The love between George and Ben (Alfred Molina and John Lithgow, respectively) is perfectly normal. They're gay, but nobody thinks that's strange anymore. (Right? They shouldn't, anyway.) They live a simple life in New York City, and as the film opens, the two are marrying after 39 years as partners. Alas, their decision to marry costs George his job teaching music at a Catholic school, which considers the marriage to be a public stance against the church—at which point the couple are forced to sell their apartment and stay with friends and family while trying to get back on their feet. Even though the relationship between Ben and George is the anchor of the film, these two get precious few scenes together. But when they do, the whole struggle makes sense: They are perfect together. You want them to be together. They make you care about what happens in their ordinary lives. by Elinor Jones