Keep the Lights on [Blu-ray]

Maybe I'm just too much of an idealist, but I really think we are in desperate need for movies to inspire and re-energize us more than ever, and "Keep the Lights On" just doesn't do that. The film clearly has merits and bright spots, but over all, I found the story quite frustrating and sad to watch. Even though “Keep the Lights On” shows off the directorial talents of Ira Sachs, I suspect he made this film out of sentimental and personal reasons than out of a need to tell a compelling story … because this story is in fact not compelling and the two central characters are simply not interesting --unless you think snorting crack and sleeping with strangers is provocative and captivating, and I suppose there are some people who do.The viewer can’t help but to feel pity for the two young men, especially the main character of Erik that is played quite well by Thure Lindhardt (who reminds me of a young, short, round-faced Max Von Sydow). Erik is the one that we find is unable to learn and grow as a human being, and what this tells me is that the writers chose the wrong character for the story to revolve around. The more interesting of any two characters is the one who has the courage and ability to change for the better despite whatever handicap, and in this story that would be Paul portrayed extremely well by the highly talented and handsome Zachary Booth who definitely has a screen presence about him, and this basically pinpoints my frustration with the whole film I suppose. (I definitely found Paul to be the more appealing of the two characters, but then again, that could have been just lust, oops.)If the film has any intrinsic value at all it is in how it subtlety exposes the importance of compatibility in a successful relationship. Erik and Paul are quite successful at finding strangers to have sex with, but when it comes to building a more meaningful and lasting relationship between each other, it turns out that they either don't have the right chemistry or don't have the mutual will to do it, and as most of us already know, a romance cannot survive forever on lust alone. But I think the most interesting quality of the film, whether intentionally or not, is that it reveals how society, more so gay culture, is really not set up too well for loving relationships to last. We have way too many obstacles and distractions in our lives that gets in the way of first finding a suitable partner and, if we’re lucky to find a partner, prevents us from exploring the humanity of each other that leads to the fostering of a healthy, meaningful, and loving relationship that can survive time. "Keep the Lights On" is a heartfelt, well-intended, well-made made film that reflects reality with high quality acting, no doubt about it, but the sad truth of the matter is that most people know all about what can go wrong in a relationship; what we really need to see is how it can work despite the challenges. In this film, it kind of doesn't even matter because the two individuals were really not meant for each other anyway.

After looking over several reviews and rehashing several;scenes in this movie, I finally coalesced a critic of this film. In my HO. both Eric and Paul, should have walked away from each other--as in a 'one night stand!'It's obvious. I noticed every time Eric wanted to discuss their relationship, Paul would cut him off by saying he was late for work that Eric was smitten by Paul, but Paul was not smitten by Eric (first off, tells Eric:' don't get your hopes up I have a girlfriend.') Throughout this whole narrative, it is Eric going after Paul, and Paul just allowing Eric pursue him, holding back any sense of love for him (IMHO) Also, it was telling in how Paul would cut off Eric every time Eric wanted to discuss their relationship! (I'm late for work or I gotta go, I have a meeting , etc.!) Aside from his rehab stint, Paul; would disappear without any explanation and would reappear as if he just returned from the store! Again no reason for his absence!Paul did not love Eric, plain and simple! Why? Well,in addition to his long absences, .he set the pace of their relationship (in other words, controlled it!) and was almost indifferent to them getting back together again and gave Eric the ultimatum he knew Eric could not accept!(If Paul really loved Eric, he would not have given him this ultimatum, in fact he would have had that long needed conversation to set their relationship, right! ) In my 40+ years being 'out', I have never witnessed a successful relationship that was 'opened ended!' Both were cheating on each other and having phone sex and hookups! In time one of the hookups will turn into serious relationship! (I've seen it happen too many times to couples in such relationships). (Doesn't Paul tell Eric in their last reunion he is back with his ex-girlfriend? I think that was why Paul was so smug in giving Eric the ultimatum, because he was reconnecting with his ex, so if Eric did reject his proposal (which he did) he had his bases covered! (Another telling point was when Eric said 'I love you' and Paul says to himself "I wonder.)BTW: it looks like he and Igor will get together, but only for sex, as Igor admits he can't be faithful and whore's around!

