Spoiler Alert

Perhaps I'm biased because the two leads, Parsons and Aldridge, did a QA at my theater but I enjoyed this film a lot. It was a heartfelt romance movie that was very humorous too, with comedy sprinkled even amidst the horribly sad parts. Ben Aldridge gave a spectacular performance throughout, displaying his range impeccably. That this was inspired by a book-and the actors mention drawing immensely from the original source material and relics of Kit Cowan-made this story all the more compelling. I laughed, cried, all of it, at this movie. It wasn't exceptional, nothing stood out in monumental ways, but as far as good holiday romance movies go, this is up there.

Just when you think this 2022 dramedy will succumb to predictable tropes that harken back to "Love Story" and "Brian's Song", director Michael Showalter does something quite unexpected whether it's the persistent use of a 1980's-era sitcom or the meet-cute set-up that felt like it came from the same spandex-heavy era. The title is a cheeky reference to the inevitable conclusion of this love story, but it's the quirky way he and co-writers David Marshall Grant and Dan Savage handle the otherwise somber material. Based on Michael Ausiello's real-life relationship with photographer Kit Cowan, it follows their fourteen years together in episodic fashion but forsakes heavy scene chewing for more subtle character development. Not all of the scenes work, but the performances resonate. As Michael, Jim Parsons doesn't shed years of playing Sheldon but moves quite effectively into emotionally complex territory even if his Shirley MacLaine moment came across a bit forced. No stranger to this genre, Sally Field plays Kit's mother with touching grace and strength, and her triathlete aspirations reminded me how she could run to Texas and back but not Shelby in "Steel Magnolias". However, the film's real standout is Ben Aldridge as Kit. His magnetic presence lends a natural charm to the comedy scenes, and he brings genuine pathos to the most devastating moments. This is definitely an actor to watch in the future.

Most LGBTQ movies you see are riddled with stereotypes, sex and falsehoods. This is one that doesn't fall into those things, but shows you a genuine adult homosexual relationship and how it truly is. The good times and the hard times, this film doesn't pull it's emotional punches. Bring tissues, you will need them for the final act that, while sad, isn't meant to be spirit breaking. Instead, I felt it was uplifting. While it does get off to a rocky start by just throwing us into this story, it quickly grows on you after the initial start. I don't particularly care for Jim Parsons but I felt he was perfect for the role and the chemistry he eventually attains with the other lead is palpable and felt. Highly recommended, as it's one of the most true to life depictions of a gay relationship.

4.5 heartbreaks out of 5.

I really enjoyed this movie. I am not gay, I am a straight woman so I can't say how well it portrays the gay lifestyle as others here have done but I can say it was done in a way that wasn't over the top or flamboyant the way most shows portraying gay men do.

My biggest surprise was Jim Parson's acting. I knew he was great on TBBT, but honestly didn't know if he had the acting chops to pull this part off. But oh yes he did, and then some. Everyone in this movie was top notch.

So why only 7 stars? I guess it's mostly because it wasn't the passionate romance tear-jerker I was led to believe it would be. Did they really have that great a love? I believe for any relationship to work you have to have the complete triad of love, trust and respect. Here, we had cheating (so you have lost trust and respect right there) and they drifted apart and broke up (so a lack of true devotional love). I felt the only reason they got back together was because Kit was dying. Would they have otherwise? It felt like most likely not.

So it lost much of the emotion punch that would come from truly losing the love of his life. It was a sad and emotional, but for me maybe not for the reasons that they tried to portray in this movie. I felt in the end that Michael lost his best friend more than he did someone he loved passionately at that point. Still very emotional but not overly heart-wrenching in that lost the love of my life way I think they were trying to go for.

But it was a good movie, the acting was top-notch, there was great chemistry between Parsons and Aldridge and I felt the pacing was very good. Well worth the watch!

Finally a movie that shows the ups and downs of love. The genders don't matter to me at all, it was refreshing to see love between two people in such a raw and real way. The high of the initial meeting and first dates, the awkward family meeting, the normal relationship struggles, and the power of love through the darkest of times. Many of us never experience that full level of commitment in a relationship. I don't care what you think about same sex relationships, this is a very raw and heartfelt connection between two people who love each other through multiple struggles. I felt so many emotions while watching this movie. Very well done!