Keep the Lights On

A gay film-maker finds himself in a turbulent romance with a closeted literary agent in this independent drama set in New York. Writer/director Ira Sachs draws on his own relationship with agent Bill Clegg who also penned a confessional, Portrait of an Addict as a Young Man. Beginning in 1997 and unfolding through the subsequent decade, the story explores how a liaison initially founded on sexual need (the two connect on a gay chat line) develops into a deeper bond tested over time by drug addiction, jealousy and wandering desire. There's potential for ripe melodrama here, but Sachs prefers a subtle approach, exploring everyday moments rather than violent confrontation. It's beautifully shot, delivering a grainy period feel, and the leads Thure Lindhardt (the insecure film-maker) and Zachary Booth (the self-destructive lover) give controlled performances in tune with the overall design. The trouble is, it's just a bit too low-key and the unsympathetic couple tests our patience, so the finale isn't as emotionally charged as Sachs intends.