimark
    • Marilyn Neimark
    Paprika Steen
    Paprika Steen
    • Karen
    Sebastian La Cause
    Sebastian La Cause
    • Russ
    Sarah Hess
    • Katie
    Roberta Kirshbaum
    • Katie's Mom
    Jamie Petrone
    Jamie Petrone
    • Katie's Cousin
    Maria Dizzia
    Maria Dizzia
    • Vivian
    Stella Schnabel
    • Esther
    Jodie Markell
    Jodie Markell
    • Jill
    Justin Reinsilber
    Justin Reinsilber
    • Dan
    James Bidgood
    • James Bidgood
    John Michael Cox Jr.
    • John Michael Cox Jr.
    Henry Arango
    • Henry Arango
    Agosto Machado
    • Agosto Machado
    • Director
      • Ira Sachs
    • Writers
      • Ira Sachs
      • Mauricio Zacharias
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the film, Erik goes to the Berlin International Film Festival and wins a Teddy Award. According to the director, the Berlin scene was shot in New York. Keep the Lights On then won the same award in real life.
    • Goofs
      Modern iMac box.
    • Quotes

      Paul Lucy: Would you turn that light on, above the bed? I don't want to be in the dark with you.

    • Connections
      Featured in The 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Close My Eyes
      Written by Charles Arthur Russell Jr.

      Performed by Arthur Russell

    User reviews39

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    4/10
    Weak Story with Decent Acting
    I wanted to like this one for some obscure reason. The subject matter seemed promising and I dove into it with an open mind. Even though the acting was adequate (although nothing great), the one flaw was of course the story or rather the lack of it.

    At first, I was lulled into a false sense of hope that something would come to grab my attention so I kept on watching and soon found out that this was as good as it would get. The story should always be the number one priority when producing a movie and sadly, this is not the case here.

    The drug aspect didn't bother me as much as it just seemed like yet another cliched way of depicting a love story between 2 men. True, drug addiction can be a part of that community but in this case, it just felt stitched together to give the characters something to do.

    The whole time I felt like the director/writer didn't know what to do with his characters to make them interesting. The chemistry between the 2 leads was fair and the supporting actors were also decent but yet again, the story didn't have enough meat to make this riveting. It dragged along to its wobbly conclusion which felt like a letdown because the payoff never came.

    The only actor who I felt really owned his part was Thure Lindhardt as Erik and he was quite good in portraying the anguish and sadness of his character but he wasn't given enough substance in terms of his tale to make me feel satisfied with this movie so I could only give it a decent 4 star rating. Nothing horrible certainly but nothing outstanding either.
    helpful•7
    1
    • breckstewart
    • May 17, 2019

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 27, 2012 (Taiwan)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Danish
    • Also known as
      • Ánh đèn thắp sáng
    • Filming locations
      • Film Forum, 209 West Houston Street, New York City, New York, USA(Exterior and Lobby)
    • Production companies
      • Parts and Labor
      • Post Factory Films
      • Tiny Dancer Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $246,112
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $55,574
      • Sep 9, 2012
    • Gross worldwide
      • $388,331
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 41 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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