Thursday, June 14, 2012
TWO LIVES
Today's gay film was a documentary and a NYTimes Critics' Pick
Chris and Don: A Love Story (2007)
tells the story of Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy and their life together.
They met when there was a considerable age difference and Bachardy outlived Isherwood. He tells their story with some talking heads to add some perspective.
This is more a story of a unique pair of men who met almost by accident and then led a life that was anything but accidental. They meant to stay together no matter what. There are crises. The problem of the age difference. The usual problems for gay men particularly for out gay men who are a couple at that time. And prominent. Isherwood was famous. Bachardy became so as an artist.
They saw it through to the death and that is a particularly poignant part of the story.
On top of the story itself, the production is quite well done. Great rhythm and movement.
Fortunately for the directors of this documentary, the principals took a lot of pictures and movies of themselves and their friends. Generous use is made of them.
I saw this before and was surprised to find more to it than I did the first time. I particularly admired Bachardy a lot more than I did the first round. Or do admire him.
This is a 5 out of Netflix5 for sure. I would gladly see it again, maybe not today, but tomorrow would be OK.
