Ira Sachs’ Independent Spirit-nominated gay drama is so feeble and feelingless that it is a wonder it has managed to garner any positive feedback. An autobiographical account of a relationship he once had with a literary agent, Keep The Lights On is Sachs’ fifth feature, though one would be forgiven for thinking it was his first. 

 

After breaking up with his HIV-positive boyfriend, filmmaker Erik Rothman (Thure Lindhardt) begins an intermittent 9-year relationship with Paul Lucy (Zachary Booth), a drug-abusing lawyer. In between, a male prostitute is hired, rehab is visited and phone sex lines are called….

 

The picture’s principal problem is that we are only ever shown glimpses into Erik and Paul’s volatile relationship; hence, the audience is unable to build a lasting connection with either of the characters. This makes us incapable of empathizing with their issues.

 

As the drama progresses it becomes increasingly irritating to observe: it is akin to a petulant child whose whining grows infuriatingly louder by the second. When the denouement finally approaches, one not only rejoices that their relationship is over but that the picture is too. 

 

A more serious flaw, however, is the casting of Lindhardt as the drama’s lead: the Danish actor’s contrived performance leaves us unable to take him seriously. He stumbles through his lines, often appearing unsure of what he really means to say. In the most heated scenes, he is wooden and emotionless; a horrific misfire at the very least.

 

 

 

 

Sadly, Sachs’ silver screen portrayal of his relationship does not make for compelling cinema. My guess is that the final product is little more than a step-by-step account of what really happened: the script’s most glaring blunder. To create good cinema one has to murder one’s darlings – 

exaggerate details, delete gratuitous scenes and relentlessly revise – so that every moment serves a greater purpose.

 

Someone go tell Sachs, please?

 

 

Stars - ★★

 

Reviewed by Rehan Mudannayake

 

 

 

Keep the Lights On (2012)

 

Drama

 

In Manhattan, filmmaker 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