Freeheld (2015) Movie Review

『The Final Cry of Love for Truth and Justice』

🎥 Movie Overview

🎬 Title: Freeheld (2015)
🌍 Country: 🇺🇸 United States
🎞️ Genre: Drama / Based on True Story / LGBTQ+
🗓️ Production & Release: Summit Entertainment et al.
⏳ Runtime: 103 minutes
📢 Director: Peter Sollett
🖋️ Screenplay: Ron Nyswaner
📖 Source Material: 2007 Documentary “Freeheld” directed by Cynthia Wade
📺 Platforms: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+

👩‍💼 Cast: Julianne Moore – Laurel Hester
Elliot Page – Stacie Andree

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers)

💚 Secret Love and Truth

Laurel is a 23-year veteran police officer who keeps her personal life completely hidden at work. Her colleagues, including her partner Dane Wells, are unaware of her sexual orientation. One day, Laurel meets Stacie Andree, a young auto mechanic, and the two quickly fall in love, buying a home together in New Jersey and beginning a cohabiting relationship.

⚖️ Trials and Struggle

Not long after establishing a peaceful home, Laurel is diagnosed with terminal lung cancer. Her greatest wish is to ensure that Stacie can continue living in their home after her death by designating her as the beneficiary of her police pension, which she contributed to throughout her career.

At the time, New Jersey law allowed domestic partners to receive the same rights as spouses, including pension benefits. However, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders repeatedly rejected Laurel’s request, citing conservative reasons such as the “sanctity of marriage.”

😢 The Escalating Battle

As her illness weakens her, Laurel realizes her personal wish has become a public fight for civil rights. Initially shocked by her sexual orientation, her partner Dane Wells becomes enraged by the injustice and leads fellow heterosexual officers to support Laurel. Joining them is the determined and spirited LGBTQ+ activist Steven Goldstein, turning Laurel’s case into a nationwide issue.

Even as her condition deteriorates, Laurel attends board meetings, tearfully advocating for equality. Ultimately, public pressure and internal support (notably Dane Wells’ efforts) lead the board to unanimously approve her request, allowing Stacie to receive Laurel’s pension. Laurel passes away in early 2006, shortly after the decision.

🦋 Emotional Resonance and Significance

❤️ Noble True Story, Universal Love

The film’s greatest strength lies in its true story. The tale of a terminally ill veteran police officer, Laurel, fighting conservative institutions to ensure her domestic partner Stacie can remain in their home, delivers powerful emotional impact and resonance. It appeals not only to LGBTQ+ equality but also to the universal human instinct to protect a loved one.

🎥 Thin Characterization

Critics often point out the screenplay’s superficiality. As a typical "issue-driven" film, the story prioritizes delivering its political message over developing the characters’ depth.

Stacie’s reduced role: As the struggle intensifies, Stacie becomes confined to the role of the “suffering partner,” while Laurel’s long-time colleague Dane Wells (Michael Shannon) and activist Steven Goldstein (Steve Carell) drive the narrative.

Lack of romance: The early romance and development between Laurel and Stacie are treated too briefly and superficially, leaving insufficient time for the audience to emotionally connect. Consequently, the latter half’s battle feels more like a pursuit of social justice than the culmination of their passionate love.

⚖️ Uneven Direction

Based on a moving true story of dignity and equality, Julianne Moore and Elliot Page’s heartfelt performances evoke strong emotional responses. However, as a social-issue film, its focus on message delivery sacrifices narrative flow and character depth, leaving a sense of imbalance.

Even though the film was released after LGBTQ+ marriage legalization, it offers a valuable lesson on how equality transcends legal frameworks to affect personal lives and dignity. Yet, those expecting the raw power and impact of the original documentary may find it a polished and safely packaged drama.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥
⭐ Rating: ★★★