Watch Holding the Man

Holding the Man is a 2015 Australian movie directed by Neil Armfield, based on the 1995 memoir of the same name by Timothy Conigrave. The story portrays the real-life love story of two young Australian men John Caleo (Ryan Corr) and Timothy Conigrave (Craig Stott) who met in the late 1970s while attending an all-boys Catholic school in Melbourne, and fell in love with each other.

The film takes the viewer on a journey of their relationship, from the excitement of their first kiss at a school play auditions to their years of long-distance love and ultimately their tumultuous journey as John falls ill during the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. However, the love story is not the only focus of the movie, it also shows the societal, legal and medical struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community at the time, and the ignorance and prejudice they encountered in their battle for acceptance and equal rights.

One of the strengths of the film is Ryan Corr's remarkable portrayal of John, a young man struggling to accept his sexuality under the weight of societal expectations and religious dogma. His raw and emotional depiction of the character's struggle is both nuanced and captivating. Similarly, Craig Stott's portrayal of Timothy is equally impressive, showcasing the character's brave determination to love openly in the face of discrimination.

The supporting cast members are also notable, with Sarah Snook playing a standout role as John's girlfriend, Pepe, who upon discovering his homosexuality, struggles to come to terms with the realities of their relationship. Anthony LaPaglia, as John's father Bob, provides a poignant performance as a loving father with conservative beliefs who struggles to reconcile his loyalty to his son with his own beliefs.

The cinematography is also noteworthy, as the movie effectively captures the essence of the different decades in which the story unfolds. The camera angles and lighting used to capture the 1970s and 80s scenes are particularly impressive, with creative use of color and hue to capture the changing tones of the story.

The director, Neil Armfield, has created a film that is at once a celebration of the human capacity to love and the beauty of the LGBTQ+ community, and a stark reminder of the challenges that marginalized communities face in their struggle for equality. He manages to steer the story away from being solely about HIV/AIDS, to capture the emotional impact the epidemic had on individuals, families, and society as whole.

In summary, Holding the Man is a poignant and heart-wrenching love story that captures the lives of two individuals and their community during a period of social and political upheaval. The film portrays an authentic and unadulterated account of the experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in Australia during the late 20th century. It is a movie that is relatable to a broad audience, regardless of their backgrounds and sexual orientation. The movie serves as a reminder of the importance of embracing diversity and reflects on the power of love in the face of adversity.

Holding the Man is a 2015 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 8 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.4.