Love Life (2006) User Reviews

Free at last.

[gj62 · 4/10 · 18 August 2007]

What to say about this movie? A married couple has more then just each other. After playing around for some time things gets more serious. A difficult choice has to be made: continue the old situation or start all over by following the heart. Guess what happens at the end.

This movie seems to be very low budget. But a good story don't have to be expensive. It looks like a play that has been converted to a movie only by using several cheap locations (at least very little other people visible) more than just the stage, in this one the house. From the first minute future developments are clear as water. Nothing unexpected happens. Sometimes you may think watching a soft porn movie, in which case you know in advance that there's no story.

I find this movie disappointing so that's explains the vote (4).

Nice concept, a little clunky

[dan_golfsat · 4/10 · 29 August 2009]

"Love Life" explores a very culturally relevant scenario of a marriage of convenience between a lesbian and a gay man. I found the subject matter compelling, even if the conflict was a bit forced and too easily resolved. For example, Thomas falls for Joe a little too quickly and conveniently for the plot. There are many continuity errors: one other user commented on different cars in the garage, Joe's glasses...the one that got to me the most was the fact Joe's facial hair configuration seemed to change from scene to scene. In the end, I found myself more turned-on by this movie than moved. Stephan D. Gill has a pretty nice body and shows it all quite a few times with pornstar skill and exuberance, and all-too-often acting chops to match. Many times, the movie seems like it is going to go full-on porn. Stephanie Kirchen does a fine job, but her moment of enlightenment at the end was sullied a bit for me, since I was in the mood for a good romp in the shower by the end of this movie.

Enjoyable

[JacksPgh · 14 July 2008]

I rarely write comments on film. I watch the directors commentary when I enjoyed the film. I enjoyed the commentary as much as the film. That prompted me to write a commentary.

I didn't see Keith or Aura were necessarily, "troublemakers". Particularly Aura, who was an old friend and saw that this marriage was coming to an end and wanted to be sure that her friend's eyes were open as to what was transpiring.

Keith is a bit of a trouble maker. He wants to make Joe aware that there are other options available to him. Keith stalking the house is a bit much, a little unstable. Perhaps he sees this as an desperate opportunity, to maybe find a partner, as his life sounds to be a mess.

Keith is kind of lost and, maybe grasping at straws at this point and perhaps sees someone that will need him. He is perhaps opportunistic, but in his mind, had good intentions. Not so much as a trouble maker.

Everone sees this marriage as over except Joe and Mary.

The park scenes reminds me of "Neverland". I'm not sure why. Perhaps the voyeuristic shots. I suppose film makers are truly voyeuristic and that comes through in many of the shots.

I would have loved to have a scene with Aura and Keith confronting the obvious farce of there friends marriage. It could have been an interesting conversation.

I'm a bit disappointed Damien posed both male figures as ex-jocks. It wasn't necessary. Every gay man's fantasy I suppose.

Loved the interviewer.

Joe finally takes it out of the garage, even if the car is an obvious symbol of some sort of success. The film is very "LA" but translates. The car being a California icon.

Joe is a horn dog and probably will continue cruising the park. Mary will continue being icy. They will remain who they are but with out the plastic. No happy endings just happier endings as is life

Sucks big time...not in a good way.

[emerald-294-746620 · 1/10 · 16 February 2012]

I really disagree with the other reviews. We all have opinions but can respectfully have different views.

This movie was so bad it just smelled. The story is very soap opera, simplistic and very poorly acted.

The two women are the worst. If the men didn't look so good this movie wouldn't have been watchable at all. Don't get your hopes up for seeing any genitalia. One breast (female) and very, very quick glimpses of one man's flaccid penis. The shooting of the sex scenes was ridiculous. Not sensual, enticing or erotic. Dialogue is juvenile. Camera work is sloppy. Seemed to be very little attention to continuity.

The filmmakers did use a clever idea for set decoration. The story was placed in a home undergoing renovation so they just covered every wall with sheets of plastic. The only clever thing about the movie.

Don't waste your time.