Tragic story about a relationship which was doomed from the start. Erik was truly in love with Paul but Paul really did not reciprocate that love. Why would Paul give Erik an ultimatum at the end which was so unfair? Perhaps because he knew that Erik would not be able to agree to it in three hours. Evidently, he wanted out of the relationship as their final moments together reveals. As a matter of fact, Paul never took the relationship seriously and did not love Erik as his disappearance for days at a time to slip back into sex and drugs attests. Paul was often uncomfortable with his relationship with Erik, citing the Christmas party.Thure Lindhardt is brilliant in the role of Erik. He portrays unconditional love as well as Erik’s frustration and deep hurt which moved me to tears. Zachary Booth as Paul is excellent as well, revealing the heartless attitude of his character.The nine year relationship should never have happened in the first place. My heart aches for Erik at the end because he truly loved Paul and had to deal with the emptiness that suddenly overwhelmed his life. (But we know that he moved on into a long lasting relationship because the film is based on the life experience of Ira Sachs. Be sure to watch Making Of to get the details.)Don’t miss this beautiful, realistic film about love and relationships.

This tells the tumultuous story of Erik and Paul who met on a sex phone line and hooked up. Erik played by Thure Lindhardt (`Flame and Citron' and `Brotherhood') is a film maker which means he has a lot of down time, so gets `up' to stuff on the phone, if you get my drift. He is a Danish immigrant to the Big Apple and falls for the dashing but closeted, lawyer Paul - Zachary Booth (`Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist'). After a tentative but passionate start they start to get to know each other and that is when Pauls' habit for cocaine rears its ugly head.This spans a nine year period from 1998 and deals with the ups and downs, no pun intended there, with their relationship, trips to rehab, infidelity and the seeking of solace in hollow and empty sex, just like everyone's life at some point probably - if you are lucky enough that is. After all there is nothing worse than a dull life, but the problem with that is the pain that love can and often will put you through.This is filmed in an unobtrusive way and the acting is all brilliant Thure Lindhardt really holds the whole thing together and comes across as both genuine and caring. There is a fair bit of horizontal gymnastics but all done in the best possible taste, so nothing too strong to worry about or indeed look forward to. This though is a very honest exploration of a relationship with all its' attendant problems and the inevitable ultimatums that only real love can force you to make.This is mostly in English with a touch of Danish with a run time of 101 minutes but is so engaging that it feels shorter, whilst there are some painful to watch scenes, that is only because the actors have gained empathy which draws you into their story. This is for fans of gay cinema and actually anyone who cares about relationships or a love story that hurts- recommended.

After watching a lot of really good gay cinema during the last couple of weeks, this movie was like a lead balloon that completely destroyed my positive mood. There is not one single character to like in this movie. There was no real joy expressed between the two main actors at all, which made their relationship totally unbelievable. There is nothing romantic, sexy and touching about misery and self destruction. The sound track sounded like the sound of fingernails scrapping down the chalkboard and just added to grey tone of this torture - thank God for the mute button.I get the strong feeling that this movie script was written by an intellectual who lives in their head and has never experienced love from the heart.I will give credit to the lead actor Thure Lindhardt, who was the only person to remotely seem human in this film. Save yourself from wasting money on buying this film - there are many other excellent gay themed movies you can buy instead, that will uplift you and not bring you down.Very disappointed with this one and better to leave the lights off!

ok

Admitedly I bought this for the semi gay porno sex scenes (reason why I buy most of the gay films I buy). But this one is a little different. The guys are hot. The sex is also hot. Addiction is not. A watchable film.

I love this film. If youre thinking about watching it stop it and just watch it.