Holding the Man

I admit, I was rather apprehensive to watch this movie because I knew it would not be easy since the subject matter was quite obviously not about entertaining but rather tackling a difficult subject matter. And so I waited for a long time before getting the courage to sit down and experience the story which is very strong and absolutely touching.

I'm not particularly fond of flashbacks in movies because they tend to be used as gimmicks and we need as viewers a proper clue that what we are seeing is in a different time frame. But I shouldn't have worried since the movie was directed and edited by people who know their craft and they were able to construct a beautiful love story.

The 2 leads are absolutely amazing and the acting is very strong from the whole cast so it was a pleasure to get into the story which, although difficult and certainly very sad, was also uplifting and amazingly well crafted. I particularly enjoyed Ryan Corr portrayal of the conceited, arrogant yet loving Timothy Conigrave character and he is lifting the movie to a higher plane full of pathos and subtleties.

Craig Matthew Stott as Conigrave's lover John Caleo is also very good with a subtle performance and his chemistry with Timothy is really strong. The ending which is always a sore subject for me when not done right was actually satisfying even if I knew that it couldn't be anything but sad yet, there is a quality to the script that makes it uplifting and very touching.

A solid 8 stars from me is well deserved and I would totally recommend it to anyone who is interested in this subject matter yet, be aware that this is no picnic in the park but a difficult yet inspiring journey into the romantic bond between 2 men who we feel truly love each other until the end.

Director Neil Armfield, who was at the charity screening of 'Holding the Man' I went to tonight, took a huge undertaking when he decided to direct the film of Tim Conigrave's autobiographical novel (A memoir that was an ode to Conigrave's lover and partner John Caleo). As Conigrave's book became such a well loved novel, and later a successful and highly regarded stage play. And now I am proud to say a very powerful and moving film.

The film 'Holding the Man' is filled with scenes that have such a strong emotional truth to them. Particularly for a gay man like myself, who experienced those years in the 80's and early 90's when AIDS took the lives of many friends and acquaintances; and when fear and ignorance of AIDS, and towards gay men, was the norm rather than the exception. However the centre of Conigrave's memoir was a love story that lasted 15+ years, and Ryan Corr (The Water Diviner, Banished, Love Child, ) and Craig Stott bare all in brilliant performances. Corr as the loud and opinionated Tim, and Stott as amiable and quiet John create an amazing chemistry on screen, and one that will earn them universal praise. However the great performances also extend to a roll call of top Australian acting talent that includes Geoffrey Rush, Guy Pearce, Anthony Lapaglia, Kerry Fox and Marcus Graham among many others. With a film spanning the 70's, 80's and 90's, it also has a great soundtrack of hits from the era.

Tim Conigrave died 10 days after writing 'Holding the Man', He probably had no understanding what a huge impact his book would have had on so many people across the world.

Read the book and go see this great Aussie movie.

Having seen a rather heavy-handed and pretentious play version of 'Holding the man' a few years ago, I had trepidations about seeing the film. I need not have worried as Neil Armfield's direction brings a truthful and touching reality to Timothy Conigrave's memoir. The slightly non-linear structure to the storytelling brings a cautious prescience to the audience that J.B. Priestley would be proud of, highlighting the sombre future awaiting our ill-fated protagonists. There are a few insightful parallels throughout the movie that deftly highlight the truths hidden between fact and fiction – there's a harrowing mirroring of grief portrayed in an audition to the agonising reality of death that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. The cinematography and music are judiciously time-specific as we travel through three decades with the characters. Each time-frame is beautifully evoked by film styles of the period and there's an accompanying soundtrack that is gloriously nostalgic. Both of the lead actors, Ryan Corr and Craig Stott, are perfectly cast as Tim and John respectively – each bringing a depth to these characters that makes them feel like family. The supporting cast are also superb; particularly Anthony LaPaglia, Camilla Ah Kin, Kerry Fox and Guy Pearce as the boys' parents. Special mention to Sarah Snook as their friend Pepe who resides on the periphery faithfully and staunchly. Also, there's a superb cameo from Geoffrey Rush as Tim's drama teacher at NIDA. It's graphic in places as it holds a powerful light over the passion of love and the bleakness of illness but the film is all the better for that; it shies away from nothing. Many fans of the original memoir should not be disappointed with this long-awaited adaptation and I am sure that if Timothy Conigrave was alive today, he'd be proud of this achievement in prolonging the legacy of his much-loved book.

As with most films adapted from the book, you'll only get half the story in a movie. The acting is superb and the story relatively faithful to the original novel but it has some flaws. Namely, I found the mixing up of dates confusing. They didn't really need to jump back and forwards, I'm not sure why they did that. There is a lot of sex with spunky guys which will get on the wrong side of any homophobes or the conservatives but it is a neccessary part of the story as it depicts a lot of how the gay male community interacts (I'm gay, I can vouch for this). Ultimately it ends in tragedy and is quite a moving film but having been one of my favourite books, I will always prefer that to this.

I am just as speechless as I guess the audiences would have been after watching the movie. I probably haven't cried this much since my boyfriend passed away because of AIDS as I did today. Tim & John are a wonderful couple. The days, months, years they spent together, the ups & downs they went through and finally the last days of John with Tim was heart-wrenching. I don't have words to express my feelings and thoughts. I just want to thank Neil Armfield to have made such a wonderful movie and to all it's cast and crew. I couldn't stop myself from giving a review to this movie. I think it's not justifiable that this movie has earned 7.3/10 wherein it should be a 10/10.

Kudos to everyone. Cheers!!!