Spoiler Alert

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.

I gotta admit that I only watched the movie because it got a good review and I was totally under the impression that it was a comedy. At first, probably the first third of the movie was walking very close to the land of gay-cliché but somehow every moment when it got close to be like that, it didn't. Then, it turned into such a touching drama that I didn't see coming despite the opening scene. The crying scene at the doctor office was one of most heartbreaking scenes I have been in a while because it was so quiet and so real. It was very well-made and well-acted movie that gave a full spectrum of emotions from the beginning to the end. At the end, I was in the verge of crying but I didn't. Instead, I feel deeply moved and I thought it was even better than crying.

Ben Aldridge and Jim Parsons made one hell of an adorable and believable couple. Ben Aldridge in particularly was terrific in his role. He acted with such a confidence and sensibility that was so engaging. Jim Parsons was as reliable as ever as an actor. Also, Sally Field AKA the best mom in movies since Forrest Gump was sweet as a pie and brought such a warm tough to the movie that I enjoyed immensely. Well-done for whoever casted them for their roles.

I want to say I'm a bit sad that some people will watch at this movie and think "oh it is a tragic gay movie" and focus on the gay part. We can all recognize it is a movie about a gay couple and that is an important part of the story. However, ultimately, the movie is about love, loss and most importantly acceptance not just about their sexual orientations but also the unexpected moments in life. C'est la vie.

Given the jokey title,"Spoiler Alert," I expected very little from this movie, but it proved to be a pleasant surprise from start to finish, from the clever device of the flashbacks in sitcom frames to the excellent acting by a wonderful cast. Main characters Michael and Kit are very real young men, each with his own history and issues with coming out as gay. Jim Parsons does a beautiful, nuanced job portraying Michael, and there's the extra layer of Michael being portrayed by Jim Parsons, former star of a popular sitcom, telling about the pain of growing up in sitcom-staged scenes. The way that Kit's parents embraced him and his relationship with Michael was well done, thanks to the intelligent script and the performances of Sally Field and Bill Irwin.

This is a love story, heartfelt, funny, and affirming. Well-written and finely acted -- I recommend it.

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.

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!