"Keep The Lights On": Love and Other Harmful Things

Many films serve as a chronicle for a relationship, a parade of memorable episodes of romance, tragedy, and mutual triumph, but few feel as real as "Keep The Lights On" the new film from Ira Sachs. The story follows the 9 years of the relationship between Erik (Thure Lindhardt) who is a documentary filmmaker, and Paul (Zachary Booth) a lawyer. This tormenting romance that started as a one night stand expands into a melancholic search for love for both characters. The film is an exploration of the things that keep a relationship going: trust, sexual attraction, and most evidently love. In this case Erik is the one that loves the most, as we see him suffer throughout the film (and years that go by in it) trying to save Paul from his drug addiction and promiscuous ways.

 There is not much going on in the film. It is formed by poignant episodes in their relationship, such as their mutual love for art, countless sexual encounters, family dinners, an intervention, and many fights. In other words a diary of memories and moving pictures of the long and rocky path they traveled together, being Erik always the hurt one. The approach is so real in a way that it feels like if you are seeing it unfold in front of you at a very slow pace. These closeness to reality its a strength and a weakness. It feels so real because of the great performances, you believe this people have gone through some drama, the nuances in the characters interactions dilute that layer of detachment between the audience and the story, showing them raw. It becomes a weakness because at times it feels repetitive and like nothing crucial or a change is taking place (just like life feels most of the time).

The star of the film is Lindhardt as Erik. He carries himself with such a child-like aura, vulnerable, naive, and full of unscripted emotion at every moment. One can  feel that he is ready to go to hell and back with Paul if needed. Paul's frivolity towards Erik enhances this subtle sadness that is imprinted in the film even in the "happiest" moments. The title becomes visible as they try to keep the light on in their journey, to not stop and go, to keep it steady, to keep that fire going, but to such hope, there seems to be only one sad answer. Sachs presents a film that is gorgeously directed and shot in very warm tones, with elegant bedroom scenes, and a New York feel in the overall landscape of the film.

Having said all the positives, the film fails to come full circle, at least for me, because it never leaves that placid and subtle acceptance for heartbreak, it stays on the ground as a slice of life never giving us something more to wish for in the lives of this people. At some point the sex scenes feel out of place with no valid excuse to exist, and the most moving scenes are the ones filled with silences and meaningful gazes. For its great acting but sleepy storytelling "Keep The Lights On" gets a Grade B-. The film is out in theaters now in limited release.