Holding the Man

As with most films adapted from the book, you'll only get half the story in a movie. The acting is superb and the story relatively faithful to the original novel but it has some flaws. Namely, I found the mixing up of dates confusing. They didn't really need to jump back and forwards, I'm not sure why they did that. There is a lot of sex with spunky guys which will get on the wrong side of any homophobes or the conservatives but it is a neccessary part of the story as it depicts a lot of how the gay male community interacts (I'm gay, I can vouch for this). Ultimately it ends in tragedy and is quite a moving film but having been one of my favourite books, I will always prefer that to this.

Having seen a rather heavy-handed and pretentious play version of 'Holding the man' a few years ago, I had trepidations about seeing the film. I need not have worried as Neil Armfield's direction brings a truthful and touching reality to Timothy Conigrave's memoir. The slightly non-linear structure to the storytelling brings a cautious prescience to the audience that J.B. Priestley would be proud of, highlighting the sombre future awaiting our ill-fated protagonists. There are a few insightful parallels throughout the movie that deftly highlight the truths hidden between fact and fiction – there's a harrowing mirroring of grief portrayed in an audition to the agonising reality of death that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. The cinematography and music are judiciously time-specific as we travel through three decades with the characters. Each time-frame is beautifully evoked by film styles of the period and there's an accompanying soundtrack that is gloriously nostalgic. Both of the lead actors, Ryan Corr and Craig Stott, are perfectly cast as Tim and John respectively – each bringing a depth to these characters that makes them feel like family. The supporting cast are also superb; particularly Anthony LaPaglia, Camilla Ah Kin, Kerry Fox and Guy Pearce as the boys' parents. Special mention to Sarah Snook as their friend Pepe who resides on the periphery faithfully and staunchly. Also, there's a superb cameo from Geoffrey Rush as Tim's drama teacher at NIDA. It's graphic in places as it holds a powerful light over the passion of love and the bleakness of illness but the film is all the better for that; it shies away from nothing. Many fans of the original memoir should not be disappointed with this long-awaited adaptation and I am sure that if Timothy Conigrave was alive today, he'd be proud of this achievement in prolonging the legacy of his much-loved book.

I wasn't searching for a movie about aids. The subject usually gives me a very uneasy feeling. I don't want to remember those days when some very good friends of mine died in agony in front of my eyes. I was quite young back then, and did I really understand what happened? No, when you're young life looks endless. So when this movie, unexpectedly for me, because I had not read anything about it, brought up the aids subject, I had to take a deep breath. But the movie is so well executed that it is much more than an aids drama. This movie is a piece of human history and every high school student should see it. I am in my 50s and now aids is something of the past, thanks to great medicine. It cuts through my heart that young men like ones in this film had no chance at all. Especially in the 80s gay liberation wasn't that far, and so much human needs have been denied to these men. Thank god society has improved on these levels, and it only could by telling these important stories.

I was given the book by a friend from Australia in about '97,I have read it countless times through the years.

I never thought anyone would be able to bring the story to the screen, as Tim had written a remarkable story.

Finally seeing the movie, I can only say that it does indeed do the book justice. No movie can wholly compete with a brilliant and beautifully crafted book, the best it can hope to do is convey the story and the spirit of the book - this movie does just that.

I fell in love with John and Tim all over again, 19 years later. The love they shared, the pain they endured both John's physical and Tim's emotional came back to me as emotionally as it had in the book. (I wept through the end of the book) Was my emotional response a reaction to the movie on it's own, or in part to the memory of the book? I do not know. I do know that Craig Stott's portrayal of John was, for me, spot on, as was Ryan Corr's portrayal of Tim. The story, the spirit and the essence of these two beautiful men is definitely captured and resonate through this film.

I admit, I was rather apprehensive to watch this movie because I knew it would not be easy since the subject matter was quite obviously not about entertaining but rather tackling a difficult subject matter. And so I waited for a long time before getting the courage to sit down and experience the story which is very strong and absolutely touching.

I'm not particularly fond of flashbacks in movies because they tend to be used as gimmicks and we need as viewers a proper clue that what we are seeing is in a different time frame. But I shouldn't have worried since the movie was directed and edited by people who know their craft and they were able to construct a beautiful love story.

The 2 leads are absolutely amazing and the acting is very strong from the whole cast so it was a pleasure to get into the story which, although difficult and certainly very sad, was also uplifting and amazingly well crafted. I particularly enjoyed Ryan Corr portrayal of the conceited, arrogant yet loving Timothy Conigrave character and he is lifting the movie to a higher plane full of pathos and subtleties.

Craig Matthew Stott as Conigrave's lover John Caleo is also very good with a subtle performance and his chemistry with Timothy is really strong. The ending which is always a sore subject for me when not done right was actually satisfying even if I knew that it couldn't be anything but sad yet, there is a quality to the script that makes it uplifting and very touching.

A solid 8 stars from me is well deserved and I would totally recommend it to anyone who is interested in this subject matter yet, be aware that this is no picnic in the park but a difficult yet inspiring journey into the romantic bond between 2 men who we feel truly love each other until the end.