In the documentary turned film, Julianne Moore and Ellen Page play domestic partners fighting to have equal rights.
In 2007, the short film Freeheld was presented to the world. Directed by Cynthia Wade, Freeheld focuses on the story of New Jersey police detective Laurel Hester, who has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, fighting to give her earned pension benefits to her partner, Stacie Andree. If it sounds like something that would be perfect to make into a film, you’d be right. A feature film version of Freehold will is coming in October, written by Ron Nyswaner (who wrote Philadelphia), and director Peter Sollett.
With the first trailer of Freeheld, it’s safe to say this could be a film that shakes up the Oscar race. Starring Julianne Moore as Hester and Ellen Page as Andree with a supporting cast of Michael Shannon and Steve Carell, the star power is there to gain the interest of viewers. The timing of the film couldn’t have been more perfect either, with the Supreme Court recently declaring same-sex marriages legal in all states. Freeheld is an important film that focuses on one of the important issues going on in society today and I’m excited to see it.
Based on the Oscar®-winning short documentary and adapted by the writer of Philadelphia, Freeheld is the true love story of Laurel Hester [Julianne Moore] and Stacie Andree [Ellen Page] and their fight for justice. A decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie. However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells [Michael Shannon], and activist Steven Goldstein [Steve Carell], unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defense, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality.
Freeheld is directed by Peter Sollett, is written by Ron Nyswaner, and stars Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, and Steve Carell. Freeheld will have a limited release on October 2, 2015 and a wide release on October 16, 2015.
