Keep the Lights On (2012)

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

7 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Thure Lindhardt	...	Erik Rothman
Zachary Booth	...	Paul Lucy
Marilyn Neimark	...	Marilyn Neimark
Paprika Steen	...	Karen
Sebastian La Cause	...	Russ
Julianne Nicholson	...	Claire
Sarah Hess	...	Katie
Roberta Kirshbaum	...	Katie's Mom
Jamie Petrone	...	Katie's Cousin
Maria Dizzia	...	Vivian
Stella Schnabel	...	Esther
Jodie Markell	...	Jill
Justin Reinsilber	...	Dan
James Bidgood	...	James Bidgood
Souleymane Sy Savane	...	Alassane (as Souléymane Sy Savané)

Storyline

It's 1998 and New York City is in a state of intense flux when documentary filmmaker Erik Rothman (Thure Lindhardt) first meets Paul Lucy (Zachary Booth), a handsome but closeted lawyer in the publishing field. What begins as a highly charged first encounter soon becomes something much more, and a relationship quickly develops. As the two men start building a home and life together, each continues to privately battle their own compulsions and addictions. A film about sex, friendship, intimacy and most of all, love, Keep the Lights On takes an honest look at the nature of relationships in our times.

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Plot Keywords:

boyfriend boyfriend relationship | male full frontal nudity | gay love | gay couple | documentary filmmaker | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Danish

Release Date:

27 July 2012 (Taiwan)

Also Known As:

Deixa as Luzes Acesas

Filming Locations:

Film Forum, 209 West Houston Street, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$55,574, 9 September 2012, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$245,138, 21 December 2012

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alarum Pictures, Parts and Labor, Tiny Dancer Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

Modern iMac box.

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Quotes

Karen: [in Danish] In your twenties, it's charming to be up-and-coming. In your thirties, dear brother, it's pathetic.

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Connections

Features Rugged Men (1976)

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Soundtracks

Close My Eyes
Written by Charles Arthur Russell Jr.
Performed by Arthur Russell

User Reviews

Disappointing!

I had high hopes for this movie because it has overwhelmingly positive reviews, some even called it the "best film of 2012". I didn't watch the movie until now, and I am really disappointed!

I was dragging myself through most parts of the movie. 30 minutes into the movie and I was thinking, "I'm not interested, what's so interesting about this movie?" Things only became slightly interesting midway through the movie, and so I tried to finish the movie to see if there's a really great ending or something. But sorry, no.

I guess there are two things you can learn after watching this movie: first, the gay hook-up culture (and how it hasn't changed 20 years later... cough... Grindr... cough...); second, the overused "drugs ruin relationships" cliché. Come to think of it, I don't really see the point of the use of drugs in this movie. What's most frustrating is that not much is known about Paul other than his drug addiction! Let's draw an easy comparison: "Weekend" (2011). I don't get how "Weekend" was dragged for filth for featuring drug use, when it actually carries weight and adds an excellent level of depth to the characters! Yes, Paul is a druggie, so what then?

Go see this movie if you want to see a rocky relationship that may or may not work out in the end (no spoiler duh). But don't get you hopes up cause you'll be just as disappointed as I am.