Jim de Seve's documentary explores the argument for gay marriage by focusing on two same-sex couples.
Tying the Knot (2005)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:34
Fresh:30
Rotten:4
Average Rating:7/10
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Oct 1, 2004 Limited
Synopsis: One of the hottest topics at the 2004 Presidential election was the issue of gay marriage and whether it should be legalized. Jim de Sève directs this fascinating look at the issue, taking into... One of the hottest topics at the 2004 Presidential election was the issue of gay marriage and whether it should be legalized. Jim de Sève directs this fascinating look at the issue, taking into account two extremely important cases. The first involves Mickie, who loses her wife during a bank robbery. With the authorities unwilling to recognize their union, Mickie is stripped of the usual benefits bestowed on a widower. De Sève's second case looks at the life of a rancher named Sam, who lost his husband and faces brutal recriminations from the family of his deceased partner. TYING THE KNOT presents these cases in a sympathetic light, showing how hurtful these situations can be to the bereaved, as well as highlighting how things would be different if the gay community enjoyed the freedoms afforded to straight married couples. A bold piece of filmmaking that runs the full gamut of human emotions, De Sève offers a clear and concise case for a change in the marriage law. [More]
Director: Jim de Sève
Director: Jim de Sève
Studio: IDP Distribution
Get This Movie
Reviews for Tying the Knot
This documentary by Jim de Seve succeeds anyway, by putting a poignant human face on the struggle for equal rights.
It does a decent job of taking a broad issue and showing the impact it has on individuals.
Tying the Knot is a flawed work that succeeds on the merits of its highly touching personal stories and its irrefutable debate.
De Seve brings together the stories, documenting them and not drilling rhetorically.
Informative documentary about the recent history of efforts to legalize gay marriage, tying these in with the history of marriage as an institution. Packed with information.
Seve's absorbing documentary about gay marriage is most persuasive when most specific.
Not only offers useful information but contains moments of gravity and pathos that genuinely touch the heart.
Exhibits an accomplished maturity from the first-time director, deftly applying a dry wit, a healthy sense of irony, and a nonexploitive approach to emotionality.
Like most hot-button documentaries, its impact is debatable, but filmmaker Jim de Seve makes an effective, an often moving case, for tolerance.
Regardless which side of the argument you are on, Tying the Knot is worth seeing for its political relevance and the human stories of those caught in the middle.
This no-frills documentary effectively appeals to the viewer’s compassion.
What gives this lively, incisive and comprehensive documentary its punch is that it sets its survey of the movement's progress and setbacks against accounts of two people who lost their life partners and suffered dire economic consequences.
An empowering, optimistic experience, humanizing the issue through poignant profiles.
A quietly effective exploration of the divisive subject of gay marriage in America.
Documentarian Jim de Seve's cogent pro-gay-marriage argument appeals equally to emotion and reason.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
| 53% 53% | David & Layla |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Tying the Knot at Rotten Tomatoes
- Tying the Knot at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



