Keep the Lights On is a touching and emotionally mature romantic drama about an off-off relationship between filmmaker Erik (Thure Lindhardt) and as Erik literary lawyer Paul (Zachary Booth).
What each assumes will be a brief sexual encounter grows into a relationship which spans almost two decades but is repeatedly derailed by Paul’s sex and drug addictions.
As his partner succumbs to each episode, Erik strives to guide him back on track but as the film progresses the pair head towards an unwelcome conclusion.
One of the best relationship dramas of recent years, Keep the Lights On is loosely based on Directed and co-writer Ira Sachs’ own relationship with a publisher.
The film catches up with the couple at various key stages in their relationship, each less positive than the other and with the greater emotional detachment between the two increasingly obvious.
Sachs makes repeated use of close ups to convey the couple’s emotions and passions which the script, co-written with Mauricio Zacharias, offers a mature and unflinching look the complications of loving an addict.
Keep the Lights On is currently showing as part of the 27th BFI London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and is also available on DVD and Blu-ray from Amazon.co.uk.
Our verdict: 4/5