Continuity

[sjvoss · 7/10 · 20 March 2009]

Repeatedly throughout the movie, Joe's glasses seem to disappear. Does he or does he not need them to read the newspaper? Does he not need them to drive the BMW to the park, but needs them to get back home again?

And where does the BMW disappear to, when Mary and Aura get ready to leave for the airport? Wasn't it parked in the left spot in the 2-car garage?

Where is there room in a 2-car garage for the red Mustang? Isn't it off to the right? Did someone steal Joe's BMW? (Wedding present from mother-in-law??)

But, overall, we enjoyed this movie. Although it was predictable, it was nice to see a movie where BOTH main characters got what they wanted, without yelling, screaming, hateful recriminations.

An Open Marriage of Convenience

[ljmcfarland · 7/10 · 27 November 2007]

I really enjoyed this movie more than I expected to. It reminded me in a minor way of the relationship between Ennis and his wife in Brokeback. In both instances we have men who feel trapped within a marriage that they felt was the right thing to do. In this instance, we have the additional variation of the wife not only accepting both their extracurricular affairs, but feeling that she should control what men her husband has relationships with. There's symbolism here. Their home, much like their relationship, is unfinished, and under construction. Sheets of plastic protect the walls and cabinets much like condoms and dental dams. He has a red 64 Mustang convertible. the only thing that he owns and can have any control over, yet it sits in the garage, unable to be fully enjoyed and displayed proudly in public for being something so hot and desirable... just like it's owner. Although I generally fast forward past lesbian love making scenes, there's a section where the women are enjoying themselves secretly in one room while the men are enjoying themselves locked in the bathroom and the scenes are concurrent. Husband and wife are making love, together, yet separately and with different people. Lastly Mr. Gill is very attractive, and it's great to see Ronnie Kerr in a minor roll after seeing him in the sweet movie "Regarding Billy"

A Nice Low-Key Film

[bustersdad · 8/10 · 21 August 2007]

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this film and it was not only because Steven D. Gill is VERY easy to watch. . .

I would agree that this film reminds me of a short play that was made into a film--in a very good way. There is not a lot of extraneous dialog or action. The focus is on the main character's false marriage and the way that it weighs upon the couple. It left me wanting to know more about what eventually happened to the characters, just like a well written short story.

There are a couple of sexy scenes that I would probably be uncomfortable watching while sitting next to my mother but they are appropriate to the story. And, again, Steven Gill, is very easy to watch in them!

If you are in the mood for a quiet, and at times, sexy story I recommend this one.

Unexpected, yet great!!

[eggnogbrownie · 10/10 · 12 September 2007]

When I saw the DVD cover, I knew that I would enjoy Stephan Gill's body, but I didn't know I would enjoy this much as a movie.

It is hard to categorize this as a gay movie and compare it with other films of the same genre because it's a story about a closeted former pro athlete husband and a self-denial lesbian wife, who got married for convenience.

There are a lot of steamy scenes, which both gay men and lesbians could enjoy, and the story concludes with realizing one's mistakes, improving from that point.

The greatest line comes from Stephanie Kirchen's character Mary when she was getting an interview and realizing her flaws. It goes as followed;

"I don't think anybody ever really knows what they're getting into. I think we have an idea of what we'd like to do, or we think we should do and it's important. And....somehow, somewhere along the line that all gets tangled up to the point that we can't separate our needs from the needs of others."

BTW, this is Stephan's first acting gig. Not bad for the first acting! :)

A film that plays well for gays and lesbians

[pjohn39-1 · 10/10 · 29 July 2008]

Love Life is a movie that tells the story of the false prison we keep ourselves in. Yet we all have the key to unlock the door. It's one of those few films that plays well for gay and lesbians. Yes, it's a gay themed movie but it examines what many of us go through in our quest for self acceptance be it gay or straight. The acting of the cast, Stephen D. Gill, Keith A. Beardon, Stephanie Kirchen and Jill Cozine is top notch! It's classy, erotic, sensual and thought provoking. It shows that if you allow yourself to be honest you can unlock the true person inside of you. Damion Dietz who directed this film did an outstanding job! You will not be disappointed buying this DVD.