Freeheld (2015)
TOMATOMETER
AUDIENCE SCORE
Critic Consensus: Freeheld certainly means well, but its cardboard characters and by-the-numbers drama undermine its noble intentions.
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Cast
as Laurel Hester
as Stacie Andree
as Dane Wells
as Steven Goldstein
as Bryan Kelder
as Todd Belkin
as Carol Andree
as Quesada
as Pat Gerry
as Reynolds
as Bill Johnson
as Margaret
as Peter Santucci
as Toohey
as Don Bennett
as Dan Wickery
as Stacie's Teammate
as Jake
as Town Clerk
as Lynda Hester
as Estelle
as Protester
as Father John
as Jeeter
as Maya Kelder
as Thug
as Stacie's Teammate
as Maggie
as Honor Guard
as Derrick
as TV Reporter
as Harriet
as Dr. Sarah Tonner
as Security Guard
as Driver of Jeep
as Hannah
as Cat
as Stacie's Team Member
as Chrisy Miller
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Critic Reviews for Freeheld
All Critics (132) | Top Critics (31) | Fresh (63) | Rotten (69) | DVD (1)
Freeheld assigns its most dynamic arcs to the straight characters who align themselves, sooner or later, with Laurel and Stacie.
Page and Julianne Moore, who plays Hester, have an easy if not electric chemistry, but they seem hamstrung by the movie-of-the-week tropes and Peter Sollett's plodding direction.
[Freeheld] is sincere, to be sure, but unlikely to win any prizes. For starters, the most memorable character in this important story of a courageous woman is a man; that's a problem.
"Freeheld" is a snapshot of a notable American moment.
It hits the right sentimental moments but doesn't truly touch hearts as it settles into courtroom drama mode.
It's a stiff, overly calculated piece of awards bait that has all the elements of an Academy Awards triumph - except a beating heart.
Audience Reviews for Freeheld
An emotional tribute-film to Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree. They were a gay couple, who reluctantly turn activists, when Hester was denied the ability to assign her death benefits to her partner, Andree. The acting is stellar if the direction is not. The storyline takes a predictable note, but none of that matters. By the time you see photographs of the real Hester and Andree at the end of the movie, you'll be wiping away tears.
Super Reviewer
Heartfelt and heartrending, "Freeheld" is a real tearjerker of injustice, loss and hope. The dialogue lacks inspiration, but the intimate acting of Moore and Page make up for it.
Super Reviewer
Freeheld Quotes
| Laurel Hester: | The only thing I care about is justice for the woman I love. |
| Laurel Hester: | In my career I've never asked for special treatment, I'm only asking for equality. |
| Laurel Hester: | I kind of like the idea of being the kept woman |