Freeheld

Freeheld is a 2015 American drama film directed by Peter Sollett and written by Ron Nyswaner. The film is based on the true story of Laurel Hester, a police officer in Ocean County, New Jersey, who was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. The story centers around her legal battle to transfer her pension benefits to her domestic partner, Stacie Andree. Freeheld stars Julianne Moore as Laurel Hester and Ellen Page as Stacie Andree, with supporting performances from Michael Shannon as Dane Wells, Hester's police partner, and Steve Carell as Steven Goldstein, an activist who supports their cause.

Plot

The film opens with Laurel Hester, a decorated police detective in Ocean County, New Jersey, meeting and falling in love with Stacie Andree, a younger mechanic. As their relationship develops, Laurel is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Faced with her mortality, Laurel wishes to ensure that her pension benefits are passed on to Stacie, securing her financial future. However, the county's board of chosen freeholders denies her request, citing regulations that do not recognize their domestic partnership as equivalent to marriage. With the help of her police partner, Dane Wells, and activist Steven Goldstein, Laurel embarks on a public fight for justice that garners national attention.

Production

Freeheld was inspired by the 2007 documentary of the same name, which won an Academy Award for Best Short Documentary. The transition from a documentary to a feature film aimed to bring broader awareness to the issues of LGBT rights and equality. The film's production began in October 2014, with filming locations in New York and New Jersey.

Reception

Upon its release, Freeheld received mixed reviews from critics. While the performances of Moore and Page were widely praised, some critics felt that the film did not delve deeply enough into the complexities of its real-life story. Despite this, Freeheld was recognized for its contribution to the discussion of LGBT rights and was seen as an important film for its portrayal of a landmark case in the fight for equality.

Themes

The central theme of Freeheld is the fight for LGBT rights and equality, particularly in the context of legal recognition of domestic partnerships. The film also explores themes of love, mortality, and the power of activism. Through the personal story of Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree, Freeheld highlights the broader struggle for recognition and rights within the LGBT community.

Cast

• Julianne Moore as Laurel Hester
• Ellen Page as Stacie Andree
• Michael Shannon as Dane Wells
• Steve Carell as Steven Goldstein

See Also

• LGBT rights in the United States
• Same-sex marriage in the United States
• Civil union